His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, chaired the UAE Cabinet's first meeting of 2025 at Qasr Al Watan, Abu Dhabi.
Key attendees included Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Reflecting on 2024, Sheikh Mohammed highlighted it as the UAE's most remarkable economic and developmental year. Achievements included signing over 140 international agreements, modernizing 80% of national laws, and achieving record foreign trade of AED 2.8 trillion. Notably, the UAE welcomed 150 million airport passengers and hosted over 30 million guests in its hospitality sector.
Key 2024 milestones included launching 25,000 Emirati-owned SMEs, increasing Emirati private sector employment by 350%, and initiating 750 national projects. Sustainability efforts featured the “Plant the Emirates” programme and policies on biofuels and climate change.
The Cabinet also prioritized education, adding 20 new schools and restructuring the sector to enhance early childhood and higher education. International collaborations were bolstered with Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (CEPAs) across 12 nations.
Looking ahead, Sheikh Mohammed reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and global partnerships.
"2025 promises to be even greater,"
he stated, emphasizing plans to solidify the UAE as a global model for growth and progress.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
