International delegates praise UAE’s governmental changes

Dubai: International visitors and speakers at the World Government Summit praised the changes in the structure of the UAE’s federal government, which were announced on Monday.

Several ministries were restructured and new ministerial positions created as part of sweeping changes announced by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, during a live dialogue on Twitter as part of the three-day World Government Summit.

Jan Eliasson, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, lauded the UAE on Tuesday in wake of a cabinet overhaul by Shaikh Mohammad.

He said he was glad to see the UAE take steps to modernise its ministries to meet the challenges of today in areas such as the environment and for youth.

Noting that “reform is crucial” to meet tomorrow head on, Eliasson said he was “impressed” with the new Ministry of Youth portfolio that calls for a minister to be under the age of 22.

“I was particularly impressed that you are creating the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment.”

Finance professor at The Wharton School Bulent Gultekin said having a minister under the age of 22 is a positive signal for the youth.

“It’s a signal for youth to be more active in the government’s development. It also gives them responsibility,” he said.

An educational government official from the US who preferred not to be named also commended the UAE’s move of merging the Ministry of Education and The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.

“Having one authority responsible for students’ education from kindergarten to university is a crucial move for providing well-rounded services to the people,” she said.