An ambitious vision of the UAE as economic powerhouse whose people are the best educated, best governed and the happiest in the world was revealed at the second day of the first annual Government annual meeting.
Speaking after the conclusion of a gathering over over 450 officials in Abu Dhabi. that looked forward to the country's Centennial, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, said: “In order to achieve our UAE Centennial 2071 objectives, we need to work together as a team, each taking a part in making the UAE the best country in the world. We believe in our national capabilities and seek to empower national cadres ready to lead the future, today.”
He added: “We want the best government, the best education, the happiest society and the best economy in the world. We aspire to build a global economic powerhouse.”
Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed stressed that the contribution of young people was key to achieving these objectives.
“The UAE has full confidence in, and supports completely, the young generation of our citizens who will pursue, and achieve, the UAE Centennial 2071 goals,” he said.
“We aim to nurture and prepare our young people to be confident of their national identity, empowered with world-class education and able to pioneer the future, positioning the UAE among the world’s leading countries. They will unleash their energies and dedicate their efforts to achieving excellence and realising the ambitious vision of our leadership.”
Achieving this goal will involve making the UAE a global hub in the "Fourth Industrial Revolution", developing areas like advanced healthcare, including robots and latest advance in genomic medicine to attract health tourism.
It will be accompanied by a Soft Power Strategy, whose goal was described by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs as “to build on our already strategic positioning, which embraces the eastern and western worlds, by investing in cultural, humanitarian and economic diplomacy for the benefit of the people."
He said: "The UAE has all the economic, cultural and civilisational elements to solidify its international standing in all sectors; our goal is to ingrain the UAE’s position in the world, and in the people’s hearts.”
To ensure the workforce can achieve these goals, a National Strategy for Higher Education 2030 has been announced, seeking to build and achieve the highest scientific and professional education standards.
“Education is a national priority for the leadership in the UAE, and has evolved through many stages over the last several years. Today, through the Higher Education Strategy 2030, we introduce a new model of education that empowers our students with the knowledge to face the future,” said Hussain bin Ibrahim Al Hammadi, the Minister of Education.
Also announced was the Abu Dhabi Government Academy, which seeks to make the government sector more efficient though training the most highly qualified graduates, including a future leaders programme.
Measures to ensure sustainable access to water at all times were announced by the Ministry of Energy with the UAE Water Security Strategy 2036,
The strategy aims to ensure sustainable access to water during both normal and emergency conditions in line with local regulations and the standards of the World Health Organisation.
It will seek to reduce total demand for water resources by 21 per cent, increase the reuse of treated water to 95 per cent, and increase national water storage capacity up to two days.