President Sheikh Mohamed on Thursday described family as a “vital pillar of our nation’s future progress” as he attended the Government Annual Meetings on their final day in Abu Dhabi on Thursday.
He said family growth and stability is a shared national responsibility, as he launched the National Family Growth Agenda 2031 and directed that 2026 be designated “Year of the Family”.
This strategy will place promoting family values as an urgent priority within the government of the Emirates as a means to preserve culture and identity.
“The National Family Growth Agenda 2031, launched today at the Government Annual Meetings, sets out a long-term strategic vision that recognises the family as a vital pillar of our nation’s future progress,” he wrote on X. “As a cornerstone of the community and the cradle of our shared values and identity, the family’s growth and stability are a collective priority and a shared national responsibility.”
What will we see during the Year of the Family?
Policies and campaigns will promote the importance of preserving family cohesion and strong relations, state news agency Wam reported.
A national task force has also been formed comprising of more than 20 federal and local government entities concerned with family growth.
These entities will focus on three priority areas: policies and programmes, behavioural interventions and reproductive health.
The task force will look to review current policies and programmes affecting family growth, understand the social motivations impacting family growth and review current reproductive health initiatives.
Key to the future
Sheikh Mohamed said the growth of the Emirati family is related to the country’s existence, identity, future, and national security, Wam reported, adding that “The family is the foundation of any strong society”.
At the Government Annual Meetings, he said the country’s Ministry of Family was established to develop national strategies that promote its growth on the one hand, and its role in society in consolidating values, national identity and education alongside traditions and customs on the other.
He added that addressing the challenges of family growth is not limited to the Ministry of Family alone, but a collective responsibility that requires the participation of all corners of society.
What is the Government Annual Meetings?
This year's summit has also focused on artificial intelligence, the economy, tourism, humanitarian aid and developing national industry.
The event began with “day zero” on Monday, which featured meetings of the UAE Cabinet, five federal councils, and national and local committees. Several announcements and policies have been announced since.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, reflected with pride on the progress made in the meetings.
“Today, we concluded the annual meetings of the UAE Government,” he wrote on X. “We were brought together by shared priorities, unified goals, and common challenges.”
“We take pride in our achievements, we discuss our future, and we unite our efforts and energies to build a better life for people in the Emirates,” he added.
About Karol Nawrocki
• Supports military aid for Ukraine, unlike other eurosceptic leaders, but he will oppose its membership in western alliances.
• A nationalist, his campaign slogan was Poland First. "Let's help others, but let's take care of our own citizens first," he said on social media in April.
• Cultivates tough-guy image, posting videos of himself at shooting ranges and in boxing rings.
• Met Donald Trump at the White House and received his backing.
Various Artists
Habibi Funk: An Eclectic Selection Of Music From The Arab World (Habibi Funk)
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It’ll be summer in the city as car show tries to move with the times
If 2008 was the year that rocked Detroit, 2019 will be when Motor City gives its annual car extravaganza a revamp that aims to move with the times.
A major change is that this week's North American International Auto Show will be the last to be held in January, after which the event will switch to June.
The new date, organisers said, will allow exhibitors to move vehicles and activities outside the Cobo Center's halls and into other city venues, unencumbered by cold January weather, exemplified this week by snow and ice.
In a market in which trends can easily be outpaced beyond one event, the need to do so was probably exacerbated by the decision of Germany's big three carmakers – BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi – to skip the auto show this year.
The show has long allowed car enthusiasts to sit behind the wheel of the latest models at the start of the calendar year but a more fluid car market in an online world has made sales less seasonal.
Similarly, everyday technology seems to be catching up on those whose job it is to get behind microphones and try and tempt the visiting public into making a purchase.
Although sparkly announcers clasp iPads and outline the technical gadgetry hidden beneath bonnets, people's obsession with their own smartphones often appeared to offer a more tempting distraction.
“It's maddening,” said one such worker at Nissan's stand.
The absence of some pizzazz, as well as top marques, was also noted by patrons.
“It looks like there are a few less cars this year,” one annual attendee said of this year's exhibitors.
“I can't help but think it's easier to stay at home than to brave the snow and come here.”
Company profile
Date started: January, 2014
Founders: Mike Dawson, Varuna Singh, and Benita Rowe
Based: Dubai
Sector: Education technology
Size: Five employees
Investment: $100,000 from the ExpoLive Innovation Grant programme in 2018 and an initial $30,000 pre-seed investment from the Turn8 Accelerator in 2014. Most of the projects are government funded.
Partners/incubators: Turn8 Accelerator; In5 Innovation Centre; Expo Live Innovation Impact Grant Programme; Dubai Future Accelerators; FHI 360; VSO and Consult and Coach for a Cause (C3)
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