Abu Dhabi Plan aims to reduce Emirati unemployment by half

Ensuring that every citizen in the emirate feels safe and secure is one of the top priorities of the Abu Dhabi Plan.

Adec hosted Tawdheef jobs fair earlier this year, addressing the need for greater Emiratisation. Silvia Razgova / The National

ABU DHABI // Plans to cut unemployment rates among UAE nationals by about half, increase Emiratisation in both public and semi-public sectors, and ensure nearly every child in the emirate is literate by 2020 are some of the measures under the Abu Dhabi Plan.

Other priorities in the blueprint included ensuring every citizen in the emirate feels safe, ensuring the effectiveness of the criminal justice system, and reducing the number of major crimes and traffic casualties on the roads.

“The Abu Dhabi Plan aims to maintain our accomplishments in safety and security, and ensure our continuous communications and partnerships with relevant entities,” said Maj Gen Mohammed Khalfan Al Romaithi, commander-in-chief of Abu Dhabi Police and a member of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council.

“We will place all efforts towards meeting the highest levels of security, justice and safety for all members of the society.”

The Executive Council has also set targets for government entities to nearly double the number of job opportunities for Emiratis in Al Ain, reduce obesity levels among Abu Dhabi school students under the age of 18, and increase the employment rate of Emiratis with special needs.

Maj Gen Al Romaithi said the long-term challenges of food security and ensuring an effective supply chain from field to fork were key concerns.

For environment-related government entities, measures were being put in place to increase the number of farms that were part of the pest control programme, increase sustainable waste treatment and grow the quantity of the emirate’s produce marketed throughout the country.

“It comes as no surprise to anyone that there are certain challenges that the food security sector faces globally, and perhaps the changes that we encounter today, especially given the current economic and political conditions in the region, requires us to work hard towards implementing the best solutions that would guarantee our food security,” said Maj Gen Al Romaithi.

“I personally believe that being aware of our responsibility regarding this sensitive issue is, of itself, an important step towards achieving targets that meet our ambitions.

“We are also aware that a clear and specific food security strategy will enable us to achieve continuous development and growth, and perhaps that it is worth mentioning the Food Security Centre – Abu Dhabi, which reflects our ambitions to coordinate all efforts in managing food security in all situations, and at all times.

“We also strive through the various programmes and projects of the Abu Dhabi Plan to ensure food security and sustainability, develop sustainable agriculture, and convert to smart agricultural support, as well as maintaining the safety of our community through implementing occupational health and safety measures and ensuring our capabilities in managing emergency and crisis situations, guaranteeing business continuity.”

Plans were in place to increase the number of hotel guests and hotel revenues in the emirate, increase the number of travellers transiting Abu Dhabi International Airport, improve the punctuality of take-offs, increase the volume of direct foreign investment, and promote and develop tourist areas, concentrating on marine tourism as part of the long-term vision towards the diversifying Abu Dhabi’s oil-dominated economy.

One of the top priorities for the Abu Dhabi government is improving the quality of life for members of society, with emphasis on youth and senior citizens.

Implementing a comprehensive retirement system in Abu Dhabi, increasing the number of elderly participating in community programmes, and increasing the number of school students vaccinated against communicable diseases were also on the horizon.

Programmes providing scholarships and developing a diversified job market were aimed at tackling challenges faced by students and graduates.

Activities for youth were also to be expanded, developing the emirate into a regional sports and entertainment hub.

Other 2020 benchmarks were reducing divorce rates among UAE nationals and increasing the availability of community facilities in Abu Dhabi city, Al Ain and the Western Region. The Abu Dhabi Plan also set out a vision for managing the emirate’s media reputation and position, and developing the industry.

Decreasing the number of residential units that are vacant in Abu Dhabi and the Western Region was another benchmark under the plan.

The Executive Council said the emirate was on track to achieving many of the goals. Within the last year, the Abu Dhabi Plan spearheaded progress in areas such as health and education, with increases in the number of hospital beds, tourists visiting the emirate, people with diabilities in employment, and jobs for Emiratis in Al Ain. Foreign investment also increased, while more community facilities and utilties distribution projects were approved.

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