Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid announces UAE Strategy for the Future

All government departments will appoint 'directors of future planning' under a national strategy announced on Wednesday by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai.

Sheikh Mohammed described the UAE Strategy for the Future as an ‘integrated strategy to forecast our nation’s future, aiming to anticipate challenges and seize opportunities’. Wam
Powered by automated translation

DUBAI // All government departments will appoint “directors of future planning” under a national strategy announced on Wednesday by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai.

Sheikh Mohammed described the UAE Strategy for the Future as an “integrated strategy to forecast our nation’s future, aiming to anticipate challenges and seize opportunities”. It was launched under the directives of the President, Sheikh Khalifa.

Departments must abandon obsolete or irrelevant thinking and focus on the future, Sheikh Mohammed said.

The strategy is mandatory for government department operations, to build the country’s talent and strengthen international partnerships.

A college and laboratories specialising in future studies will be established, Sheikh Mohammed said.

“The strategy includes modelling the future of our health, education, social, development and environment sectors, and building capacity,” he said.

Future planning will also become part of the school curriculum. Qualified Emiratis will be trained in the subject and lessons designed for the UAE will be taught in national universities.

Ministers will be expected to represent the country as “ambassadors of the future” and reflect the country’s pioneering global position.

“As a nation, we have always been forward-looking and planning for the future, which has been a key driver of our success,” said Sheikh Mohammed.

“The UAE Strategy for the Future is our new approach to planning for the future by predicting, analysing and implementing highly effective action plans that accelerate development.”

The strategy will also be a referral point for departments to adopt proactive planning “to usher in an even more prosperous tomorrow for our current and future generations”, Sheikh Mohammed said.

“The citizens of the UAE are our most important resource in building our future. To nurture their skills, we will strengthen education and training initiatives.”

Mohammed Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and the Future, said the strategy would help the Government efficiently address shifts in global trends and identify challenges and opportunities.

The strategy involves planning in three stages: for the next five years as part of UAE Vision 2021; for 2021 to 2026; and for 2026 and beyond.

By 2026, the Government “would be even more responsive and adaptable to changes”, Mr Al Gergawi said.

“The long-term strategy goes beyond 2026 and we will commence work now to both foresee and build the future of the nation.”

The strategy follows a plan announced in April to make the UAE a centre for technology and innovation in areas such as 3-D printing for building projects. In January, the country’s leaders announced strategies to chart a post-oil economy. It would include plans for changes in human capital, the creation of a knowledge-based economy, government policies and community.

newsdesk@thenational.ae