UAE Prime Minister

Based on the National Program launched by The President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan in December 2005 and approved by the Supreme Council, the Cabinet has formulated a comprehensive Strategy for the Federal Government. Thus, the objectives of the UAE Federal Strategy adhere to the objectives set by The President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa. The major objectives are:

1. Achieve sustainable and balanced development;
2. Provide the best standard of living to all UAE nationals;
3. Develop a Federal Government mechanism to raise performance levels in all sectors.

The UAE Government aims to become a leader in public administration in the Arab World. It seeks to ensure maximum synergy between the local and federal governments in order to achieve excellence at all levels in the UAE.

The general principles of the strategy are:

1. Maintain continuous cooperation between the Federal and local authorities;
2. Activate the organizational aspects, chalk out ministries' policies, and improve
3. the decision-making mechanism;
4. Increase the efficiency of government bodies and upgrade customer service standards.
5. Develop civil service regulations and human resources, focus on competency levels,
6. Effective Emiratisation and leadership training.
7. Empower ministries to run their activities based on public and joint policies.
8. Review and upgrade legislation and regulation.

Many of the federal initiatives, such as the Liaison Commission between federal and local judiciary bodies, have already been launched because they were considered top priority. Other initiatives will be implemented over a span of three years. The results, however, will take a longer time to be realized. The strategy also includes a provision for periodical review.

The UAE Federal Strategy will depend on highly advanced methodologies and technique to ensure proper implementation. Individual strategies for each ministry are in line with the general principles. The Cabinet Office will closely supervise these processes and will present periodic reports to the Prime Minister.

The development of the UAE Federal Strategy required six months of extensive collaborative effort and involved six ministerial teams, each representing one of the six major sectors addressed in the Strategy. This was achieved under the supervision and support of His Highness Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Vice-President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

Social Development Team: includes the Minister for Higher Education and Scientific Research (President), the Minister for Education, the Minister for Health, Minister for Social Affairs and the Minister for Youth, Culture and Community Development.

Judicial Team: includes the Minister for Interior (President), the Minister for Justice and the Minister for Government Sector Development.

Rural Areas Team includes the Minister for Public Works (President), the Minister for Heath, the Minister for Economy and the Minister for Social Affairs.

Economic Development Team includes the Minister for Economy (President), the Minister of State for Financial and Industrial Affairs, the Minister for Labour, the Minister of State for Federal National Council (FNC) Affairs and the Governor of the Central Bank.

Infrastructure Team includes the Minister for Public Works (President), the Minister for Environment and Water and the Minister for Energy.

Government Sector Development Team includes the Minister for Government Sector Development (President). The Minister for Health, the Minister for Education and the Minister of State for Federal National Council (FNC) Affairs.

The UAE government launched an extensive exercise to identify key issues and areas to be tackled followed by in-depth research. The findings have been benchmarked against international best standards to identify the key objectives in each sector. Based on an approved agenda, each ministry will be responsible for chalking out its own development strategy. This agenda will be presented to the UAE Cabinet by the end of June.

The government has always seen the private sector as an important partner in all national development programs. The UAE strategy, aimed at enhancing overall development in the country, will reflect positively on private businesses as well. The private sector's support for the strategy is a crucial prerequisite. Private businesses are anticipated to play a tangible role in supporting different Development initiatives and programs in sectors such as education, health care and environment. Investment to develop infrastructure in these sectors will be a key contribution area for the private sector. Partnership between the UAE Government and the private sector is crucial for the success of the development strategy. The UAE strategy includes 35 initiatives that will be developed in collaboration with the private sector.

The UAE's overall strategy is devised specifically to support and complement the local strategies of each emirate. It has revealed all necessary mechanisms and procedures to ensure the highest levels of synergy among all participants. Federal and local commissions, with decision makers at various levels, will be set up to guarantee consistency and uniformity in all areas.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has said Emiratisation is an absolute priority for the national development program. The UAE national is at the heart of the strategy which significantly ensures maximum benefits for the citizens. The strategy opts to increase the UAE nationals' involvement by creating more job opportunities in both the government and private sectors. The government strategy also focuses on improving the skills of UAE nationals to raise their level of competitiveness through professional training. Developing the Education system is another cornerstone in the UAE's mission to develop the core competencies of UAE nationals. Curriculums of both high schools and universities will be reviewed to ensure relevance to market requirements. Vocational training will also be offered to UAE nationals to enhance their job opportunities.