Dubai approves 2021 strategic agenda, launches new organ transplant programme

The Executive Council of Dubai has approved the Strategic Affairs Council’s 2021 agenda and a major organ transplant programme to consolidate the emirate’s leadership in the field.

The medical initiative was announced at a meeting chaired by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai.

The new scheme will contribute to the efforts to transform the emirate into a global healthcare tourism hub and a centre for medical research.

in a post on social media, the Crown Prince stated that the move will "raise the bar of healthcare excellence. The healthcare sector is at the heart of our development drive & a key pillar of creating a true global healthcare tourism destination."

We also approved an organ transplant programme to further cement Dubai’s leadership in this field and raise the bar of healthcare excellence. The healthcare sector is at the heart of our development drive & a key pillar of creating a true global healthcare tourism destination.

— Hamdan bin Mohammed (@HamdanMohammed) December 16, 2020

The Dubai Health Authority explained that the comprehensive programme will bring relief to patients and reduce the burden on the health sector.

At the meeting, Sheikh Hamdan also approved the Strategic Affairs Council’s 2021 agenda.

The agenda contributes to realising the leadership’s vision by promoting excellence in all sectors and introducing innovative initiatives to enhance government services and further raise Dubai’s competitiveness.

It covers various key drivers of growth including government services, the digital economy, investments, SMEs, public-private partnerships, facilitating cost-efficiencies for businesses and residents, and enhancing the emirate’s competitiveness and sustainability.

Sheikh Hamdan praised the efforts of Dubai Government authorities in achieving the objectives of the Council’s 2020 Agenda and their contributions to realising the future vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

The Crown Prince said "I am proud of the exceptional efforts of government and private sector entities in 2020, and we expect more from them in the coming years. We will provide all the resources and support necessary for them to achieve the objectives of the Council’s 2021 Agenda, and I will personally follow up on their implementation. We have ambitious goals, which require diligence and dedication to achieve."

He added that in 2020, Dubai demonstrated its resilience and proved its ability to weather crises and overcome challenges, supported by its flexible polices and future-oriented strategies.

Dubai’s economy has shown enormous flexibility & adaptation to deal with int’l challenges. Our future plans & ambitious projects with the private sector will better serve the community and boost the development drive of Dubai.

— Hamdan bin Mohammed (@HamdanMohammed) December 16, 2020

The meeting reviewed the outcomes of this year's agenda as well as the government’s key strategic objectives in the areas of social services, the economy and environmental sustainability.

The Dubai Department of Economic Development noted  that the economic stimulus packages introduced by the Dubai Government in 2020 supported the revival of severeal sectors and accelerated the emirate’s economic recovery.

The Dubai Electronic Security Center presented the results of the Dubai Cyber Index, an initiative aimed at helping Dubai government entities ensure the highest standards of cyber security.

The Index is aligned with the Dubai Cyber Security Strategy’s goal of protecting the emirate from a range of cybersecurity risks and accelerating economic growth. It is also part of the city’s efforts to drive rapid technological progress and digital transformation.