The Department of Community Development – Abu Dhabi (DCD) is leading the participation of Abu Dhabi’s social sector entities in the Life and Investment Expo "LIVEX 2026", taking place from 29 September to 1 October at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi.
The participation will showcase programmes and projects that address the needs of individuals and families and improve their quality of life. It will also highlight the collective efforts of the social sector and its partners to build a cohesive community that offers opportunities for participation and empowerment for all.
Coinciding with the Year of the Family 2026, the participation reflects the social sector’s commitment to family stability and quality of life through programmes and projects that address the needs of family members at every stage of life. It also highlights partnerships that support service development and create environments that strengthen family and community connections, placing communities at the centre of modern urban design.
On 29 September, H.E. Shamis Ali Al Dhaheri, Chairman of the Department of Community Development, will participate in a panel discussion titled "Access Is Not an Amenity: Designing Cities for Everybody, at Every Stage of Life". The discussion will explore the importance of considering the needs of all community members when designing cities and services, and the role of integrating urban planning and social policy in enabling access and participation for all.
The participation will feature the unveiling of community initiatives, the implementation of programmes and frameworks, and the signing of cooperation agreements with partners across various sectors. These efforts will support stronger connections among neighbourhood residents and create opportunities for community participation.
Social sector entities will also host a series of workshops, awareness sessions and interactive discussions highlighting the services and initiatives available to different community groups, and their role in supporting family stability, strengthening community cohesion and improving quality of life.
DCD will showcase the "Districts Dashboard", a decision-support tool that brings together quality-of-life and development indicators at district level. It helps identify residents’ needs, establish priorities, direct programmes, services and resources according to each district’s requirements, and monitor the impact of government initiatives.
The participation will also feature the Disability-Friendly Cities and Communities Framework, which provides an integrated approach to developing environments and services that respond to the needs of People of Determination. The framework connects accessibility to facilities, services and technologies with participation in family and community life, supporting empowerment and equal opportunities.
In the "Community Zone", visitors will explore social sector programmes and projects through interactive screens and information sessions presenting their objectives and impact on individuals and families. Visitors will also have the opportunity to engage with the teams responsible for the featured initiatives.
DCD invites visitors to explore its projects at the Abu Dhabi Government Pavilion and social sector programmes in the "Community Zone", and to take part in discussions and activities highlighting the role of partnerships, data and community participation in improving quality of life.