Sheikh Mohammed's radical reform of the UAE federal government

Indeed, this more detailed strategy fulfills the broad outline presented by Sheikh Khalifa in his National Programme in December 2005. Together with the new UAE Strategic Plan this represents a remarkable policy sea change and a focus on the comprehensive modernization of UAE government and society.

It was hardly more than five years ago that Sheikh Mohammed shook the Dubai courts from their old habits with a series on early morning visits that alerted him to major problems. The swift replacement of key officials and procedural reforms benefited everybody.

Judicial reform

He now plans to initiate a similar change of culture in the federal courts, noting that his recent field trips drew his 'utmost dissatisfaction' with court practices 20 years behind the times. 'We will not allow this to continue,' he said. 'We will not accept that people's cases and rights get stuck in courts, in a long sequence of useless procedures.'

His Highness also pointed to the need for radical reform in public education. One study recently showed that Emirati children spend less time in the classroom than anywhere in the world. Sheikh Mohammed said the main problem was not the education budget but the use of 'old fashioned teaching methods that encourage memorization instead of research.'

However, he cautioned against the use of rapid Emiratisation and particularly criticized a recent policy of national-only secretaries and HR managers. He said it was easy to impose Emiratisation at any time, but the nation still needed to learn from the 'knowledge, skill and expertise' of its expatriate community first.

At the same time, the elimination of an estimated 300,000 illegal laborers is to be a national priority with tougher penalties for offenders, including possible imprisonment.

Poor health

For the health sector the message was again not a lack of funding but problems with implementation. 'Medical sciences are advancing at a very fast pace, while we have doctors who have not updated their medical knowledge or attended a single medical conference in 20 years,' His Highness commented.

Meanwhile, Sheikh Mohammed wants to modernize the UAE federal civil service machine by updating legislation, simplifying transaction procedures and upgrading public services. Those who have seen the eGovernment revolution in Dubai since 2000 will see this as an objective that is both practical and essential for the health of the UAE's economy and society.

It is also a very clever move to put such a short, three-year timeframe on these reforms. The cry of 'inshallah' is therefore likely to fall on deaf ears. And those officials who fail to heed Sheikh Mohammed's rally to action could find themselves receiving the customary generous retirement package.