The Executive Council of Dubai was established in February 2003 to manage all government affairs under the supervision and oversight of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

The Executive Council supports and assists the Ruler in performing his duties and exercising his powers. It is also responsible for designing and adopting public policies for the emirate in various strategic social and economic sectors, determining the priorities for the future direction of Dubai, supervising their implementation, ensuring the alignment of sectoral and governmental plans with the Dubai Strategic Plan for optimal implementation, and submitting it to the Ruler for endorsement.

Chaired by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, The Executive Council aims to translate the goals of visionary leadership's goals into tangible realities, creating a flourishing society and economy. This involves meeting citizens' needs, providing a decent life, enhancing and ensuring their participation in various sectors, contributing to social sustainability and well-being, and maintaining the security and stability of citizens, residents, and visitors to the emirate.

The Executive Council's powers include approving strategic plans, policies, initiatives, and projects that support the emirate's overarching policies in all sectors. It establishes an annual agenda, monitors its periodic implementation, approves the government's general financial policy, oversees its execution, and endorses proposals and recommendations related to policy implementation, plans, initiatives, and projects supporting the emirate's overarching policies. This also includes directing the study of issuing federal and local legislation with strategic impact on the emirate.

The Council is tasked with developing and improving overall government performance and monitoring global competitiveness indicators relevant to the emirate. It formulates necessary plans to enhance the emirate's global standing, applies modern management concepts in government, and fosters adaptability to future developments. Additionally, it is key to enhancing Dubai's status globally, elevating its position in global rankings across competitiveness indices, promoting economic progress, sustaining growth, and creating the conditions to meet these goals.

Furthermore, The Executive Council oversees the performance of government projects and initiatives across various sectors by directing government entities to take the required steps and measures to enhance public financial management, and approving frameworks for effective governance based on performance, accountability, and impact.

The Council also approves the establishment, organization, or restructuring of government entities before submitting them for the Ruler's approval. It also plays a key role in improving legislation and regulations to stimulate strategic economic sectors, attract global talent and investors, and ensure their alignment with the objectives of Dubai’s strategic plans.

Additionally, The Executive Council of Dubai establishes regulatory frameworks for the governance of public institutions operating on a commercial basis, as well as government-owned companies, to ensure they achieve their goals. The Executive Council collaborates and coordinates with the federal government and local governments in the UAE to fulfill higher directives of the UAE and the emirate of Dubai.