Work harder to achieve national aims for 2021, Sheikh Mohammed says

DUBAI // The UAE must double its efforts to fulfil its goals for 2021, says Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid.

The Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai on Monday hailed the Government’s commitment to achieving the aims of the National Agenda at a meeting of 500 officials at Etihad Museum. “Our Government is focused on rapid and steady accomplishments to achieve the goal of making the UAE one of the best countries in the world by 2021, our nation’s 50th anniversary,” he said.

Sheikh Mohammed also evaluated the progress of 36 teams that were set up last October to carry out the agenda in areas such as healthcare, education, the economy, the environment and infrastructure, society, and security and the judiciary.

Among the initiatives discussed was a national study to identify students’ obstacles in enrolling for higher education.

The healthcare plans include programmes for cancer monitoring and prevention, a national cancer registry, and efforts to prevent cardiovascular disease and childhood obesity.

The plans for the security sector include emergency readiness, improved road safety and methods to curb rumours.

Dr Thani Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Climate Change and the Environment, presented a plan for waste management, which includes projects such as a website that connects waste producers to parties that could benefit from the waste.

For the economy, officials presented projects to support small and medium-sized businesses and new companies, and offered ideas for improving the UAE’s ranking in the international Ease of Doing Business Index.

They suggested reducing the waiting period for electricity connection, a scheme to develop land-management systems and settlement of land disputes, and protection for investors in financial markets.

An Emirati heritage encyclopaedia and a national behaviour award were proposed to promote Emirati identity.

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