President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has directed the launch of the Community-Managed Virtual Authority, a first-of-its-kind initiative that places skilled members of the community at the centre of governance and decision-making in the UAE.
Announced at the conclusion of the Year of Community, the new authority reflects the vision of the UAE’s Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed, by empowering people to actively contribute to national development. It introduces a non-traditional government model in which community members assume full responsibility for managing an authority within a structured institutional framework.
Under the model, a Director General and team members will be appointed from across the community for fixed terms. Selected based on competence, expertise, and their ability to deliver impact, each leadership team will be tasked with developing practical initiatives and solutions that benefit society and align with national priorities.
The authority is designed as a global reference for participatory governance, supporting the UAE Centennial 2071 vision by fostering innovation, initiative, and human development. It will attract diverse groups of skilled Emiratis, including professionals, academics, entrepreneurs, youth, and retirees, encouraging generational exchange and shared responsibility.
Despite rotating leadership, continuity will be ensured through clear frameworks, approved reference models, and structured mechanisms for knowledge transfer between teams. This approach aims to maintain momentum while allowing a steady flow of ideas and expertise.
By entrusting the community with full management of a public authority, the initiative strengthens social cohesion, enhances quality of life, and reinforces the UAE’s position as a global laboratory for future government models. It stands as a lasting institutional outcome of the Year of Community and its Hand in Hand theme.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
