Abu Dhabi: The UAE Cabinet on Sunday approved the National Policy for Senior Citizens that aims to provide them with a decent life after retirement and ensure their active engagement in their country’s development progress.
The newly approved policy includes seven main pillars, namely health care, community involvement and active life, effective civic participation, infrastructure and transportation, financial stability, safety and security, and quality of future life.
The national policy was approved during Sunday’s cabinet meeting chaired by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, at Presidential Palace in Abu Dhabi.
The meeting was attended by Shaikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interiors.
The Cabinet stressed that providing a decent living conditions for senior Emiratis comes in implementation to the directives of President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to provide a decent life for all segments of society in line with the UAE vision 2021 and the UAE Centennial Plan 2071.
Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid said: “We have issued directives to replace the term “Elderly” with “Senior Emiratis” and we approved the National Policy for Senior Citizens to improve the quality of their life and ensure their continued and active participation in the UAE society. Senior citizens are senior in their experience and giving. The social cohesion would not have been possible without ensuring a dignified life for them”.
“Our senior Emiratis are an inexhaustible source of giving and I urge all Emiratis to learn from their experience and embrace the culture of giving, dedication and sincerity”, Shaikh Mohammad said.
Shaikh Mohammad added: “We will never forget what they have and are still offering the UAE, and we say to them “You are our example and source of pride. Providing you with comfort, health care, stability, and quality life are a national and humanitarian duty and the UAE government is always giving back to everyone who contributes to its renaissance”.
During the meeting, the Cabinet members congratulated the UAE leadership for selecting Abu Dhabi to host the 26th IAVE World Volunteer Conference 2020.
The Cabinet also approved the unified Financial Procedures Manual for the Federal Government. in order to improve the performance of government action, simplify procedures and achieve satisfaction among employees working in the federal bodies.
The Council of Ministers also endorsed the mandatory standard specifications in the oil and gas sector to ensure that products comply with the approved standard specifications, maintain safety and health protection and reduce any negative environmental effects of petroleum products.
The Cabinet adopted an agreement on the liberalisation of trade in services to enhance the competitiveness of the UAE’s commercial and service Sector. It also adopted an Air Transport Agreement between the UAE and Ireland, and another Air Transport Services Agreement with Ghana.
Seven Pillars of Senior Emirati Policy
Health care: It involves focus on preventive measures that guarantee the safety and rights of senior citizens in the community. It includes a number of initiatives, such as launching a rehabilitation and to provide basic health insurance to senior citizens in all emirates
Community involvement and active life: It includes initiatives such as organising training courses to enhance skills and develop capabilities in the use of modern technology through social development centres and organising sports activities for senior citizens
Effective civic participation: It includes initiatives such as launching a programme to attract experienced retirees in different fields to benefit from their expertise
Infrastructure and transportation: This pillar aims to encourage joint action to provide competitive housing and infrastructure services in various areas, including initiatives such as preparation of the city-friendly specifications and standards guide.
Financial stability: It aims to provide necessary knowledge to ensure the financial stability of senior citizens and includes initiatives such as attracting support from local institutions in support of leading projects to provide facilities for senior citizens.
Safety and security: It aims to protect senior citizens by launching a training programme to detect and protect them from abuse and violence and a hotline to receive their complaints.
Quality of future life: This pillar aims to provide comfort and decent living for senior citizens through a number of initiatives, such as granting special discounts to users of public transport of senior citizens, and preparing a cultural exchange program for retirees
