UAE Cabinet approves 10-year Blue Residency visa for environment champions

Visa is aimed at individuals working in land and marine protection, as well as on air quality and sustainable technology

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, on Wednesday chaired a Cabinet meeting at Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi. All images: @HHShkMohd / X

Sheikh Mohammed with Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, during the meeting

A new Blue Residency visa has been approved to reward those working in environmental protection with long-term residency, Sheikh Mohammed said

The Cabinet also agreed to adopt the National Youth Agenda until 2031, meaning the government will have a core focus on empowering youth

A new system for classifying higher education institutions in the country was agreed

In line with the national emphasis on artificial intelligence, a new position was approved to establish a chief executive officer for artificial intelligence in all major federal entities

'We will continue to push our youth into advanced and promising sectors,' Sheikh Mohammed said

The Cabinet also reviewed recent developments in the country’s space sector, after spending increased by 14 per cent

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, with Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, after the meeting's conclusion

The UAE Cabinet has approved a 10-year Blue Residency visa for people who make “exceptional contributions” towards protecting the environment.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, announced the visa after chairing a Cabinet meeting at Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi.

“The sustainability of our economy has become linked to the sustainability of our environment, and our national directions in this area are clear and consistent,” Sheikh Mohammed wrote on X.

The visa will be granted to individuals who make exceptional contributions and efforts in the field of protecting the environment, whether marine or land. Work towards improving air quality and sustainable technologies will also be rewarded.

The Cabinet also agreed to adopt the National Youth Agenda until 2031, which means a core focus of the government will be empowering young people economically, developing their scientific skills, consolidating their sense of national identity, enhancing their social contributions, and activating their role to represent the nation.

A new system for classifying higher education institutions was agreed, with rankings based on quality, future employability of students, the strength of scientific research and global prestige.

In line with the national emphasis on artificial intelligence, a new position was approved to establish a chief executive for AI in all major federal entities. It is hoped this will help speed up the adoption of advanced technologies in all levels of government.

The Cabinet also reviewed recent developments in the country’s space sector, after spending increased by 14 per cent.

“We will continue to push our youth into advanced and promising sectors,” Sheikh Mohammed said.

“We will continue to protect our environment. We will continue to adopt the best international technologies in our government. We will continue to develop our higher education systems.”

It comes a day after Sheikh Mohammed met with President Sheikh Mohamed in Abu Dhabi’s Qasr Al Bahr Majlis.

The two discussed the UAE's progress and explored ways to advance the nation's sustainable growth, state news agency Wam reports.