Hundreds of government officials descended on Abu Dhabi on Monday to attend the UAE Government Annual Meeting.
Five hundred officials from local and federal governments across the country gathered for the first day of the meetings, in their third year, to discuss the projects and initiatives that will help drive the Emirates towards the goals of the UAE Centennial 2071.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, chaired the meeting.
"On Monday, my brother Mohamed bin Zayed and I presided over the third annual meetings of the UAE Government in the presence of the country's top 500 officials. Eleven themes will be discussed, national projects will be launched and the Crown Princes will meet to discuss development co-ordination at all levels," Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid said on Twitter.
"Our goal of the meetings is to unify the UAE's 10-year plan."
Mohammed Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and the Future, kicked off proceedings with the opening speech. He spoke of the country's global position and the need for continued teamwork among government departments.
"We have gathered in a united team spirit because we are the children of this nation and today it is our turn to work together as a team.
"We live in a country that is the best regionally and the most competitive in the world.”
He said these meetings are an annual opportunity to "unite efforts, launch initiatives and take advantage of all capabilities."
Maryam Al Hammadi, assistant director general for Government Performance at the Ministry of Cabinet Affairs and The Future, updated the government workers on the implementation of the initiatives announced at last year's meetings.
She said the government's ambition is to make UAE society "the happiest in the world" by 2071.
Dr Anwar Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, addressed how the UAE's position on the global landscape has changed as a result of regional developments.
He said the UAE's global standing was a reflection of the country's inner workings and that both had been a success this year.
"Foreign policy is an expression of our internal success and the success of foreign policy depends primarily on our internal developmental path.
"This year was a success for the UAE," Dr Gargash said, citing the visit of Pope Francis, Head of the Catholic Church, to Abu Dhabi in February and sending the first Emirati astronaut to space as examples of the country's triumphs.
Reem Al Hashimi, Minister of State for International Co-operation and director general of Expo 2020 Dubai, followed Dr Gargash saying more successes were yet to come with the hosting of the World's Fair next year.
Describing Expo 2020 as a "historic national project", Ms Al Hashimi said Dubai was prepared to host the world in less than 12 months.
Afterwards, Dr Sultan Al Jaber, minister of state and chief executive of Adnoc Group, spoke of the future of oil in the UAE.
"Adnoc has embarked on a comprehensive strategic shift to enhance value across all phases and aspects of business in the oil and gas sector.
"Oil and gas are a key contributor to the vision of leadership by diversifying sources of income, investing in human resources, and sustaining the future," he said.
The meetings end on Tuesday with the announcement of the winners of the UAE Pioneers Award that honours role models of tolerance – including people, projects and initiatives – who spread values of peace, coexistence and tolerance in the UAE, reported state news agency Wam.
The annual meetings of the UAE government are the largest and most comprehensive platform to discuss the challenges facing the development process and discuss the priorities of government work in various sectors.
