Dubai government summit calls for 'sustainable and inclusive' development

The Government Summit hosted representatives from the UN, World Bank and World Economic Forum, as well as other regional and international delegates from over 30 countries. The focus was a detailed discussion on the UAE's development of government services.

Prime Minister and Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, opened the inaugural summit in front of more than 2,500 attendees and outlined empowerment, education and Emiratisation as leadership priorities for the nation. The Dubai ruler fielded a variety of questions submitted by the media and public, which ranged from women in the workforce, education, future challenges and his vision for the nation.

"What we have done in the UAE is no more than 10% of the vision I have. People in the field who work hard, acquire knowledge and learn from mistakes will have a broader vision, one that is not limited. So whatever has been done would be considered little and there will always be a long way to go," Sheikh Mohammed said.

A video clip of Sheikh Mohammed opening The Government Summit was added to the UAE vice president's official YouTube account last night.




Former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown added that evaluating the performance of the region's educational system against other competitive economies, and acting upon the needs of the younger generation will determine long-term economic success.

"It is important to tap the potential of every child and this can be achieved only by providing the best basic general education to all," explained Brown, pointing out that investment in education must be matched with a focus on innovation, technological expertise and ensuring that opportunities are widely spread.

UAE Minister of State, Reem Al Hashemi, said the UAE's 'Vision 2021' will serve as a roadmap to define government priorities and maintain a focus on societal welfare. She also highlighted the successes of the nation's women, who now represent over 65% of the governments workforce.

"This is the result of the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President & Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, who has focused on the importance of women to be part of the decision-making process," she said.

Social media still key tool for government

Dubai School of Government's Executive President, Tareq Lootah, hosted an interactive session on social media, explaining its importance as a tool for citizen engagement. He said social media platforms are encouraging governments to keep up with the pace of change and that the UAE government is developing strategies to offer better services for the public.

A recent survey by the Dubai School of Government revealed that government officials and employees are generally willing to communicate electronically, though some customers remain cautious. The study also found that most government offices are electronically savvy and have now established e-services.