Dubai, United Arab Emirates – 4 August 2026
The General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai (GDRFA Dubai) showcased its innovative border management and smart travel ecosystem while representing the United Arab Emirates alongside delegations from nine participating countries at the Friends of Korea 2026 programme. During the event, GDRFA Dubai presented an advanced government model that leverages artificial intelligence and digital solutions to strengthen border security and ensure seamless passenger journeys. Hosted in Seoul, the capital of the Republic of Korea, from 15 to 20 June 2026, the programme provided a platform for GDRFA Dubai to demonstrate Dubai's vision of designing proactive services that elevate the traveller experience and reinforce the emirate's global competitiveness.
The GDRFA Dubai delegation comprised Lieutenant Colonel Juma Al Falasi, Director of Passport Control Department – Terminal 3 at Dubai International Airport, and Captain Sultan Al Ali from the Border Control Department. During the programme, the delegation presented GDRFA Dubai's experience in border management and airport operations through a comprehensive presentation outlining the transformation journey that has resulted in one of the world's most advanced travel ecosystems. The presentation highlighted the adoption of cutting-edge technologies, the empowerment of national talent, and enhanced operational readiness, ensuring faster processing, greater operational accuracy, and a seamless traveller experience, while reflecting GDRFA Dubai's commitment to knowledge exchange and its active contribution to shaping the future of the travel sector.
The delegation also highlighted the global standing of Dubai International Airport as one of the world's most advanced airports in managing passenger movement, alongside the institutional identity of the "Dubai It" travel experience, which reflects Dubai's philosophy of developing an integrated digital travel ecosystem that balances procedural efficiency, border security, and seamless passenger flow, while being underpinned by cross-government collaboration and service excellence.
At the conclusion of the programme, Lieutenant Colonel Juma Al Falasi addressed the participating delegations, stating that the global achievements of Dubai International Airport are the result of the UAE leadership's forward-looking vision, sustained investment in innovation, the excellence of national talent, and effective integration among government entities, all of which have positioned Dubai as a global leader in airport and border management.
He further noted that GDRFA Dubai has made digital transformation and advanced technologies a cornerstone of developing its operations and enhancing performance across all border checkpoints. He emphasised that future readiness is a deeply rooted institutional approach based on anticipating change, developing agile solutions capable of keeping pace with the rapid growth of global travel, and transforming challenges into opportunities for continuous development and excellence.
This participation reflects GDRFA Dubai's ongoing commitment to sharing its expertise on international platforms, strengthening the UAE's presence in government cooperation and knowledge exchange, and transforming its operational experience into institutional models that can be shared and replicated. It also contributes to building strategic partnerships with countries around the world while reinforcing Dubai's position as a global hub for government innovation and excellence in border management.
