Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, on Monday approved the Dh42 billion ($11.44 billion) expansion of a major initiative aimed at improving quality of life in the emirate.
The Liveability Strategy – which was launched in 2023 – has already resulted in more than Dh12 billion of investment in 60 projects focused on championing community well-being and public health.
More than 200 parks and sports courts, 24 schools, 21 mosques and 28 community majlises have been constructed under the large-scale plan. The scheme has also funded the development of about 220km of street lighting, 120km of walking paths, 283 cycling tracks and 200 beautification works.
Sheikh Khaled gave the green light to the next stage of the strategy – which is being overseen by the Department of Municipalities and Transport – while chairing the latest meeting of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council.
The Abu Dhabi Crown Prince emphasised the government's commitment to raising the standard of living for Emirati families by investing in community services and bolstering infrastructure and amenities across residential areas and neighbourhoods. He underlined that the well-being of citizens remains at the heart of the government's priorities, highlighting the importance of strengthening social cohesion.
Boosting living standards
The expansion of the liveability scheme comes after Abu Dhabi set out a Dh106 billion master plan to develop 13 new residential communities featuring more than 40,000 homes and land plots for Emiratis.
The large-scale housing plan – unveiled in the presence of President Sheikh Mohamed at Qasr al Bahr on Wednesday – is in support of a wider drive to enhance the living standards of UAE citizens.
The Abu Dhabi Housing Authority and the Abu Dhabi Projects and Infrastructure Centre signed agreements with several property development companies to put the plan into action. It will include the construction of 25,244 housing units for Emiratis over the next five years, at a total cost of Dh94 billion.
A further 14,876 residential plots will be developed at a cost of Dh12 billion, the state news agency Wam reported.
AI-powered future
The council was also briefed on the progress of the Abu Dhabi Government Digital Strategy 2025-2027, which aims to position the emirate as the world’s top-ranked AI-powered government by 2027. Sheikh Khaled stressed the importance of harnessing advanced technologies to drive the productivity and efficiency of Abu Dhabi's government services.
Led by the Department of Government Enablement – Abu Dhabi in collaboration with the emirate’s other government entities, the programme will allocate Dh13 billion between 2025 and 2027 to boost digital infrastructure, automate 100 per cent of government processes, and integrate sovereign cloud computing across all operations.
The strategy is expected to contribute more than Dh24 billion to Abu Dhabi’s economy by 2027 and create more than 5,000 employment opportunities supporting Emiratisation efforts.
The strategy also emphasises citizen empowerment through AI training under the AI for All programme, while introducing more than 200 AI-driven solutions to government services. It is intended to streamline operations with a unified enterprise resource planning platform and ensure robust cyber security frameworks.
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
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The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
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SPECS
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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United States
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China
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UAE
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Japan
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Norway
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Canada
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Singapore
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Australia
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Saudi Arabia
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South Korea
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England squad
Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford, Nick Pope, Aaron Ramsdale
Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Conor Coady, Marc Guehi, Reece James, Harry Maguire, Tyrone Mings, Luke Shaw, John Stones, Ben White
Midfielders: Jude Bellingham, Conor Gallagher, Mason Mount, Jordan Henderson, Declan Rice, James Ward-Prowse
Forwards: Tammy Abraham, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe, Raheem Sterling
Biography
Favourite Meal: Chicken Caesar salad
Hobbies: Travelling, going to the gym
Inspiration: Father, who was a captain in the UAE army
Favourite read: Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki and Sharon Lechter
Favourite film: The Founder, about the establishment of McDonald's
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
Results
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War 2
Director: Ayan Mukerji
Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana
Rating: 2/5
About Okadoc
Date started: Okadoc, 2018
Founder/CEO: Fodhil Benturquia
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Healthcare
Size: (employees/revenue) 40 staff; undisclosed revenues recording “double-digit” monthly growth
Funding stage: Series B fundraising round to conclude in February
Investors: Undisclosed
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
