Government Excellence Model (GEM)
The Government Excellence Model (GEM) is a framework for evaluating and improving the performance of government entities in the UAE. GEM 2.0 is designed to inspire government entities on their journey towards excellence and to keep the momentum of excellence. GEM 2.0 is divided into three pillars; each pillar has criteria that encompass a set of principles that define the general concept of the criteria.
About GEM
The Government Excellence Model (GEM) is a framework for evaluating and improving the performance of government entities in the UAE. GEM 2.0 is the latest version of the model, and it was launched in 2019. The GEM 2.0 is designed to inspire government entities on their journey towards excellence and to keep the momentum of excellence. This momentum is intended to result in major leaps in performance and leading positions.Pillars and criteria of GEM 2.0
GEM 2.0 is divided into three main pillars; each pillar comprises a set of criteria that represent the basis that guides the government entity wishing to achieve a leading position, sustainable growth and competitive advantage. The pillars of GEM 2.0 are:
Pillars of GEM 2.0
Vision realisation
This pillar focuses on the entity's ability to achieve its vision and strategic goals.
01
Distinctive value
This pillar focuses on the entity's ability to deliver proactive, innovative, personalised and seamless services to its customers.
02
Enablers
This pillar focuses on the entity's ability to create an environment that enables its employees to perform their best.
03
GEM 2.0 has 11 criteria grouped into the 3 pillars stated above. Each criterion encompasses a set of principles that define and explain a high-level meaning (general concept) of the criteria and which can be utilised as guidance to interpret the criteria. The criteria for the 3 pillars are:

- Enhancing wellbeing
- Future readiness
- Strategic direction and competitiveness
- Main functions
- Next generation services
- Intelligent enablement
- Talented professionals
- Resources and assets
- Data and knowledge management
- Partnership and integration
- Government communication.
Vision realization:
Distinctive value:
Enablers:
Read more about pillars, criteria and principles in the Government Excellence Model Manual (PDF, 1 MB).
Fundamentals of excellence
GEM fundamentals are designed to inspire and guide the efforts of government entities in their journey to achieve further levels of excellence maturity. They embed a mindset that drives the transformation required to deliver value and ultimately enhance the well-being of citizens. They can be used by any government entity regardless of its mandate or current excellence maturity. Fundamentals of excellence are:
- Ambitious vision
- Enhancing wellbeing
- Leadership at the helm
- Anticipating and adapting
- Inspiring confidence
- Embracing the ecosystem
- Outcome-based measurement
- Benefits realisation
- Leading government
- Transformational and disruptive mindset.
Read more about the fundamentals of excellence.
Related links
Library of resources about Government Excellence Model – GEM website Journey of excellence – GEM website UAE Government Excellence Model obtains international accreditation – WAM