UAE Prime Minister Launches AED 208 Billion Dubai Social Agenda 33 Program

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, prime minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and ruler of Dubai, launched an AED 208 billion social welfare program called Dubai Social Agenda 33 on Thursday.

The program aims to double the number of Emirati families in the next 10 years and put Dubai among the world's top three cities in terms of living standards.

The program, which will run until 2033, comes with the tagline "Family: The Foundation of Our Nation" and follows Sheikh Mohammed's tradition of unveiling promising national programs and projects each year on Jan. 4, which marks the anniversary of his accession as the ruler of Dubai.

The Dubai Social Agenda 33 focuses on Emirati families in Dubai and aims to improve all aspects of their lives, in terms of housing, quality of life, identity and values, social cohesion and healthcare, as well as equipping the new generation with future skills.

"We aim to double the number of Emirati families within a decade, provide residential neighborhoods that offer the world's highest standard of living and safeguard our young generation against negative ideas that threaten the stability of our families," he said, according to WAM.

Sheikh Mohammed, who is also the vice president of the UAE, said the program will be managed by his sons Hamdan, Maktoum, Ahmed and their brothers.

"Our nation is not merely buildings and figures; it is made up of families and people. My message to everyone in charge is that our priority for the next stage is to protect, empower and support our families," he added.

The ruler of Dubai emphasized that the program's vision is to create "healthy stable families capable of nurturing a generation that believes in its abilities, is connected to its identity and ready for the future."

The program complements the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda, with a focus on sustainable social development, and the provision of services that directly benefit individuals and meet their expectations in terms of health care, housing, education, culture, sports and community.

Further, the Dubai Social Agenda 33 seeks to position Dubai as one of the world's top 10 cities in terms of healthy life expectancy and educational quality. The agenda also aims to triple the number of Emiratis working in the private sector and provide a land plot and a loan for every new Emirati family within one year of application.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, crown prince of Dubai, who was also present during the launch, said this agenda is a roadmap toward achieving Dubai's vision in terms of family happiness and cohesion, highest standards of housing, health care and an advanced education system.

Meanwhile, Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, second deputy ruler of Dubai, said, "The ambitious purposes and objectives of Dubai Social Agenda 33 will reflect positively on Dubai's comprehensive development, will contribute to creating the future that our citizens aspire to and will bolster Dubai's status as a city of choice to live in and work globally."