UAE Chairs 11th BRICS Employment Working Group Meeting in Brazil, Highlights Labour Market Innovations
Brasília, The Gulf Observer: The United Arab Emirates chaired the 11th Meeting of the Employment Working Group (EWG) of BRICS countries, reinforcing its growing leadership role within the bloc since joining nearly two years ago.
The meeting, held in Brasília, Brazil, focused on tackling emerging challenges facing global labour markets, including the impacts of rapid technological advancements and climate change. Discussions emphasized the need for inclusive and just governance models to guide future labour and employment policies.
Dr. Abdulrahman Al Awar, UAE Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation and Acting Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, led the UAE delegation. He reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to fostering greater BRICS cooperation to ensure workforce readiness amidst technological transformation, to facilitate a just climate transition, and to build a sustainable future.
“Artificial intelligence has become a pillar of the UAE’s global positioning as a destination for living, working, and investment,” Dr. Al Awar said. He noted that AI is expected to contribute approximately 13.6% to the UAE’s GDP by 2030, enhancing operational efficiency by up to 50%.
Highlighting the UAE’s forward-looking approach, Dr. Al Awar recalled the launch of national AI strategies aimed at positioning the Emirates at the forefront of innovation by 2031. These efforts have seen the UAE rank second globally in attracting and developing AI talent and climb to seventh place in the INSEAD Global Talent Competitiveness Index for education relevance to the economy.
The Minister emphasized the UAE’s balanced approach to technological advancement, noting that the country’s evolving labour legislation covers non-standard and platform-based workers. Innovations like the Unemployment Insurance Scheme and voluntary end-of-service Savings Scheme further demonstrate the UAE’s commitment to sustainable social protection.
On climate resilience, Dr. Al Awar pointed to the UAE’s pioneering initiatives, including the region’s first midday work break policy to address heat stress, implemented as early as 2005. He underscored the importance of developing sustainable labour practices and enhancing workforce adaptability amid climate-related risks.
He also called for strengthening public-private partnerships, aligning education and vocational training with green economy demands, and boosting collaboration with higher education institutions to support renewable energy specialisations.
The UAE’s chairmanship of the meeting underlines its role as a driver of innovative labour market policies and sustainable economic development within the BRICS framework.
