Sheikh Mansour Chairs Strategic Meeting on UAE Government Development

His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court, chaired a significant session of the Ministerial Development Council held at Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi. The meeting underscored the UAE’s commitment to comprehensive governance, forward-thinking policy development, and strategic legislative reform. Key national development projects, performance reviews, and proposals submitted by federal ministries were placed at the forefront of the session, reinforcing the nation’s ongoing drive toward sustainable growth, innovation, and institutional excellence.
The council’s agenda focused on cross-sectoral initiatives designed to enhance operational efficiency and align with the UAE Vision 2031 and long-term economic strategies. This high-level engagement highlights the government’s pursuit of excellence through data-driven decision-making, performance assessment, and a cohesive national development agenda.
Review of Government Strategies Across Critical Sectors
The Ministerial Development Council’s session featured detailed presentations on a wide array of national strategies proposed by various ministries. These strategies covered vital sectors, including education, family empowerment, environmental biodiversity, the judicial framework, financial markets, and entrepreneurship support.
Education policy updates included modernizing teaching methods, promoting digital learning tools, and integrating future skills into curricula. These reforms aim to align educational outcomes with labor market demands and prepare youth for the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
Family empowerment strategies emphasized legal and institutional reforms aimed at supporting Emirati families, promoting gender equity, and expanding access to social services. The council reaffirmed the family unit as a cornerstone of national stability and development.
Biodiversity policies presented by environmental authorities focused on conservation strategies, the protection of endangered species, and sustainable development practices aligned with the UAE’s climate goals and commitments under international biodiversity conventions.
Judicial system initiatives included procedural updates, transparency improvements, and efforts to enhance access to justice. These legal reforms aim to strengthen public trust and uphold the rule of law across the nation.
Financial market policy discussions centered on increasing investor confidence, diversifying capital sources, and aligning regulatory frameworks with global best practices. Entrepreneurship strategies involved improving access to financing, regulatory flexibility, and mentorship programs for small and medium-sized enterprises.
Performance Assessment of Ministries and Digital Government Progress
A key component of the council meeting involved reviewing the performance metrics of federal ministries and government entities. These assessments were conducted using advanced analytics tools and were focused on measuring the quality of government service delivery and progress toward digital transformation goals.
Ministries were evaluated based on public satisfaction, service efficiency, and alignment with the UAE’s national digital transformation roadmap. Sheikh Mansour emphasized the importance of a citizen-centric approach, where ease of access, responsiveness, and innovation define government interactions with the public.
The council discussed ongoing digital government initiatives, highlighting the UAE’s leadership in smart governance and AI integration. Emphasis was placed on paperless services, automation of transactions, and the use of big data to enhance decision-making. These initiatives align with the UAE Digital Government Strategy, aimed at building a connected, efficient, and transparent public sector.
Legislative Reviews and Regulatory Updates
The Ministerial Development Council conducted thorough evaluations of proposed legislative amendments and executive regulations across key sectors. Draft laws and regulatory frameworks discussed included those governing public benefit institutions, energy regulation, healthcare, and social development.
The legislation concerning public benefit institutions focused on increasing operational accountability, transparency, and public engagement. Updates were aimed at better defining these institutions’ legal status, oversight mechanisms, and eligibility criteria for state support.
Energy-related legislation addressed the country’s ongoing transition toward clean and sustainable energy sources. The proposals emphasized regulatory modernization to support investment in renewable energy, enhance efficiency, and ensure long-term sustainability in line with the UAE Energy Strategy 2050.
The council also reviewed frameworks for forming specialized federal committees. These committees are envisioned as advisory and executive bodies focused on tackling complex national challenges in fields such as public health, digital security, green finance, and scientific research.
Social and healthcare sector regulations were updated to meet emerging demographic needs, improve health service accessibility, and modernize healthcare infrastructure. These proposals were aligned with the UAE’s post-pandemic recovery strategy and broader goals of inclusive social development.
Enhancing Federal Human Resources and Government Efficiency
During the session, the Council examined strategic plans to enhance productivity and efficiency across the federal government’s human resources systems. The discussion focused on adopting best practices in employee performance assessment, talent development, and workforce planning.
Among the proposals were initiatives to expand training programs, leadership development tracks, and employee wellness programs. Digital tools and AI-powered analytics were proposed to support decision-making, monitor performance, and identify workforce trends. These innovations aim to create a data-driven HR culture across all federal institutions.
The session also reinforced the UAE’s commitment to Emiratisation by promoting greater inclusion of Emiratis in senior and technical government roles. The council emphasized the importance of aligning talent development with future government needs, fostering innovation, and encouraging youth engagement in public service careers.
Revisions to Healthcare and Social Development Policies
Updated policies within the healthcare and social development sectors were also presented during the meeting. These updates aim to increase national readiness, streamline healthcare delivery systems, and ensure equitable access to medical services across all regions of the country.
Proposed healthcare policy revisions included the expansion of telemedicine services, integration of digital health platforms, and new performance benchmarks for medical institutions. These measures are designed to improve patient care, boost efficiency, and reduce long-term public health costs.
Social development updates highlighted improvements in service access for people of determination, elderly care, and family support services. Programs focused on social inclusion, economic empowerment, and community engagement were also reviewed.
The council addressed the need for inter-agency coordination, encouraging partnerships between ministries, NGOs, and the private sector to scale service impact. The long-term goal is to establish a resilient, inclusive, and proactive social development ecosystem across the UAE.
Infrastructure Development and Federal National Council Proposals
One of the final agenda items involved a discussion on national infrastructure plans and Federal National Council (FNC) requests. These discussions reflected a coordinated strategy for upgrading transport networks, utility infrastructure, and smart city solutions.
The council reviewed FNC requests related to improving connectivity between remote areas and urban centers. Priority was given to enhancing the quality and reach of road networks, ensuring energy and water reliability, and integrating green building standards in public infrastructure.
Federal transportation authorities outlined upcoming smart mobility projects, including electric vehicle infrastructure, autonomous public transport, and national railway integration. These projects are designed to reduce emissions, improve logistics, and support economic competitiveness.
Water and energy authorities presented proposals for digitizing grid management, expanding desalination capacity, and improving sustainability metrics. These infrastructure goals are aligned with the UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 initiative and the National Energy Strategy.
In addition, public-private partnerships (PPPs) were highlighted as a critical tool in financing and executing major national projects. The council expressed its intention to increase private sector collaboration in the design, implementation, and maintenance of infrastructure initiatives.