2021 will be a different and exceptional year: Mohammed
Cabinet approves ‘Emirates Tourism Council’ which would be chaired by Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi to strengthen the tourism porfolio, drating a tourism strategy in line with the nation’s aspirations
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, stated that 2020 was an exceptional year full of national achievements in all sectors worthy of pride, noting that he is proud of the government’s successes, despite the challenges caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
He was also optimistic that 2021 would be a different and exceptional year.
The formation of the “Emirates Tourism Council,” was approved by the cabinet. It would be chaired by Dr Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of State for Entrepreneurship and SMES, to strengthen the tourism porfolio, drating a tourism strategy in line with the nation’s aspirations and the UAE Centennial, and integrating all relevant local authorities and departments.
The council will be responsible for suggesting and revising policies and legislation that will support the tourism sector and national tourism development plans, as well as supporting the growth of tourism industries, atracting tourism investments, suggesting economic incentives to encourage the growth of the sector, establishing a comprehensive national tourism information database, and supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) involved in the tourism sector.
“Today, we approved the establishment of the Emirates Tourism Council, to coordinate, market and support national tourism plans. The campaign, titled, “World’s Coolest Winter,” highlighted the importance of working as one national tourism team and we aim to enable our youth to benefit from tourism opportunities around the country,” Sheikh Mohammed said.
The council’s members include the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism, the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing-dubai, the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority, the Ajman Tourism Development Department, the Umm Al Quwain Department of Tourism and Archaeology, the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority and the Fujairah Tourism and Antiquities Authority.
The meeting’s agenda also included the approval of the “UAE Circular Economy Policy,” which is a comprehensive framework for determining the country’s approach to achieving sustainable governance and the ideal use of natural resources, by adopting consumption and production methods that ensure the quality of life for current and future generations.
“We have adopted the Circular Economy Policy. Our objectives are clean production, sustainable transport and consumption and efficient waste management, to protect the environment and generate new economic opportunities. We have also established a federal circular economy council to implement this strategy,” Sheikh Mohammed stated.
The policy comprises several key objectives, including promoting environmental health, supporting the private sector in adopting clean production methods, and reducing natural environmental stress, to achieve the country’s vision to be a global pioneer of green development.
The policy is a framework for identifying the priorities in terms of consolidating the concept of the circular economy within several priority sectors, most notably green infrastructure, sustainable transport, sustainable manufacturing, sustainable food production and consumption, in addition to other areas, such as technology, innovation and research and development while raising awareness, building capacities, establishing partnerships and cooperation plaforms, and achieving comprehensive waste management.
The policy and its outcomes are expected to generate considerable economic proceeds for the country, mitigate environmental pressures, ensure the supply of raw materials, increase competitiveness, motivate innovation, strengthen economic growth and create job opportunities.
Under the same framework, the Cabinet approved the establishment of the UAE Circular Economy Council, chaired by Dr Abdullah Belhaif Al Nuaimi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment , with its members representing federal and local authorities and the private sector. The Ministry of Climate Change and the Environment will be responsible for the council’s secretariat-general duties.