His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, as well as the Ruler of Dubai, convened with a distinguished group of individuals, including citizens, business leaders, traders, investors, ministers, senior government and semi-government officials, along with top executives from various private sector enterprises during a meeting held at the Union House in Dubai.
His Highness highlighted that under the leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE continues to make remarkable strides in its exceptional development paradigm, characterized by investment in its people, a strong sense of community, openness to the world, and a willingness to embrace innovation and creativity. He stressed the importance of uniting the efforts of all segments of society, including public and private institutions, to further advance the comprehensive development model, keeping pace with the rapid changes reshaping the global landscape and solidifying the UAE’s status among the world’s leading nations across diverse sectors.
In the presence of Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), and His Highness Sheikh Hasher bin Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Media Incorporated, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed stated that Dubai’s development journey is guided by clarity of vision and boundless ambition. The emirate’s path to progress is also fueled by a lasting partnership between the public and private sectors, reinforcing its position as a leading global hub across various economic and social domains.
His Highness remarked: “Dubai has, over the decades, succeeded in evolving a distinctive development model based on innovation, openness, and competitiveness, making it a preferred global destination for investment, business, and talent. The synergy between government institutions and the business sector, along with the highly productive public-private partnership model, is also worthy of credit. The next phase of this journey calls for accelerating development, further enhancing the quality of life, making significant strides in economic performance and government services, and adopting more resilient and diversified economic models aligned with global shifts and the rapid pace of digital innovation. These efforts will also help us achieve the key goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33.”
Dubai’s vision for the future
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed reaffirmed that Dubai’s futuristic vision is anchored in a competitive and sustainable economy driven by innovation and supported by investments in advanced technology and smart infrastructure. He emphasized the necessity of creating a flexible legislative environment that keeps pace with global economic shifts and meets the aspirations of investors and entrepreneurs. “Dubai will continue to transform its economic and digital landscape, opening new horizons for investors, and implementing high-impact projects that attract the best global talent and companies. Excellence and leadership are not achieved by chance, but through hard work, long-term planning, and the firm belief that nothing is impossible when backed up by an unwavering ambition,” His Highness stated.
Sheikh Mohammed engaged with attendees, discussing the UAE’s sustainable development journey and the remarkable progress it is making across various economic spheres, driven by the leadership’s commitment to providing a supportive environment for the private sector and empowering it to play an active role in accelerating development.
The attendees expressed deep appreciation for His Highness Sheikh Mohammed’s emphasis on fostering direct engagement with various sections of the community, noting that his inspiring leadership approach reflects his vision to promote a culture of collective participation and enhance the role of all segments of society in advancing development and creating an environment conducive to innovation and sustainable growth.
Highlighting the ‘Year of the Community’ initiative
On the sidelines of the gathering, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed and the attendees listened to a talk delivered by Her Excellency Shamma bint Suhail Faris Al Mazrui, Minister of Community Development, about the ‘Year of the Community’ initiative launched by President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Her Excellency outlined the ministry’s key initiatives and strategies under the initiative, emphasizing that it represents a remarkable opportunity to strengthen social cohesion and empower individuals from all segments of society to actively participate in the development journey. She highlighted how the initiative has evolved into a comprehensive federal movement being implemented by various ministries and federal institutions in alignment with the President’s vision of transforming the initiative into a national mission.
Her Excellency emphasized that His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, serves as a genuine role model embodying the values of the ‘Year of the Community.’ She noted that this is clearly reflected in innovative projects and initiatives such as ‘Hewi Dubai,’ the ‘Community Development Fund,’ and the ‘Smart Buildings Policy.’
Her Excellency highlighted the Ministry’s efforts in bringing about a profound transformation through such initiatives. She noted that, through partnerships with Nafis and the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, over 3,800 beneficiaries have gained employment, significantly improving their quality of life and that of their families.
Regarding the enhancement of public welfare systems in the UAE, Her Excellency stated that the necessary legislative environment and financial frameworks have been established to support sustainability and innovation. Today, there are 842 public welfare organizations serving the community, with the involvement of 160,000 members and employees.
Her Excellency noted that the UAE currently offers 70 places of worship for non-Muslims, allowing them to practice their customs and rites in an environment characterized by mutual respect and harmony, attesting to the country’s abiding values of tolerance and unity.
Integrated programs for community engagement
Her Excellency added that the Ministry has launched an integrated package of programs aimed at engaging national cadres, senior citizens, and people of determination to participate in impactful projects that serve the community and contribute to building a cohesive society. Additionally, she highlighted several innovative initiatives launched in collaboration with local and federal entities as well as the private sector, all focused on promoting community sustainability and enhancing individual well-being.
Her Excellency reiterated the importance of collective efforts among individuals and institutions, noting that the ‘Year of the Community’ reflects the leadership’s vision of placing people at the heart of all development initiatives, by building bridges of understanding and solidarity, and supporting community initiatives that strengthen family bonds, national identity, and social cohesion.
Concluding the talk, she emphasized that empowering the community is not merely a temporary goal, but a sustainable approach adopted by the UAE as part of its strategic vision. The Ministry, she said, will continue to support and empower all segments of society through clear action plans and effective partnerships to ensure a more inclusive and sustainable future for all.
On the sidelines of the gathering, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed also welcomed Sheikh Saeed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan and Reem Adel Ahmed Al Zarouni, the winners of the Arab Reading Challenge in the UAE. His Highness congratulated the winners for their outstanding achievement, emphasizing that reading lays the perfect foundation for shaping great minds and that the sons and daughters of the UAE continue to excel in enriching new areas of thought and knowledge, just as they do in innovation and science.
His Highness noted that the winners would serve as excellent role models for a new generation that is driven by the profound understanding that knowledge paves the path to leadership, and that fostering a love of reading is an investment in the nation’s future.
At the conclusion of the event, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed joined the attendees for commemorative photos.
