Sheikh praises gains in National Agenda

DUBAI // The UAE wants the most dignified living standards, best education and healthcare services for its people, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, has said.

Sheikh Mohammed’s statements came during a meeting to review a report on the progress of the 2021 National Agenda, with Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, and Mohammed Al Gergawi, Minister for Cabinet Affairs.

The agenda sets benchmarks for UAE Vision 2021.

The report examined the progress of more than 200 federal and local public entities and private-sector organisations, as part of the efforts to implement the annual targets to be achieved by 2021, state news agency Wam reported.

Sheikh Mohammed said that the achievements made under President Sheikh Khalifa, through hundreds of federal and local working teams, have established an exceptional regional and international stature for the UAE.

They have provided Emiratis with living standards that are a source of pride, and laid a solid foundation for coming generations.

“All are required to double their efforts to preserve these gains and ensure these will be developed and sustained,” said Sheikh Mohammed.

“We noticed that a number of bodies lag behind.

“Today, we gave directives to publish the results of national indices in a clear and transparent way, because all are required to deliver according to these indices, and also because all benefit from them.”

The report includes statistics from last year for education, health care, Emiratisation, housing and economy.

The percentage of Emirati children enrolled in pre-schools rose to 88 per cent, 7 percentage points away from its 2021 target.

Obesity among children aged 12 to 17 decreased to 13 per cent, and the lowest rate was in Umm Al Quwain, the report said.

The road traffic death rate per 100,000 people decreased by 24 per cent in the past four years, while air quality improved by 20 per cent on 2013.