The UAE Cabinet has met to review and introduce major projects and strategies.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, chaired the UAE Cabinet’s meeting held at Qasr Al Watan, Abu Dhabi.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid said: “I chaired the UAE Cabinet meeting at Qasr Al Watan today. We reviewed one of the country’s most significant infrastructure projects—the Etihad High-Speed Passenger Rail.
UAE Cabinet meeting
“With a speed of 350 km per hour, this railway is set to transform mobility and economic connectivity across the emirates. Its contribution to GDP will exceed AED145bn (329.4bn) over the next five decades.
“More than just a railway, Etihad High-Speed Train represents a new national ambition, a strategic federal link, and a step toward building an infrastructure that remains among the best and most advanced globally.
“During the meeting, we approved the establishment of the UAE Logistics Integration Council, aimed at aligning efforts and ensuring seamless coordination to strengthen the UAE’s position as a global trade hub.
“The council will bring together all key federal and local entities, including ports, roads, transport, customs, railways, and border crossings, ensuring efficiency and synergy in the sector.
“With the logistics industry valued at AED129bn ($35.1bn) in 2023, our goal is to expand it beyond AED200bn ($54.4bn) over the next seven years, reinforcing the UAE’s role as a central hub for global trade and commerce.
“We also launched UAE Government Innovation Month, reaffirming that innovation is an integral part of the government’s culture, operations, and execution.
“The Mohammed bin Rashid Centre for Government Innovation, which we established earlier, exports best practices and expertise to over 30 governments worldwide, further solidifying the UAE’s leadership in government innovation. Innovation will remain at the heart of enhancing government efficiency, improving lives, and driving business growth across the UAE.
“We approved the National Cybersecurity Strategy. The UAE is ranked among the top global performers in the 2024 Global Cybersecurity Index and we have one of the most secure and advanced digital infrastructures in the world.
“In the coming phase, we will continue strengthening cybersecurity measures, ensuring a resilient and secure digital environment that protects national assets and supports future progress.”
The Cabinet also approved the launch of a new phase of the UAE Strategy for Talent Attraction and Retention 2031. The strategy focuses on attracting and retaining global talent in key sectors, including:
- Technology
- Renewable energy
- Healthcare and biotechnology
- Logistics and aviation
- Advanced industries
- Financial services
- Food and water technology
- Creative economy
According to a LinkedIn report, the UAE is the world’s preferred destination for individuals seeking new career horizons and a high standard of living.
The UAE leads the MENA region in human development and ranks first among the top 20 countries in the world in the United Nations Development Program’s Human Development Index.
The Cabinet also approved the National Cybersecurity Strategy, based on five main pillars:
- Governance
- Protection
- Innovation
- Establishing and building
- Partnership
The strategy seeks to establish a cohesive and highly effective governance framework for cybersecurity, ensure a secure, resilient, and sound digital environment, enable the safe and swift adoption of innovations, enhance national capabilities in digitisation and cybersecurity, and bolster partnerships and collaborative relations at both national and international levels.
During the meeting, the UAE Cabinet was briefed on the details of the recently revealed high-speed train project that will link Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
The project relies on the latest innovative technical solutions in line with the national vision to maintain sustainable economic development and environmental preservation.
The high-speed train will reduce the daily commuting time, contributing to improving the quality of life for UAE nationals, residents, and visitors, in addition to strengthening economic and social ties between the two emirates.
During the meeting, the Cabinet reviewed the agenda of “UAE Innovates 2025”. The 10th edition of the Innovation Month was launched on February 1, 2025, under the title “The Power of Innovation 10 – Where Does Your Strength Lie?”, completing a full decade since the launch of its first session, and coinciding with the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Mohammed bin Rashid Centre for Government Innovation.
The Cabinet approved the API-First Policy, which includes the requirements and procedures that must be followed by ministries and federal entities in their technological and digital systems and applications to ensure their rapid interconnection and integration with other systems, governmental or private, in accordance with the approved policies and programs in this regard.
The new policy also regulates the relationship between providers and users and enhances the partnership between the public and private sectors in providing government services.
The Cabinet also approved the UAE National Geospatial Data Policy, which aims to enhance cooperation and coordination among all entities involved in geospatial information.
The Policy aims also to regulate, develop, and safeguard the management of geospatial information, data, systems, and services, to promote their utilization, and to establish mechanisms that contribute to effective decision-making.
The Cabinet also reviewed progress on the implementation of the UAE Circular Economy Agenda 2031.
The strategy’s working teams launched many new policies achieving big success in managing agricultural and natural resources, supporting local supply chains, utilising recycled content in the consumer goods sector, and regulating bio-diesel production in the UAE.
During the meeting, the UAE Cabinet went through the implementation updates of the National Strategy to Combat Desertification 2022-2030, highlighting key achievements during the past period.
A total of 1,800 hectares of previously degraded land have been rehabilitated, and augmenting the area of improved land to 378.2sq km.
The percentage of degraded land has been reduced to only 1.2 per cent, and stabilising carbon levels in the soil of 98.2 per cent of the lands, developing a smart monitoring system using artificial intelligence to accurately monitor the soil, and submitting 96 scientific research papers within the UAE Rain Enhancement Science Program.
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