His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, chaired today a Cabinet meeting at Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi.
During the meeting, the UAE Cabinet reviewed the latest national infrastructure project, the Etihad Rail Passenger Train, which has a speed of 350 kilometers per hour. The new high-speed train project linking Abu Dhabi and Dubai was announced on January 23.
In a post on social media platform X, Sheikh Mohammed said that the project’s “contribution to the GDP will exceed AED145 billion over the next five decades. The Etihad Rail represents a new national ambition, federal artery, and a future in which we complete our future infrastructure to remain the best and most modern in the world.”
National Cybersecurity Strategy
During the meeting, the UAE Cabinet approved the National Cybersecurity Strategy, based on five main pillars: governance, protection, innovation, establishing and building, and partnership.
The strategy seeks to establish a cohesive and highly effective governance framework for cybersecurity, ensure a secure, resilient, and sound digital environment, enable the safe and swift adoption of innovations, enhance national capabilities in digitization and cybersecurity and bolster partnerships and collaborative relations at both national and international levels.
“The UAE is in the highest category globally in the Global Cybersecurity Index 2024. We have a digital infrastructure that is among the most secure and advanced in the world. We will continue in the coming period to establish and provide a model, secure and flexible digital environment that enhances and protects our national digital gains,” Sheikh Mohammed added.
Emirates Council for Logistics Integration
Sheikh Mohammed added that the UAE Cabinet decided to establish the Emirates Council for Logistics Integration, chaired by Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure.
The Council will work towards aligning and integrating policies, strategies, and programs in the logistics sector, developing the country’s logistics infrastructure and monitoring sector performance in coordination with relevant entities.
“The goal is to coordinate efforts and achieve integration in roles to enhance the country’s global position as a link for global trade, as it includes all active and concerned parties in this sector, federally and locally, from ports, roads, transportation, customs, trains, ports and others,” stated Sheikh Mohammed.
He added that the size of the sector in 2023 amounted to approximately AED129 billion. “Our goal is to reach a sector exceeding AED200 billion within the next seven years,” he added.

Government Innovation Month
The UAE Cabinet also launched the Government Innovation Month. The 10th edition of the Innovation Month was launched on February 1st, 2025, under the title “The Power of Innovation 10 – Where Does Your Strength Lie?”, completing a full decade since the launch of its first session, and coinciding with the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Mohammed bin Rashid Center for Government Innovation.
Commenting on the launch, Sheikh Mohammed said: “Innovation has become part of the government’s culture, its way of working, and its mechanisms for implementing its work. We previously established the Mohammed bin Rashid Center for Government Innovation, which now issues the best practices and knowledge to more than 30 governments around the world in the field of government innovation.”
Sheikh Mohammed reiterated the UAE’s commitment to innovation, stating that it will remain part of raising the effectiveness and efficiency of the government, facilitating people’s lives and developing their businesses in the UAE.
UAE Strategy for Talent Attraction and Retention 2031
The UAE Cabinet also approved the launch of a new phase of the UAE Strategy for Talent Attraction and Retention 2031.
The strategy focuses on attracting and retaining global talent in key sectors, including technology, renewable energy, healthcare and biotechnology, logistics and aviation, advanced industries, financial services, food and water technology, and creative economy, to reinforce the UAE’s standing as a global hub for expertise and innovation.
API-First Policy
Moreover, the UAE Cabinet approved the API-First Policy, which includes the requirements and procedures that must be followed by ministries and federal entities in their technological and digital systems and applications to ensure their rapid interconnection and integration with other systems, governmental or private, in accordance with the approved policies and programs in this regard.
The new policy also regulates the relationship between providers and users and enhances the partnership between the public and private sectors in providing government services.

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UAE National Geospatial Data Policy
The UAE Cabinet also approved the UAE National Geospatial Data Policy, which aims to enhance cooperation and coordination among all entities involved in geospatial information.
The policy aims also to regulate, develop, and safeguard the management of geospatial information, data, systems, and services, to promote their utilization, and to establish mechanisms that contribute to effective decision-making.
Furthermore, the Cabinet approved the UAE’s accession to the World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (WAIPA) to enhance international cooperation, establish strategic partnerships with investment promotion agencies worldwide, and exchange best practices to strengthen investment attraction efforts.
Cabinet ratifies and approves 33 agreements
During the meeting, the UAE Cabinet also ratified and approved 33 international agreements and memoranda of understanding with several countries. Among others, the Cabinet approved the ratification of 4 agreements between:
- The UAE and the Government of the State of Qatar on the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion, related to taxes on income.
- The UAE and the government of Kuwait on the avoidance of double taxation, related to taxes on income and capital and the prevention of tax evasion and avoidance.
- The UAE and the government of Australia on the encouragement and protection of investments.
- The UAE and the Government of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan on cooperation and mutual administrative assistance in customs matters.