Sheikh Mansour oversees first 50-year planning meeting

Ministers and officials are looking to the future to ensure the Emirates is prepared

Sheikh Mansour leads the first meeting of the 50-year planning committee. Courtesy: Wam

A group of cabinet ministers and officials have met to begin long-term planning for the country's future.

Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, led the first meeting of the 50-year Development Plan Committee, of which he is chairman.

The aim is to ensure the country is well equipped to weather the challenges of the future and "focuses on the human being and improving his living conditions in all walks of life", Sheikh Mansour said.

"The UAE continues its journey while following the steps of the founding fathers who, with their wise vision, established pillars of cultural renaissance, progress and prosperity that focuses on human being and continues building on this pioneering exceptional heritage to shape features of life of the future generation," he said.

Among the members of the committee is Mohammad Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and The Future, Sultan Al Mansouri, Minister of Economy, Dr Anwar Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of State.

In December, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, the Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, said this year and the Golden Jubilee in 2021 will be used as a launch pad to prepare the country for the next half century.

"Fifty years ago, the founding fathers shaped our life today, and next year, we will shape the coming five decades for the future generations", Sheikh Mohammed said at the time.