UAE Centennial is a long-term government plan based on the recent and crucial keynote lecture given by His Highness Sheikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

It is a comprehensive government plan that encompasses a national strategy to strengthen the country’s reputation and soft power; ensure that government revenue is diversified, relying less on oil; introduce education programmes focused on advanced Information Technology and engineering and consistently build Emirati values and ethics for future generations. Enhancing the productivity of the national economy and enhancing community cohesion are also important aspects of the project.

Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid said, “Sheikh Mohammad Bin Zayed’s lecture has charted a path and laid the foundation for the future of the UAE. Our objective is for future generations in the UAE to live happier lives in a thriving environment with abundant opportunity, more connectivity and global influence.”

The programme focuses primarily on investing in UAE youth, and working toward making the UAE the best country in the world by 2071, the nation’s 100th anniversary.

Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid elaborated, “We have established a clear strategy for 2021; UAE Centennial goes beyond that, with a five-decade vision for future generations that provides the government a clear roadmap for long-term development.”

He explained, “We must plant the seeds today for future generations to grow and prosper tomorrow. The world is rapidly changing, and we must equip our youth with the new tools, knowledge and skills needed to thrive in an ever-evolving environment.”

“Establishing a long-term strategy based on a vision for happy future generations will guarantee sustainable development and lasting joy for decades in our country,” he said.

UAE Centennial 2071 aims to prepare young Emiratis for the future to ensure prosperity, growth and the continuity of the UAE’s values. This will create security and happiness, allowing future generations to excel and contribute to making the UAE the best country in the world.

The programme will focus on four main objectives. The first is to develop a flexible government with mindful leadership and a clear vision that prioritises the people and spreads positive messages. The second is to invest in education, focusing on advanced IT and establishing professionalism and ethics in educational institutions. The third is to establish a diversified, globally competitive economy, and the fourth is to consolidate the values of tolerance, social cohesion and respect in society within a comprehensive development plan to make the UAE the best country in the world.

Future-focused government

The objectives of the government, under UAE Centennial 2071, include establishing the government of the UAE as the best government in the world, with a long-term vision and inspirational leadership that anticipates, and prepares for, the future. Other objectives include achieving happiness in society and spreading positive messages internally and to the world, developing mechanisms for monitoring long-term variables in various sectors and measuring their impact on future generations, and establishing Youth Advisory Councils to consider young citizens’ perspectives when establishing development policies. Importantly, one key objective is to create an effective government mechanism to oversee the implementation and progress of UAE Centennial 2071.

Excellent education

Regarding education, UAE Centennial 2071 highlights the importance of excellent quality of education in ensuring future generations are ready to serve their communities and excel. Certain areas of focus in education include advanced science and technology, space science, engineering, innovation and health sciences. Also included is the importance of teaching students to look ahead and instilling a culture of openness by teaching history, culture, the civilisations of other countries and teaching new languages such as Japanese, Chinese and Korean. Other educational measures include teaching students mechanisms for discovering their individual talents early. On the institutional level, educational institutions are encouraged to innovate and transform to become international research centres, strengthening the system of continuous learning and ensuring the presence of UAE universities on lists of the best universities in the world to attract globally diversified students, academics and researchers.

A diversified economy

In terms of the economy, UAE Centennial 2071 seeks to establish a diversified economy by, among other things, increasing the productivity of the national economy, supporting national companies so they may become competitive on the global stage and investing in research and development in promising sectors. The objective is to establish an economy based on innovation, leadership and advanced industries, developing a national economic and industrial strategy that envisions future sectors and places the UAE among the world’s major economies. In this regard, another objective is to nurture a generation of Emirati inventors and scientists, supporting their contributions, and exporting advanced national products and services to the world through specialised incentive programmes, and supporting the growth of UAE’s leading companies globally.

A happy and cohesive society

Community development is an integral part of UAE Centennial 2071. Some objectives in this regard include establishing a secure, tolerant, cohesive and ethical society that embraces happiness and a positive lifestyle, and provides a high quality of life (including in health and sports). Investing in people is also important, including consolidating the values of humility and serving the nation through the development of training programmes for students. The pillar also focuses on developing programmes to prepare future generations to serve as UAE ambassadors and role models, as well as promoting women’s participation in all sectors, making the UAE one of the best places in the world to live.