United Arab Emirates sets out its roadmap for 2023
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, in his first cabinet meeting of 2023, set out five key priorities for the UAE's New Year. The sheikh, who is also vice president, said the UAE will focus on strengthening its national identity; protecting the environment and sustainability; developing the education sector; promoting Emirati policy; and expanding economic partnerships around the world. Dubai's ruler welcomed the country's progress in 2022 and hopes to realise its ambitions in the next 12 months.
"First: national identity and its strengthening. Second: the improvement of the environment and its sustainability. Third: the development of the education system and its vision, indicators and outputs. Fourth: localisation process and its acceleration. Fifth: our international economic partnership and its extension," said the Sheikh. Mohammed bin Rashid added that the UAE was "one of the most adaptable governments in the world". "If we look at the results of 2022, we find that the government issued almost a thousand decisions. In total, 22 government policies were developed and approved, 68 federal laws were reviewed and enacted, and 113 state regulations were developed, approved and implemented.
"International agreements were signed and approved in 2022, preparing our economic, social, infrastructure and digital sectors for the next stage. In 2018, the government created another 120 teams working to update more than 100 social, economic, education and regulatory commitments. Keeping pace with the many changes affecting us. They have been conveyed to us and to the world. "The efforts of our team have made us one of the most adaptable governments in the world". Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid said that by 2022, the UAE will be among the best in the world in various developmental, economic and social fields.
"Our country will be among the top five in the world in 339 economic, social and development indicators by 2022. The UAE will continue to work towards its ambition of being the best in the world," he said. "When we embark on a new journey in 2023, our country will be racing against itself, against the clock, to be the first and best in the world, God forbid," he wrote. "To implement the vision of the president of my brother country, God bless you, and the desire of our people to create the best possible economic, social and developmental environment, the Cabinet of ministers must coordinate efforts, pool energies and formulate policies and strategies".
"The new year brings much optimism for us, our workforce and a brighter future." During the meeting, the ministers approved the national strategy against desertification, which will aim to protect the country's natural environment by 2030, involving much effort and expenditure of resources. The framework includes 33 initiatives aimed at protecting ecosystems, improving drought and drylands, and mitigating the effects of climate change. Desertification involves human-induced land degradation in areas with low rainfall. The government also agreed to regulate licensing for space-related activities in line with efforts to promote a booming industry and stimulate investment.
"The Cabinet approved the issuance of a decision to compensate third parties for damages caused during space activities," state news agency Wam said. "The session also approved the issuance of decisions for the regulation of activities related to space resources in accordance with the objectives of the national space policy." Cabinet members also launched a programme to measure public satisfaction with public services. The Government Services Observatory is an interactive digital platform that shows customer acceptance and public impressions of websites, smart applications and service centres.
Politicians also approved reforms to the UAE Food Security Council and approved uniform guidelines for financial procedures for donations and remittances abroad. The Council of Ministers approved the issuance of a federal decree approving cooperation agreements with the governments of Samoa, Côte d'Ivoire, Serbia and Italy.