Dubai: The UAE Cabinet has announced that it will meet every September to track the country’s five-decade national development plan, known as annual ‘UAE Centennial 2071.’
The meetings aim to unify all UAE government entities at the federal and local levels, and discuss challenges and strategies.
The first meeting this year will seek to develop the vision behind ‘UAE Centennial 2071’, and prepare a long-term work plan.
His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, will chair the meetings.
The meetings, which will be held over a two-day period, will include a variety of specialised workshops and brainstorming sessions aimed at defining and pursuing the agenda to be implemented in the UAE over the next five decades.
On its first day this year, national development subjects will include youth, housing, Emiratisation, media, technology, national identity, education, health, law system and environment.
The second day will witness the discussion around UAE’s position for the coming five decades, in areas such as economy, infrastructure, geopolitical position and soft power.
“The announcement of ‘UAE Centennial 2071’ is an affirmation of the vision of President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, for the development of the nation and work as one team to achieve the development on all levels,” said Mohammad Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and the Future.
“We will start communicating with all federal and local government entities in the country in the coming period in order to prepare for the meeting in September,” he added.
Unique foresight
“Taskforces will be assigned to follow up on initiatives and projects in various fields including social, economic, environmental, developmental, knowledge-based, infrastructure and more sectors.”
Al Gergawi said that the UAE’s long-term foresight has become a unique feature of the country both regionally and globally, but that now there was a need to develop an integrated 50-year plan.
Shaikh Mohammed launched ‘UAE Centennial 2071’ based on the important lecture given by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.
The plan will focus on several main objectives. The first is to develop a flexible government with mindful leadership and a clear vision, which prioritises the needs of the public and builds a positive environment.
The second is to invest in education, focusing on advanced IT, and establishing professionalism and ethics in educational institutions.
The third is to establish a diversified, globally competitive economy, and the fourth is to consolidate the values of tolerance, social cohesion and respect.
