Liwa: "The human being is the core of our thinking and interest. Everything starts with human beings and ends with human beings."
With these words His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, exhorted Cabinet ministers to work harder and serve their nation and their people.
He was addressing the ministers at the end of their retreat at Qasr Al Sarab resort in Liwa.
"We are very happy to be in this historic place where Bani Yas ancestors grew up and protected it from enemies. We are proud of our ancestors who lived on this land, protected it and how they coped with difficult circumstances, but the most important thing is that they protected it.
"This retreat is not just another Cabinet meeting, but we also spoke and you [ministers] were honest while discussing topics. Of course, the UAE has achieved a lot since the day it was formed. We are only completing what the country's founding fathers started — we continue to serve the country and its people, just like they did," Shaikh Mohammad said.
While urging ministers to strive harder, he ruled out a Cabinet reshuffle at the moment.
"I want to say that there is some talk about a Cabinet reshuffle, but I tell you that there is no reshuffle at the moment. But every minister in his ministry will be evaluated and there will be a strategy in the evaluation of each minister, of which not just I will know, but you will know, the people will know and the media will know. So for those who fall short, cannot serve their country, their people and are arrogant, there might be changes.
"We are all at stake, and we all have a clear strategy before us. As Shaikh Mansour [Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs] said, strategy changes based on our understanding of the time and the journey."
Shaikh Mohammad said an ambitious nation must look forward where the goal of the vision is the human being. "As a country we have achieved and our advancement has made people envious. We have seen this in the media, but we don't pay attention because we are confident about ourselves and our people.
"An ambitious nation cannot rely on the past or current achievements, but looks forward to scoring more achievements by striving hard and being vigilant to overcome challenges.
"The goal of this vision as you said is the human being. In any country, the human being is the main focus. The human being is the core of our thinking and interest. Everything starts with human beings and ends with human beings. The aim is to provide comfort for the Emirati man and boost the federation which will make us strong."
He stressed the need to have strong social ties between families and members of society as per the vision of President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
"Today we have to have social bonds. People with experiences give us the trust to go along with the best in the world. We have to be the best in the world. We have potential, knowledge and experience.
"A large number of different nationalities live in the UAE. We need to take the good that they have to offer. Our Islamic Arabic roots is our treasure and we have to implant our moderate values, national identity and our Arabic language in the new generations.
"We were talking yesterday that globalisation was coming but we need to preserve our national identity and Arabic language. The UAE will remain loyal to its ancestors' vision, their efforts and sacrifice to build the federation, which will be the main guarantee for national security," Shaikh Mohammad said.
He stressed that equal care must be given to all emirates. "We need to take care of all emirates and there should not be any emirate that is marginalised.
"In 2021, the federation will complete 50 years. The Cabinet will have to prepare for this day. We have to be the best, not among the top 10 or top 9. If we are not the best, we will not work hard. We always put the human being on the top of our investment, attract the best people in all fields and nurture them. We give citizens a long life span by providing them the best services and making them aware of dangers of disease.
"We provide the best education to help citizens contribute to society. We also provide a strong social environment, distinguished government services and strong infrastructure. The UAE is aware of its eco-system and the need to preserve it for the future generations. Our meeting was special at this place," Shaikh Mohammad said.
