UAE Advances Long-Term Development Agenda Through Digital and Policy Reforms in 2025

Abu Dhabi, The Gulf Observer: The United Arab Emirates accelerated its long-term national development agenda in 2025 through a series of strategic initiatives and digital policies aimed at strengthening its position as a global hub for innovation and sustainable growth.

Throughout the year, the government introduced proactive programmes to streamline federal operations, enhance service delivery, and boost the UAE’s international competitiveness across economic, social, and technological sectors.

Key milestones included the launch of a new phase of the UAE Talent Attraction and Retention Strategy 2031, alongside the adoption of a comprehensive National Cybersecurity Strategy and an “API-First Policy” designed to ensure seamless digital integration across federal entities.

To strengthen economic infrastructure and coordination, the Cabinet established the UAE Logistics Integration Council to align sectoral policies and improve nationwide performance in the logistics sector.

The government also rolled out the second phase of the Zero Bureaucracy Programme to simplify public services, in addition to launching the Proactive Government Performance System to enhance service quality and advance the objectives of the “We the UAE 2031” vision.

In the social sector, the UAE unveiled a Volunteering and Community Engagement Ecosystem, including an initiative to expand the national volunteer base to 600,000 individuals.

During the UAE Government Annual Meetings 2025, authorities introduced the Unified UAE Numbers, an artificial intelligence-powered national data system to support evidence-based decision-making. The meetings also saw the launch of the National Family Growth Agenda 2031, aimed at increasing Emirati birth rates, raising marriage rates, and reducing the average age of marriage.

Addressing emerging security challenges, the UAE adopted the National Encryption Policy, calling on government entities to develop clear and approved transition plans from traditional encryption methods to post-quantum cryptography.

These initiatives reflect the UAE’s continued focus on future readiness, digital transformation, and sustainable national development in line with its long-term strategic vision.