Abu Dhabi: The UAE is taking a very significant step forward over the fourth industrial revolution as the world is on the brink of a technological revolution that will fundamentally change the way we live, work and relate to one another.
By launching the strategy for the fourth industrial revolution on the second day of the annual UAE Government meetings held in Abu Dhabi on September 26-27, the UAE puts itself well ahead of many advanced countries, empowering its people with education, strong economy and a plan for the future that is the most advanced in the world.
The young nation is leading the world by responding to the fourth revolution in an integrated and comprehensive way, involving all stakeholders from the public and private sectors to academia and civil society.
The First Industrial Revolution used water and steam power to mechanise production, while the Second used electric power to create mass production. The Third used electronics and information technology to automate production. Now a fourth industrial revolution is building on the Third, the digital revolution that has been occurring since the middle of the last century. It is characterised by a fusion of technologies that is blurring the lines between the physical, digital, and biological spheres.
The UAE Strategy for the Fourth Industrial Revolution aims to strengthen the UAE’s position as a global hub for the Fourth Industrial Revolution and to increase its contribution to the national economy by means of advancing innovation and future technologies.
“The strategy is launched after the founding father Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan built for us a stable and prosperous nation and left us with one request: ‘to keep working until we become the best in the world’,” His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, said on the first day of the annual meetings, that also saw the launch of 120 strategies designed to advance the country’s development towards UAE Centennial 2071.
The meetings were chaired by Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid and His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.
The annual UAE Government meetings sought to follow up on the objectives and results achieved in the UAE Vision 2021 strategy, which aims to see the UAE become among the best countries in the world in various fields by 2021. The meetings were also a platform for the largest and most comprehensive gathering of its kind for government at both the local and federal levels.
The progress of the 120 initiatives launched in 30 sectors will be assessed at the same meetings in 2018, and then continuously till the goals of UAE Vision 2021 are achieved.
Some of the pillars that the initiatives fall under include laws, services, building national databases, reports and studies, strategic plans, and overall national guidelines.
Addressing ministers and officials at the meetings, Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid said: “A historic lecture by Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed to our young citizens formed the basis of our national vision for the next 50 years. An important aspect of the lecture was preparing for the future of the UAE. Today, 30 teams took the first step towards UAE Centennial 2071.”
He continued: “Natural resources are not everlasting. However, the intellectual person who pioneers the future and adapts to global changes will persevere. We seek to empower many more generations with education, a strong economy and a plan for the future that is the most advanced in the world.
“Those who create the future do not surrender to luck or circumstance; planning the future is the first step in defining it.”
Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed said: “These meetings represent a pioneering national initiative. The UAE’s future prosperity is a responsibility shouldered by everyone in our nation. We can only achieve our ambitious goals for the future with strategic foresight and by acting together as a team.
“Our forefathers are our role models, and set a glowing example of how we can face challenges and build our nation with the future in mind. Today, we seek a prosperous UAE for our future generations, building our nation as one of the best countries in the world. This was always Shaikh Zayed’s desire.”
Mohammad Bin Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and the Future and chairman of the Fourth Industrial Revolution Council, called for intensifying efforts to achieve the vision of the UAE as a leading hub for the Fourth Industrial Revolution. He pointed out that this vision will only be possible by means of cooperation, team work and effective partnerships between government entities.
The meeting also revealed plans to build Mars Scientific City, a Dh500-million project that will simulate life on the red planet.
The City will cover 1.9 million square feet, making it the largest space-simulation city ever built and will provide a viable and realistic model to simulate living on the surface of Mars. The project encompasses laboratories for food, energy and water, as well as agricultural testing and studies about food security in the future. The science city will also boast a museum that displays humanity’s greatest space achievements
The UAE Strategy for the Fourth Industrial Revolution focuses on a number of key fields, including innovative education, introduction of intelligent genomic medicine, ensuring water and food security based on the use of bioengineering sciences and advanced renewable energy technologies and optimising the utilisation of satellite data in the planning of future cities.
UAE launches 120 initiatives in 30 sectors
Abu Dhabi: Some 120 initiatives were launched in 30 sectors at the federal and local levels on the first day of the two-day Annual UAE Government meetings on Tuesday.
The largest governmental gathering of its kind in the UAE saw the launch of strategies designed to advance the country’s development towards UAE Centennial 2071.
The 30 sectors include economics, infrastructure and housing, health and prevention, youth, environment, energy, higher education and scientific research, media, smart services, science, technology and innovation, gender balance, government excellence and more.
The progress of the 120 initiatives will be assessed at the annual meetings in 2018, and then continuously till the goals of UAE Vision 2021 are achieved.
Some of the pillars that the initiatives fall under include laws, services, building national databases, reports and studies, strategic plans, and overall national guidelines.
Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, chaired a meeting with seven committees from the Executive Councils of all emirates, launching three initiatives dedicated to enhancing cooperation between the various councils.
The meetings were attended by over 450 dignitaries, including ministers and heads of executive councils.
