NATIONAL AGENDA REVEALS VISION FOR NEXT 50 YEARS
▶ Blueprint aims to promote sustainable development and cement UAE’s place on global stage
Fifty years ago, a handshake in the desert between Sheikh Zayed, the Founding Father, and Sheikh Rashid, Ruler of Dubai, set in motion the unification of the Emirates. Now, the UAE has begun the next 50 years by successfully sending a probe to the desert of Mars.
That was the inspiring message from Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid yesterday as he outlined the UAE’s vision for the next five decades.
The Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, chaired a twoday government retreat that brought together the country’s leaders, ministers and dignitaries to form a new National Agenda to lead the nation into the future.
The blueprint aims to encourage a more agile form of government and promote sustainable development across economic and social sectors, while cementing the UAE’s place on the global stage.
“Over the past 50 years, we started from the desert of our land to the desert of Mars,” Sheikh Mohammed said.
“Our dreams will be even bigger for the next 50 years. We have reached this far because the impossible does not exist in the UAE. We have the scientific, educational and economic resources to take the UAE to new frontiers in the next 50 years, and we have Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed to lead this journey.
“Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed’s participation in the retreat lays out a new and clear 50-year vision for the UAE.”
He said the country had achieved so much over the past five decades because it placed human capital at the centre of its development and economic plans.
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed paid tribute to the UAE’s founding fathers, saying their legacy laid the foundation for the country that now allows its people to look to the future.
“The UAE has reached where it is today thanks to the values of tolerance and coexistence that the founding leaders Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid established from the beginning of our journey,” he said. “The last 50 years were filled with prosperity, development and success, and we will need to move at a greater speed to meet our growing ambitions for the next 50 years.”
The National Agenda lays out the government’s long-term objectives to sustain economic stability across all sectors.
Discussions were held to develop ideas and suggestions to shape the future of vital sectors such as the economy, health, trade, education, community development and media.
Participants addressed development strategies that would allow the UAE to continue to grow in a stable and sustainable way while also streamlining government work teams.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Prime Minister of the UAE, said a “new and clear 50year vision” for the country had been set out as a government summit drew to a close yesterday
A two-day ministerial retreat concluded with a new National Agenda to help shape the country’s developments for the next half century.
The blueprint for the future aims to encourage a more agile form of governing and promote sustainable development, while cementing the UAE’s place on the global stage.
The meeting was chaired by Sheikh Mohammed, also the Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.
It brought together ministers, government officials and dignitaries to lay out a strategic framework to assess the performance of the federal government and ministries.
“Over the past 50 years, we started from the desert of our land to the desert of Mars. Our dreams will be even bigger for the next 50 years,” Sheikh Mohammed said.
“We have reached this far because the impossible does not exist in the UAE. We have the scientific, educational and economic resources to take the UAE to new frontiers in the next 50 years, and we have Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed to lead this journey.
“Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed’s participation in the retreat lays out a new and clear 50-year vision for the UAE.”
The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi highlighted the need to redouble efforts to meet lofty ambitions for the country’s next 50 years.
“The last 50 years were filled with prosperity, development and success, and we will need to move at a greater speed to meet our growing ambitions for the next 50 years,” Sheikh Mohamed said.
“Our government teams in the next phase will only welcome people who will exert 10 times more efforts and energy to achieve greater successes. Our vision is to make the UAE an attractive destination for talents, ideas and investment.
“We will preserve Mohammed bin Rashid’s principle of always being number one. Our aim is to compete internationally.”
During the retreat, government officials were split into working groups and each presented with anticipated challenges to address with a plan that must include defined responsibilities and specific goals.
On Tuesday, Mohammed Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs, presented an idea for a collaborative and energetic government model.
Mr Al Gergawi said this would lead federal ministries, departments and institutions as part of the national priorities for the UAE’s next phase.
He said the road map to 2071 called for full collaboration among public, semi-private and private sectors, under an integrated system, to develop innovative work models.
A series of strategic projects will be introduced under the action plan to bolster the country’s key sectors in the years to come.
Specialist government action teams held 10 discussion sessions on the second day of the retreat to discuss ways of boosting the country’s global competitiveness and of fostering an environment that supported entrepreneurship and attracted foreign investment.
Brainstorming sessions covered ways to strengthen cultural values, national cohesion and patriotism and how to harness the skills of the next generation of talent.
The UAE is gearing for up for its Golden Jubilee celebration on December 2.
Leaders are intent on not only paying homage to the progress made since the seven emirates came together but with forging ahead with plans to further elevate its status before its centenary.
Two committees were established last year to come up with plans for the country’s future and the Golden Jubilee celebration.
A website was set up to encourage community interaction and to seek ideas from the public to plan the UAE’s anniversary.