AAA
A few years ago, I moved to Dubai, intrigued by the futuristic vision of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. I am so inspired by the way this country looks at the future and embraces all the new technologies to improve the services for their citizens and us residents.
Now His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, affirmed that proactiveness, future readiness, and strategic planning are key pillars of the distinguished governance model adopted by the UAE government.
This model further strengthens the country’s global standing in terms of government efficiency and excellence, supports comprehensive and sustainable development across diverse sectors, and accelerates the achievement of targets to advance national visions and strategies.
His Highness said: “We have launched the new strategic planning cycle for the Federal Government for 2031. This plan prioritises artificial intelligence in government planning, process simplification, resource optimisation, and enhanced financial efficiency.”
“While in the past government success was measured by regulatory strength and comprehensive procedures, today it hinges on regulatory agility, streamlined processes, and intelligent resource management, a significantly more complex undertaking. Tools and priorities change, but the unwavering commitment to serve the people of the UAE remains constant,” His Highness added.
Sheikh Mohammed directed teams across ministries and federal government entities to begin developing government strategies based on more innovative and flexible foundations, incorporating artificial intelligence and future technology solutions to accelerate the achievement of goals outlined under the “We the UAE 2031 Vision.”
His Highness issued the directives while launching the new strategic planning cycle titled “Towards Achieving We the UAE 2031 Vision” in the presence of H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Media Council; Mohammed Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs; and Huda Al Hashimi, Head of Strategy and Government Innovation for the UAE Government.
The new strategic planning cycle marks a pivotal phase in developing strategic planning methodologies within the federal government, aligning plans for governmental work with the We the UAE 2031 Vision through a more intelligent, agile, and responsive approach to change.
The new cycle involves 38 federal entities and brings together key public officials, including directors of strategy, future planning, and finance. It adopts the concept of proactive strategic planning as a core component, and is built on key principles including integrating strategic planning with artificial intelligence, simplifying procedures and optimising resource utilisation, activating national initiatives through federal entities’ plans, and adopting smart planning to achieve financial efficiency.
In this context, the Prime Minister’s Office at the Ministry of Cabinet Affairs organised a strategic workshop attended by directors of strategy from ministries and federal government entities. The aim was to introduce salient features of the new cycle, which has been shortened from five years to three years to seamlessly keep pace with rapid global changes and ensure the highest levels of flexibility and capability to accommodate regular plan updates – enhancing government readiness and proactiveness in facing challenges.
Participants explored the main features of the new cycle, including innovation, integration among entities, and future readiness, by promoting collective thinking and close cooperation between strategy and finance directors to ensure policy and project alignment with national vision objectives.
The workshop also reviewed the efforts of federal entities to translate the objectives of the “We the UAE 2031 Vision” into actionable national initiatives and strategies that contribute to building a prosperous and sustainable future. It highlighted several major strategies launched in recent months, most notably the National Cybersecurity Strategy and the National Investment Strategy.
Huda Al Hashimi, Head of Strategy and Government Innovation for the UAE Government, outlined key efforts by federal entities to translate the goals of the “We the UAE 2031 Vision” into tangible national initiatives and strategies that contribute to building a prosperous and sustainable future. On the occasion, she also recalled various national strategies introduced during the previous planning cycle that had actively boosted future planning, bringing along significant national benefits.
The newly launched Federal Government Strategic Plan 2031 is a perfect example of this forward-thinking approach. Under the direction of HH Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the plan will redefine government excellence with a clear focus on AI integration, smart governance, and agile decision-making.
With 12 national priorities, 6 transformation projects, and 38 federal teams already in motion, this initiative places the UAE at the forefront of innovation. And by January 2026, artificial intelligence will officially become part of the Cabinet’s decision-making process; a historic first!
This is the future. And it is happening now.
Ad maiora; to greater things, always.
