His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, attended three retreats held on Day 0 of the UAE Government Annual Meetings 2024 in Abu Dhabi.
These were the ‘Artificial Intelligence Retreat’, the ‘National Identity Retreat’, and ‘Family Retreat’.
AI retreat
Setting the tone for deliberations during the AI retreat, His Highness stated: “The UAE has firmly established its leadership among the world’s most future-focused nations, securing a prominent position at the forefront of AI advancements that will transform all sectors. We are committed to not only maintaining but reinforcing this leadership by building our capacities. This can be realized by strengthening infrastructure, data preparedness, and legislative frameworks, while intensifying the training and development of our national workforce, the backbone of our country’s future.”
“The UAE’s foresight and strategic planning have led to extraordinary achievements in this rapidly evolving field. We are one of the best prepared nations to seize opportunities within the sector, leveraging these advancements to elevate quality of life and accelerate economic growth and all-round development. As we have the resources and a globally competitive talent pool, our ambitions are boundless in spearheading future trends and pioneering this sector,” he added.
Sheikh Mohammed commended the efforts of national entities that have contributed to the success of the UAE’s AI strategy. Moreover, he praised the retreat for bringing together diverse entities under one umbrella to share insights and align frameworks and plans, aiming to amplify impact and achievements in this critical domain.
His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court; His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE; His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of the UAE; and Lieutenant General His Highness Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister And Minister of Interior, attended the retreat.
National Identity Retreat
Sheikh Mohammed also reviewed the agenda of the national identity retreat, jointly organized by the Ministry of Culture and the National Projects Office at the Presidential Court. The event brought together ministers and key decision-makers to develop actionable plans to accelerate progress in this strategic priority area.
Commending the proactive and collaborative efforts of the Ministry of Culture and the National Projects Office at the Presidential Court, Sheikh Mohammed directed the development of a nationwide framework for national identity, unifying related initiatives and projects under a comprehensive national plan that reflects the UAE’s values, historical journey, and culture.
Family Retreat
At the family retreat, His Highness attended key discussions involving officials and decision-makers focused on developing innovative and actionable plans aimed at strengthening families, ensuring their stability, and safeguarding their values in the face of rapid global changes.
Moreover, Sheikh Mohammed emphasized that the family remains the fundamental pillar of the UAE and the cornerstone of its comprehensive development plans. Ensuring family stability and community wellbeing, His Highness said, is a core government priority that reinforces national achievements and advances the nation’s prosperity and the overall welfare of its citizens.
“In the UAE, we are all one big family whose wellbeing stems from the stability and happiness of every individual,” Sheikh Mohammed said. “Thus, empowering our families, enhancing their quality of life, and ensuring their stability are paramount to the UAE government. While embracing global collaboration and future trends, we must safeguard our families’ values and traditions, fostering a national identity capable of navigating change while rooted in our heritage.”
Chaired by Sheikh Mohammed, the annual government meetings brought together over 500 officials from federal and local government entities, the private sector, and community institutions.
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