His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, chaired the first UAE Cabinet meeting of the new year 2023 at Qasr Al Watan Abu Dhabi, in the presence of H.H. Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Finance; H.H. Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior; and H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Presidential Court.

Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum affirmed that the UAE Cabinet will always be the engine of developing policies and strategies to achieve the vision of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the aspirations of the people of the UAE in building the best economic, social and developmental environment.

He added, “Today, I chaired the new year’s first meeting of the UAE Cabinet… We reviewed the outcomes of 2022, where the Cabinet has approved and developed more than 900 decisions, 22 government policies, 68 federal laws, 113 national regulations and 71 international agreements.”

He said, “In the previous year, the government formed more than 120 teams from 110 federal and local entities and 50 private sector entities to work on updating more than 100 social, economic, educational and regulatory federal laws… Thanks to these teams’ efforts, today we became the most adaptable and responsive government in the world.”

He noted that the UAE was among the best 5 countries in the world in 339 development, economic and social indicators in 2022.

Mohammed bin Rashid added, “Today, we approved 5 government priorities of 2023… establishing the national identity, enhancing environment’s sustainability, developing the educational system, accelerating the Emiratisation process and expanding our international economic partnerships.”

National Strategy for Desertification

The UAE Cabinet approved the National Strategy for Desertification, which includes (33) major initiatives and a national action agenda until the year 2030. The Strategy is based on five axes, with the aim of preserving ecosystems, improving the condition of arid and drylands, and mitigating and adapting to the effects of climate change on ecosystems affected by desertification.

Integrated incentives to support the Space Sector

The Cabinet approved the issuance of a decision to regulating permits for space activities and space-related activities, in the framework of strengthening and supporting the space sector in the country, stimulating its investments and attracting investors from all over the world.

The Cabinet approved the issuance of a decision to ensure compensation for damage caused to third parties during space activities. The meeting also approved the issuance of the decision to regulate space resource activities in line with the objectives of the national space policy.

Integrated system for financing federal higher education institutions

During the meeting, the Cabinet approved the system for financing the current federal education institutions as the reference for financing these institutions, and instructing the Ministry of Education to take the necessary measures and issue guidelines for implementing the system, in coordination with all concerned authorities.

Monitoring customer satisfaction for government services

The Cabinet approved the Government Services Observatory, which constitutes an interactive digital platform that displays customer satisfaction in real time with government services and their impressions of the various available channels, such as websites, smart applications, and service delivery centres.

The Cabinet approved the re-formation of the Emirates Council for Food Security. Also, the meeting also approved the unified financial procedures guide for donations and financial transfers outside the country.

The Cabinet also approved the issuance of a federal decree ratifying an agreement with the Government of the Independent State of Samoa, the Government of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, cooperation agreements with the Republic of Serbia, and an agreement with the Government of the Italian Republic.