A new strategy designed to improve local and federal government activities has been launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, U.A.E.’s prime minister and ruler of Dubai.

The legislation, which is already being implemented, comprises 21 topics within six sectors and follows a number of principles aimed to “ensure sustainable development and a high quality of life for all U.A.E. citizens.”

U.A.E. citizens currently account for just 240,000 of Dubai’s 1.5 million population, while the UAE as a whole is home to 4.5 million people – the bulk of whom consists of migrant workers from all over the globe. The federal strategy will also aim to improve the lives of the U.A.E.’s expatriate communities.
However, massive construction and business projects taking place within Dubai and the surrounding emirates have meant the U.A.E.’s population is the fastest growing in the Middle East. Forecasts for Dubai suggest that within the next 15 years, its demographics will increase to more than 11 million people.

Thus, the strategic initiative, which it is hoped will promote more efficient administrations following the adoption of international practices, is an ambitious move for the country, but will ensure greater advantages in several areas including immigration, business growth, education and health.
Sheikh Mohammed, who announced the plans to members of the Supreme Council and rulers of the Emirates, cabinet ministers and more than 1,000 senior government officials earlier last month (May) is recognized as a formidable force within the United Arab Emirates.

A highly popular figure who has overseen the success of many ambitious projects within his own emirate, he has also vowed that Dubai will fulfill its growth targets from eight billion GDP to 37 billion GDP within the next fifteen years.

The 57-year-old Royal, who is renowned for his charismatic boundless energy and skill as a champion horseman and poet, has never been one to pull his punches. Of the move he said: “We realize that the current disposition of each of the six sectors is confused, lacks strategic planning and proper policy making and suffers from deficiencies in the legislative and regulatory framework.”
He went on to explain that the six major sectors of the U.A.E. government strategy included social, economic and public sector development, justice and safety, infrastructure and rural development.
“I believe that the reason for this situation is the dimension and speed of change that has dominated the international arena during the past few years. The slow pace by which federal institutions, in all parts of the world, responded to this change has not made it any better, primarily due to the nature and complexity of the federal state where the process of decision making goes through a longer path than in simple mono-provincial states,” he added.

Sheikh Mohammed stressed that although international methods would be adopted, it was still important to remember the principles upon which the country was built.
“As we present this strategy, which sets the foundations for a new era of public administration, we remember the devotion with which our founding fathers built this nation and aimed to give its people a better life.

“This compels us to pursue those endeavors with great responsibility, continue to build on their efforts and conquer the challenges in order to promote the leading position that our country has achieved in all different areas.”

He explained; “The changing times and the nature of the challenges prompt us to think in a different way and to adopt international best practices in the area of public administration. Hence this strategy, that unifies efforts within a strategic framework with clear objectives based on detailed studies, clearly identifies and integrates federal and local efforts.”

Sheikh Mohammed then pointed out that the new strategy would help to; “Maintain continuous cooperation between federal and local authorities, revitalize the regulatory and policy making role of the ministries and improve decision-making mechanisms.”

He also emphasized the need for greater efficiency within government departments, remarking on the caliber of workers within those fields.

The aim, he said, would be to develop civil service regulations and human resources, focusing on competence, effective Emiratisation and leadership training. Sheikh Mohammed added that he wanted to, “empower ministries to manage their activities in line with public and joint policies,” and to review and upgrade legislations and regulations.

He concluded his strategy launch speech by saying; “I am confident that bringing in change to federal government processes will not only improve the efficiency of the government, but will also enhance and improve the mechanism of cooperation between the federal and the local governments.
“The federal government specializes in all legislations pertaining to economic, trade, labor, education and healthcare regulations. The federal government should be attuned to all changes and developments, as the local governments are responsible for implementing most activities that support the development of the country. Wherever both fail to establish a sound platform for collaboration, gaps are certain to be found.”