CHANGE FOR GOOD
HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, is known for his innovative approach toward his country's future, but no one saw this change coming. The 12th Cabinet, with new ministers of happiness, tolerance, and youth, amongst other changes, is set to lead as an example not only in the region but also around the globe.
On February 10th, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, announced the biggest structural change in the UAE government's history, on Twitter. During a three-hour “Dialogue of the Future”, HH Sheikh Mohammed outlined the proposed modifications for all sectors as well as the creation of new ministerial posts and government panels.
Declared by Decree No.28 for the year 2016 and with the approval of HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, the new Ministers of the 12th Cabinet of the UAE government took the oath on February 14th before HH Sheikh Mohammed, at Mushrif Palace in Abu Dhabi, in the presence of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.
The new competent, gender-sensitive and young team will run the government with an eye on the future, and another on happiness, youth, climate change and education. The new 29-member UAE Cabinet has eight new ministers, of which five are women. The new additions mean that the 12th Cabinet now includes a total of eight women and a total average age of 38 years old. The new government will have fewer ministries but more ministers administering the ministries' strategic duties. It will also follow a roadmap for outsourcing most government services to the private sector.
In relation to the government and its realm of foreign affairs, the Ministry of International Cooperation and Development will merge with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the latter will have two ministers of state tasked with overseeing foreign aid and enhancing UAE bilateral relations. The Ministry of Cabinet Affairs will now be called the Ministry of Cabinet Affairs and Future, and it will be in charge of preparing the UAE for a post-oil future. Moreover, a new post has been created in the Minister of State for Tolerance to formalize the tolerance that the UAE already displays into a legal framework
In the realms of economy and labor, the Ministry of Economy will now be connected to the National Council of Tourism and Antiquities. The Ministry of Labor will become the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, and the country's human resources authority, Tanmia, will be attached to it.
When it comes to health, the Ministry of Health has been restructured and renamed the Ministry of Health and Prevention in order to focus more on the prevention of diseases; and an independent entity has been created to oversee and manage public hospitals. On the education side, the ministries of Education and Higher Education have been merged but it will be supported by two ministers of state. The new ministry will now supervise all levels of learning from nurseries to higher education. Furthermore, a Higher Council of Education and Human Resources has been created.
With regards to environment and science, the Ministry of Environment and Water has been renamed to the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment; and a UAE Council of Scientists has been established to review national policy on science, innovation and technology
Finally, in the areas of culture and society, the Ministry of Culture will become the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development. The Ministry of Social Affairs has been renamed the Ministry of Community Development. The most notable changes have been the creation of a Minister of State for Happiness with the mission of channeling policies and plans towards creating a happier society; and the new UAE Youth National Council, which will comprise young men and women who will serve as advisers to the government on youth issues, led by a female Minister of State for Youth who is no older than 22 years old.
CHANGE FOR GOOD
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Year In Review
Steady Ship
The drop in oil prices that shocked economies across the region is exactly the scenario Dubai has been preparing for. While the current climate may have dented its armor, the Emirate's role as a center for international commerce and services is keeping the economy growing.
read articleInterview
HE Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Chairman, DP World Group
TBY talks to HE Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Chairman of DP World Group and CEO/Chairman of the Ports, Customs & Free Zone Corporation, on global economic trends, the “One Belt, One Road” initiative, and investing in India.
read articleInterview
HE Hamad Buamim, President and CEO, Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry
TBY talks to HE Hamad Buamim, President and CEO of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, on business opportunities in Africa, its focus on innovation, and contributing to the development of the private sector.
read articleInterview
Ibrahim Mohamed Aljanahi, Deputy CEO and Chief Commercial Officer , Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority (Jafza)
TBY talks to Ibrahim Mohamed Aljanahi, Deputy CEO and Chief Commercial Officer of Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority (Jafza), on priorities, growth strategies, and investment plans.
read articleInterview
Arif Obaid Al Dehail, CEO of the Departmant of Planning & Development , Trakhees
TBY talks to Arif Obaid Al Dehail, CEO of the Departmant of Planning & Development of Trakhees, on the achievement of the Dubai Special Development Zone, opportunities for investors, and his outlook for the year.
read articleFocus: Government Restructuring
Change for good
HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, is known for his innovative approach toward his country's future, but no one saw this change coming. The 12th Cabinet, with new ministers of happiness, tolerance, and youth, amongst other changes, is set to lead as an example not only in the region but also around the globe.
read articleInterview
Masood Ahmed, Director Middle East and Central Asia , Department of the International Monetary Fund (IMF)
TBY talks to Masood Ahmed, Director Middle East and Central Asia Department of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), on the effects of reduced government spending, the benefits of tax revenues, and having a robust financial system.
read articleInterview
Wissam Khoury, Managing Director, SunGard Financial Systems
TBY talks to Wissam Khoury, Managing Director of Middle East & Africa of SunGard Financial Systems, on working with the Dubai Financial Market, using technology for Islamic banking, and making social media work for companies.
