Work together to build the happiest economic powerhouse in the world
An ambitious vision of the UAE as economic powerhouse whose people are the best educated, best governed and happiest in the world was revealed at the second day of the first annual Government meeting.
“In order to achieve our UAE Centennial 2071 objectives, we need to work together as a team, each taking a part in making the UAE the best country in the world,” said Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai.
“We believe in our national capabilities and seek to empower national cadres ready to lead the future, today.
“We want the best government, the best education, the happiest society and the best economy in the world. We aspire to build a global economic powerhouse.”
He was speaking to more than 450 officials in Abu Dhabi at the end of the two-day summit.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, stressed that the contribution of young people was key to achieving the objectives.
“The UAE has full confidence in, and supports completely, the young generation of our citizens who will pursue and achieve the UAE Centennial 2071 goals,” he said.
“We aim to nurture and prepare our young people to be confident of their national identity, empowered with world-class education and able to pioneer the future, positioning the UAE among the world’s leading countries.
“They will unleash their energy and dedicate their efforts to achieving excellence and realising the ambitious vision of our leadership.”
Achieving this goal will involve turning the UAE into global centre in the “Fourth Industrial Revolution”, developing areas such as advanced health care, including robots and the latest advances in genomic medicine to attract health tourism.
It will be accompanied by a Soft Power Strategy, whose goal was described by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs as “building on our already strategic positioning, which
embraces the eastern and western worlds, by investing in cultural, humanitarian and economic diplomacy for the benefit of the people”.
“The UAE has all the economic, cultural and civilisational elements to solidify its international standing in all sectors,” Sheikh Mansour said.
“Our goal is to ingrain the UAE’s position in the world, and in the people’s hearts.”
To ensure the workforce can achieve these goals, a National Strategy for Higher Education 2030 has been announced, seeking to build and achieve the highest scientific and professional education standards.
“Education is a national priority for the leadership in the UAE and has evolved through many stages over the past several years,” said Hussain Al Hammadi, Minister for Education.
“Today, through the Higher Education Strategy 2030, we introduce a new model of education that empowers our students with the knowledge to face the future.”
Also announced was the Abu Dhabi Government Academy, which seeks to make the government sector more efficient by training the most highly qualified graduates and will include a future leaders’ programme.
Measures to ensure sustainable access to water at all times were announced by the Ministry of Energy with the UAE Water Security Strategy 2036.
Education is a national priority for the leadership in the UAE, and has evolved through many stages over the past several years HUSSAIN AL HAMMADI Minister for Education
The strategy aims to ensure sustainable access to water during normal and emergency conditions, in line with local regulations and the standards of the World Health Organisation.
It will seek to reduce total demand for water resources by 21 per cent, increase the re-use of treated water to 95 per cent and increase national water storage capacity up to two days.