UAE set to achieve goals by golden jubilee of the union
The National Agenda includes a set of national indicators in the sectors of education, health, economy, security, housing, infrastructure, and government services
By 2021, the UAE intends to achieve its vision for this year, which aims to set the UAE among the best countries in the world in terms of economic and social development, by the golden jubilee of the union.
The National Agenda includes a set of national indicators in the sectors of education, health, economy, security, housing, infrastructure, and government services. The leadership periodically reviews these indicators to ensure the achievement of its goals by 2021.
The UAE government has taken several measures in preparation for the future, and in dealing with the atermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. It included reviewing the structure and size of the government, the possibility of merging ministries and redesigning authorities, and creating a more lean, flexible and swit government to keep pace with new and diverse national priorities.
On 5th July, 2020, President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan approved a new structure for the federal government. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum in consultation with Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan announced the new cabinet, stressing that all resources are to be used to preserve achieved gains, and accelerate the development process.
The new structure includes the closure of 50% of government services centres and their transformation into digital plaforms within a period of two years, and the mergers of around 50% of federal authorities with other authorities or ministries. Also, the appointments of new ministers of state and CEOS of specialised sectors.
Amidst the global crisis resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, Expo 2020 Dubai has been postponed, as these are unprecedented times, and the health and safety of all Expo 2020 participants remains a top priority for the country.
Many Expo participant countries were significantly impacted by COVID-19 and they have therefore expressed a need to postpone the opening of Expo 2020 Dubai by one year, to help them overcome this challenge. The UAE supported this proposal in the Steering Committee meeting in a spirit of solidarity and unity.
Under the postponement, Expo 2020 will be held from October 1, 2021, to March 31, 2022, which will allow all participants time to overcome the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic, and allow the World Expo to focus on the common desire to formulate new thinking to find solutions to some of the most pressing challenges.
Expo will be the world’s greatest show of human brilliance and achievement. It will be the first World Expo ever hosted in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region. Through our theme of “Connecting Minds, Creating the Future,” the UAE aims to host a World Expo that inspires people by showcasing the best examples of collaboration, innovation and cooperation from around the world.
There will be more than 200 participants, including nations, multilateral organisations, businesses and educational institutions. To date, more than 190 nations from across the world have confirmed their participation at Expo 2020.
The UAE has adopted economic diversification as a priority in anticipation of future challenges facing the region and the world.
The country has been actively working to diversify its economy and has been witnessing notable developments and the expansion of numerous non-oil sectors, including media, ICT, tourism, renewable energy, manufacturing, and commercial aviation.
Sustainability in the UAE is based on several vital sectors such as the economy and industry, which go hand in hand. The UAE Government’s policy of diversification emphasised the need to develop non-oil sectors to create a more robust economy. In 1975, oil formed 58.4 percent of the economy. In 2018, oil formed 25.9 percent of the economy. As a percentage of GDP, the oil will make up 20 percent by 2025, signaling a major reduction and turn to non-oil sector growth.
Legislation has been introduced to stimulate the creative sector and SMES have been designed to enable innovators, creatives, and small enterprises to flourish. These initiatives aim to allow existing firms to grow while encouraging emerging ones to operate in the UAE.