Dubai has launched an ambitious Dh208 billion social welfare budget over the next 10 years

With families and people at the centre of the agenda, Dubai unveiled its ambitious Dh208 billion social welfare budget on Thursday.  The budget unfolds with aim of turning the emirate into one of the world’s top 3 cities in terms of standard of living. Known as "Dubai Social Agenda 33," it outlines strategies for empowering the emirate's families. It seeks to stimulate a twofold rise in the quantity of newly formed Emirati households.

The complete agenda includes a social system that protects, cares for, and empowers people; an education system that will provide students with the skills and knowledge of the future; and a healthcare system that will increase life expectancy. In addition, it guarantees that every Emirati family will receive loans and land within a year of applying.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, announced the initiative as the UAE marked his 18th Accession Day. The Dubai Ruler uses the occasion to launch something meaningful every year.

With an emphasis on sustainable social development, Dubai Social Agenda 33 complements the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda under the subject "Family: The Foundation of Our Nation." By "creating diverse opportunities for citizens to contribute to the growth and development of the emirate's economy," it seeks to treble the number of Emiratis working in the private sector.

Five main purposes of the Dubai Social Agenda 33 are as follows:

First and foremost, cultivate contented, unified, and tolerant families that are strongly rooted in the community and the country. Additionally, it seeks to increase their output and encourage financial independence and self-sufficiency, all of which eventually improve societal and family stability.

Second, encourage a healthy lifestyle that emphasises exercise, a balanced diet, and mental well-being, as well as an effective and reasonably priced healthcare system.

Third, develop an economical, high-quality education system that satisfies Dubai's future educational goals.

Fourth, concentrate on developing a proactive social structure that guarantees equality of opportunity, assistance, and protection.

The fifth is to provide appropriate housing, support arts and culture that are competitive, enhance services and infrastructure, and increase community involvement in sports.