Sheikh Hamdan chairs high-level committee meeting, approves strategic initiatives for citizen wellbeing

Dubai: Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Defence of the UAE, chaired a meeting of the Higher Committee for Development and Citizens Affairs in Dubai on Tuesday.

The meeting focused on approving a series of strategic initiatives under the unified theme: “The Wellbeing and Quality of Life of Citizens.”

During the session, Sheikh Hamdan emphasised that the wellbeing of citizens remains the top priority.

“This is a top priority for His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, whose clear directive guides us: the citizen comes first, second, and third in all our endeavours,” he said.

During the meeting, the committee approved an implementation plan for the utilisation of endowment funds by the Endowments and Minors’ Trust Foundation in Dubai. The plan involves real estate and financial assets valued at Dh10 billion and is expected to generate annual returns of up to Dh1 billion by 2033, ensuring sustainable funding for sustainable initiatives.

Sheikh Hamdan also reviewed a report outlining the committee’s achievements and future plans aimed at enhancing quality of life for citizens. Since the committee’s inception, over 33,400 Emiratis have been employed across both public and private sectors.

Highlighting progress in housing support, Sheikh Hamdan noted that 1,315 housing units had been delivered. Additionally, 10,131 land grants, 8,663 financial and housing grants, and 9,204 loans were distributed.

“Quality housing remains central to our efforts in ensuring citizens’ comfort, stability, and wellbeing,” he said. “We’re building a more prosperous, cohesive, and happy society — and the best is yet to come for Dubai.”

He also announced that 426 Emirati citizens were exempted from housing loan repayments amounting to Dh146 million.

The meeting also saw the launch of two key social initiatives. The ‘Thukhr’ initiative aims to honour retirees for their contributions to the emirate, offering a comprehensive suite of programmes to support and empower them.

Additionally, the ‘Ghamran Camp Initiative’ was approved — a programme designed to bring fathers and sons together in the Dubai desert to foster social skills, strengthen intergenerational communication, and reinforce core Emirati values.