Economy, Youth, Sustainability: Sheikh Mohammed Sets Out National Priorities

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai, has set out three national priorities as the UAE Government Annual Meetings kicked off Tuesday in Abu Dhabi.

More than 500 dignitaries, including heads of UAE executive boards, ministers and senior officials in the federal and local governments, attend discussions to review strategies and initiatives. His Highness noted the meetings are an opportunity to collaborate on future plans.

Subjects on the agenda include attracting investment, developing legislative infrastructure, education, healthcare, health and housing, digital transformation, climate change and food security. The talks have come just weeks before the COP28 climate conference in Dubai.

Sheikh Mohammed Outlines Three Priorities

1. Continued focus on economic growth and development with “streamlined procedures, improved services and a fresh set of incentives”

2. Greater focus on youth by reinforcing their values and sense of identity, supporting their projects, and creating economic and job opportunities

3. Preserve resources and the environment for future generations, by integrating sustainability into national policies, laws and future developmental projects

Emiratis Viewed As A Top National Priority

Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, affirmed that the Emirates, under the wise leadership of President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, places citizens as a top priority.

“We are keen to strengthen the joint work and cooperation among the Executive Councils of all emirates, in order to accelerate the growth in various sectors, and to coordinate the efforts of the federal and local governments towards reaching the national objectives.”

The first day of the UAE Government Annual Meetings 2023 started with Mohammad bin Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs, highlighting the achievements in the past period. He said 94% of 2023 projects within the ‘We the UAE 2031’ were achieved.

Emirati Initiatives Delivering Promising Outcomes

Al Gergawi noted that this year, the Emirates became a member of the Brics grouping, ranked fourth globally in terms of international tourist spending, and recorded a new remarkable economic achievement, with non-oil foreign trade recording exceptional growth rates.

In terms of climate action, the UAE Net Zero by 2050 strategic initiative is a national drive to achieve net-zero emissions by the middle of the century, making the country the first in the Middle East and North Africa to do so. The initiative alligns with the Paris Agreement.

Furthermore, the Emirati leadership’s growing focus on the younger generation is undeniable. The country has implemented policies and programmes that promote youth education, skill development, employment opportunities and civic engagement.