read articleInterview
HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, CEO & Managing Director , Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA)
TBY talks to HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, CEO & Managing Director of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), on mitigating excess energy demand, new initiatives, and conserving water resources.
read articleFocus: Energy Sustainability
Make Hay While The Sun Shines
Dubai has long accepted the importance of energy diversification and environmental responsibility as a means of economic development. With over 300 days of sunshine a year, solar energy presents itself as a clear candidate to substitute traditional sources of power, but it is not the only renewable to play a part in Dubai's clean energy goals.
read articleFocus: IoT
It's a Dubai Thing
The IoT, or Internet of Things, is catching the attention of both the media and IT companies as they begin to see the value in a growing network of physical objects that can connect to the internet. And it certainly hasn't escaped the attention of Dubai, which is looking at every possible avenue to lead the race to become the smartest city in the world.
read articleReview: Transport
Fasten Your Seatbelts
Recent developments in the aviation industry mean that Dubai is well placed to benefit from increased passenger numbers—and an already well-established and international sector is about to accelerate its growth even more. Despite regional instabilities and the stubbornly low price of oil, the industry shows no sign of losing its pep.
read articleInterview
HH Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman & CEO, Emirates Airline & Group
TBY talks to HH Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman & CEO of Emirates Airline & Group, on the future of the aviation industry, staying ahead of the competition, and developments in the pipeline.
read articleInterview
HE Mattar Al Tayer, Director General & Chairman of the Board, Road and Transport Authority (RTA)
TBY talks to HE Mattar Al Tayer, Director General & Chairman of the Board of the Road and Transport Authority (RTA), on rail projects in the pipeline, a new water canal project, and going green.
read articleReview: Maritime
A Look to Seaward
In less than half a century, Dubai has transformed its coastal maritime industry into a force to be reckoned with. Through the development of more facilities and the creation of a more robust regulatory environment, Dubai is looking to cement its place as a center of the global maritime industry.
read articleInterview
Yu Tao, President & CEO, China State Construction Engineering Corporation (Middle East)
TBY talks to Yu Tao, President & CEO of China State Construction Engineering Corporation (Middle East), on potential projects, doing business in Dubai, and the challenges the company has faced.
read articleInterview
Alharith Bin Salem Al Moosa, Vice Chairman and Deputy General Manager, Falconcity
TBY talks to Alharith Bin Salem Al Moosa, Vice Chairman and Deputy General Manager of Falconcity, on the inspiration behind Falconcity, current progress, and keeping up with the latest technologies and ideas.
read articleInterview
HE Humaid Al Qatami, Chairman of the Board and Director-General , Dubai Health Authority (DHA)
TBY talks to HE Humaid Al Qatami, Chairman of the Board and Director-General of the Dubai Health Authority (DHA), on key goals of the Dubai Health Strategy 2016-2021 and the booming medical tourism sector.
read articleInterview
HE Dr. Raja Al Gurg, Vice-Chairperson and Executive Director, Dubai Healthcare City Authority (DHCA)
TBY talks to HE Dr. Raja Al Gurg, Vice-Chairperson and Executive Director of Dubai Healthcare City Authority (DHCA), on how the dynamic free zone model of Dubai Healthcare City is leading as a health and wellness destination.
read articleFocus: Dubai Health Strategy 2021
Healthy choices
Dubai's booming health sector was in need of a robust model that could facilitate and implement the highest international standards. The new Dubai Health Strategy 2016-2021 has laid out the path and aims to put the Emirate's healthcare sector at the forefront of global standards.
read articleInterview
Majid Kaddoumi, Vice President & Regional Managing Director of Middle East, Africa, Central Asia & Turkey, Medtronic META FZ-LLC
TBY talks to Majid Kaddoumi, Vice President & Regional Managing Director of Middle East, Africa, Central Asia & Turkey of Medtronic META FZ-LLC, on leveraging combined capabilities, formulating strategies, and developing the healthcare industry.
read articleReview: Education
Privately Prospering
The education sector in Dubai is entering a period of rapid expansion, growing by 10% YoY, with new schools outpacing population growth. In 2015 alone, 11 new schools opened, including eight British, two Indian, and one Canadian school. There are already 173 private schools in Dubai, and by 2020, 80 new private schools are expected to have opened across the Emirate.
read articleInterview
Prof. Muthanna G. Abdul Razzaq, President & CEO, American University in the Emirates
TBY talks to Prof. Muthanna G. Abdul Razzaq, President & CEO of American University in the Emirates, on the Dubai job market, graduating responsible citizens, and the security of education.
read articleCommuniqué
The Immortality of the Pen
<strong></strong><strong>For many people, fountain pens bring back memories of school days full of inky fingers, smudged exercise books, and piles of pink blotting paper. For others, an elegant silver fountain pen is not only associated with long, sinuous lines of cursive script, but is also a treasured item.</strong>
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