The World Economic Forum (WEF) has recognized the UAE PASS as a global model for integrated government digital infrastructure, highlighting the national digital identity platform as a benchmark for digital transformation, government integration and user-centric public services.
The recognition was featured in the WEF report, ‘The GovTech Compass: Ten Principles for the Responsible Implementation of GovTech and Digital Public Infrastructure’, which cited UAE PASS under its seventh principle, ‘From Digital Maximalism to Digital Pragmatism’.
The report recommended that governments adopt shared, reusable national digital infrastructure instead of developing separate digital systems across government entities. It identified UAE PASS as a practical example of a unified digital platform that enables government entities to share digital capabilities, improve service efficiency, strengthen interoperability and enhance user experience.
The report states that UAE PASS is a unified national digital identity and signature used across all emirates; agencies integrate the shared capability instead of building separate logins and e-signature tools, keeping new development focused on service-specific needs rather than reinventing infrastructure.
Report highlights shared digital infrastructure
Introducing the UAE PASS case study, the report said governments should avoid building new digital solutions when existing systems can be reused or improved, stressing that ‘simplicity and restraint are virtues’.
It warned that duplicative technology investments can waste public funds, create fragmented systems, increase complexity and reduce interoperability. The report recommends assessing the necessity of new GovTech projects, reusing existing digital infrastructure where possible, mapping workflows before digitization and conducting cost-benefit analyses that consider social, environmental and operational impacts.
The WEF also called for standardized reference architectures, outcome-based performance metrics and energy-efficient digital infrastructure to improve government services while reducing complexity.
UAE PASS cited as global benchmark
The report concluded that the UAE PASS ecosystem serves as a global benchmark for innovation-led digital public infrastructure and offers valuable lessons for governments developing integrated digital services.
Developed through a partnership between Digital Dubai, the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) and the Department of Government Enablement – Abu Dhabi, UAE PASS provides a unified national digital identity that enables users to securely access government and private sector services and digitally sign documents across the UAE.
The platform was developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior, the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP), and the Dubai Electronic Security Center.
More than 12 million users
UAE PASS has surpassed 12 million registered users and facilitates millions of digital transactions annually across hundreds of government and private sector services.
Officials said that the platform has evolved beyond a digital authentication tool into a key component of the UAE’s digital economy by enabling proactive services, strengthening digital trust and supporting a seamless, integrated government experience.
The recognition comes as the UAE continues to strengthen its global digital competitiveness, ranking first regionally and 11th globally in the Digital Government Development Index, reflecting its focus on integrated and innovation-driven digital government.
