Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai, chaired a Cabinet meeting at Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi to review the federal government’s record since he assumed office in 2006.

Senior members of the UAE leadership attended the meeting, which focused on institutional reforms, economic performance and policy initiatives over the past 20 years. Sheikh Mohammed said the federal government had issued more than 16,000 resolutions and allocated over AED 1.1 trillion in budgets during that period, reshaping government operations, modernising infrastructure and streamlining public services.

According to figures reviewed by the Cabinet, federal spending grew by 167 per cent between 2006 and 2026, while real GDP rose by 94 per cent from 2006 to 2024. Non-oil foreign trade increased nearly sixfold, reaching about AED 3 trillion in 2024, with non-oil exports rising sharply over the same period. Education, healthcare, social development and housing accounted for the largest shares of government expenditure.

The Cabinet highlighted a series of long-term strategies launched since 2007, including Vision 2021, Centennial 2071, the “Preparing for the Next 50 Years” programme, and the “We Are the UAE 2031” plan. It also reviewed reforms in government performance management, legislation, artificial intelligence policy and digital governance, including the launch of a unified federal legislation platform and the establishment of a Regulatory Intelligence Office in 2025.

Ministers also discussed recent policy updates, including healthcare services for People of Determination, the Circular Economy Policy 2031, and the National Strategy to combat money laundering and terrorist financing. The Cabinet reviewed progress under the UAE Tourism Strategy 2031 and approved several international agreements, including air services and economic cooperation accords.

Sheikh Mohammed said the UAE’s development model has gained international recognition, with the country ranking first globally in hundreds of performance indicators, and reaffirmed the government’s focus on long-term growth and institutional reform under the leadership of President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Photo credits: Government of Dubai Media Office

Oksana Bozhko

Oksana Bozhko is a Contributor to Dubai Voice.