The UAE Cabinet, chaired by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, has approved a wide-ranging set of national initiatives during a meeting held at Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi, reaffirming the country’s commitment to balanced development, global competitiveness, and sustainable growth. The session came as the UAE was ranked fifth globally in the 2025 IMD World Competitiveness Ranking—its highest to date.
UAE Among Top Five Globally in Competitiveness
During the meeting, the Cabinet reviewed the UAE’s performance in the latest IMD World Competitiveness Ranking, where the country climbed two places to reach fifth globally, surpassing major economies including the United States, Germany, and Canada.
The UAE ranked first worldwide in indicators such as absence of bureaucracy, global expertise availability, and digital transformation in companies. It also ranked second in adaptability of government policies and social cohesion, and third in business efficiency and use of digital tools.
This marks a significant improvement since 2009, when the country stood at 28th place. Officials attributed this rise to long-term investment in competitiveness, government efficiency, and strategic reforms across key sectors.
AED 1.2 Billion in Housing Grants Approved
The Cabinet approved housing grants for 1,838 Emirati citizens in the first half of 2025, with a total value exceeding AED 1.2 billion. This initiative is part of ongoing efforts to promote family stability and enhance living standards across the nation.
Balanced Development and Community Projects
The Emirates Council for Balanced Development presented its 2024 achievements, which included major projects in regions such as Qidfa, Masfout, Al Sila’, and Al Rams. These developments ranged from waterfronts and cycling tracks to cultural restorations and tourism initiatives.
The “UAE Villages Councils” programme, under the “Jothoor” initiative, was also launched to empower female artisans, support families, and promote traditional crafts through community-led markets and events.
Expansion of the Digital Government Ecosystem
The Cabinet reviewed progress on the UAE’s unified digital identity system, which has now registered over 11 million users and facilitated more than 600 million secure logins. The platform connects 130 public and private sector entities and has enabled 2.6 billion digital transactions to date.
National Maritime Navigation Center Established
A new National Maritime Navigation Center will be established under the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure. The center will monitor maritime traffic, manage a unified maritime database, and enhance safety and environmental protection in UAE waters.
Steps to Combat Money Laundering Strengthened
The Cabinet approved the restructuring of the Higher Committee for Overseeing the National Strategy on Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism. The committee, now chaired by Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, will continue to strengthen the country’s policies and regulatory frameworks in alignment with international standards.
Record Trade Growth and New Global Partnerships
The Cabinet reviewed the 2024 annual report on Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (CEPAs). The UAE has signed 27 CEPAs to date, eight of which are already in effect. These agreements helped push the country’s foreign trade volume to a record AED 5.23 trillion in 2024, alongside historic highs in non-oil exports and re-exports.
Thirteen international agreements were ratified, including partnerships with countries like Vietnam, Montenegro, Uganda, and New Zealand. The Cabinet also approved negotiations for 36 new agreements and the establishment of UAE embassies in Togo, Gabon, Cameroon, and Tajikistan.
Focus on Heritage, Environment, and Industry
The Cabinet endorsed a draft federal law to preserve the UAE’s cultural heritage, reviewed achievements under the “Make it in the Emirates” platform, and approved AED 40 billion in financing to support local manufacturing and SMEs.
On the environmental front, the UAE added nine new sites to the global biodiversity hotspot list and launched a roadmap to plant 100 million mangroves by 2030. Protected areas were expanded significantly both on land and at sea.
International Engagement and Upcoming Events
The Cabinet approved the UAE’s participation in 13 international events and its accession to global bodies such as the International Competition Network and the OECD Forum on Tax Administration. The country will also host high-level summits, including the Central Banks Data Cooperation Group Annual Summit.
The meeting underscored the UAE’s ongoing efforts to position itself as a global leader in governance, innovation, sustainability, and international cooperation.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
