Announcement of the government of the future

On 8 February 2016, H. H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai announced major structural changes to the UAE Government. 

Sheikh Mohammed announced the changes in the UAE Cabinet at World Government Summit 2016 and simultaneously announced it through his official account on Twitter using the hashtag #WorldGovSummit in his tweets.

The aim behind the structural change

The change aims to improve efficiency and effective delivery of services. It also aims to enhance the readiness of the leadership to the challenges of the future which will begin in the form of post-oil era.

On the need for change, Sheikh Mohammed said, "We can't lead the future with tools from the past, and we can't accomplish quantum leaps in growth without conceptualising a new way of governance. Change creates great opportunities, renews ideas and forces everyone to think in a different way. And we will implement all that is good for our people."

He added, "Governments must be flexible. We do not need more ministries, but more capable ministers dealing with change. We want a government that thinks not only in terms of provision of services, but also in building the skills of its people and provide an environment conducive for achievement. The government should be far-sighted, be willing to explore the future and be ready to face the future," he said.

He said that the past decade was for building systems and strategies and tools, and the next decade is starting with confidence for the future, with all its changes, challenges and competitiveness. In the new government strategy, the UAE will have a roadmap to outsource most government services to the private sector.

Focus areas of the government of the future

Happiness, innovation, tolerance, youth and climate change are the focus areas of the government of the future in the UAE.

Read about future foresight in the UAE.

Highlights of the structural changes

Structural changes in the UAE Government is summarised below.

Creation of new ministerial posts

Three new posts were created: Minister of State for Happiness, Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Minister of State for Tolerance.

The primary mission of Minister of State for Happiness is to harmonise all government plans, programmes and policies to achieve a happier society.

The post of Minister of State for Youth Affairs was created to address the issues of the youth, empower them and increase their participation in the development of the country.

The post of Minister of State for Tolerance was created to establish tolerance as a fundamental value of the UAE's society.

Merging ministries

• Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research was merged into Ministry of Education; this ministry would have two Ministers of State in support
• Marriage Fund was merged into Ministry of Social Affairs
• National Human Resource Development and Employment Authority was merged into Ministry of Labour
• National Council for Tourism & Antiquities was merged into Ministry of Economy
• Ministry of International Cooperation and Development was merged into Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Establishing councils and boards

• Emirates Schools Establishment would be formed to manage public schools as an autonomous, semi-independent authority
• Higher Education and Human Resources Council would be formed to restructure the development of human resources
• An independent entity would be formed to oversee public hospitals
• The UAE Council of Scientists that would include leading researchers and academicians would be formed. It would be an advisory body that would review national policies for science, technology and innovation to develop a new generation of scientists.
• Youth Council would be formed. It would have an elite group of young men and women who would advise the Government on youth affairs. It would be led by Minister of State for Youth Affairs

Enhancing portfolios and/or renaming ministries

• Ministry of Social Affairs was renamed to Ministry of Community Development
• Ministry of Labour was renamed to Human Resources and Emiratisation; its portfolio includes the work of National Human Resource Development & Employment Authority (Tanmia)
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs was renamed to Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. The ministry's role was enhanced to include supervision of the UAE's foreign aid; two Ministers of State will oversee foreign aid.
• Ministry of Health was renamed to Ministry of Health and Prevention; the ministry will focus on prevention of diseases in addition to regulating the health sector
• Renaming Ministry of Culture to Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development; the ministry would focus on content and protection of Arabic language and the development of knowledge. In 2020, the Ministry was renamed as the Ministry of Culture and Youth (MCY).
• Ministry of Environment and Water was renamed to Ministry of Climate Change and Environment; its portfolio would include managing climatic changes
• Ministry of Cabinet Affairs was renamed to Ministry of Cabinet Affairs and Future; its portfolio would include devising strategies for the post-oil era
• The portfolio of Ministry of Education would include matters relating to nurseries
• Ministry of Public Works was renamed to Ministry of Infrastructure Development

For more information, read the news coverage

• Khalifa Approves the new 12th Cabinet of the United Arab Emirates - WAM
• Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid announces major Government shake-up to prepare UAE for the future - The National
• Small government is good government - Khaleej Times
• Live on Twitter, Mohammad overhauls UAE Government - Gulf News