UAE presses ahead with projects despite uncertainty

Dubai, UAE - Vice President and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has stated that the UAE will proceed with major projects, economic initiatives and government reforms, regardless of the current uncertainties. Speaking at the first Cabinet meeting of the new government season in Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohammed emphasized the importance of delivering projects without waiting for "perfect conditions."

He assured that federal teams must sustain delivery while strengthening the systems, infrastructure and international relationships that support the country's growth. He expressed confidence in the UAE's progress, stating that the economy is growing, markets are operating at full capacity, and events are welcoming the world. The UAE will not stop, he added.

The Cabinet approved the launch of an AI Adviser System to assist ministers with policy analysis, legislation, strategies, and implementation. The system uses 32 specialized AI advisers to assess impacts, examine global best practices, and produce recommendations around the clock. The aim is to accelerate artificial intelligence across federal operations and protect institutional trust built through policy, infrastructure, and foreign ties, ultimately making the government more efficient and capable of making faster, more accurate decisions.

Sheikh Mohammed also highlighted the UAE's strategic national transformation through the deployment of agentic artificial intelligence across government sectors. The UAE has set a target to transform 50% of government sectors and services within two years. He urged government teams to participate directly in the implementation of this AI programme.

The Cabinet reviewed the "Emirates, Start-Up Capital of the World" campaign, which aims to strengthen the country's position as a global center for entrepreneurship. Small and medium-sized enterprises and start-ups account for more than 95% of companies in the UAE and contribute more than 63% of non-oil gross domestic product. The Emirates Skills platform, which uses artificial intelligence and labor-market data, served over 8,300 users during its pilot phase.

Progress on federal digital transformation in 2025 was also discussed, with government systems processing over 308 million digital transactions, federal websites recording 88.5 million visits, and government applications being downloaded 15.8 million times. The government delivered 471 digital transformation projects, with 92% customer satisfaction with priority services.

Cabinet members approved a cloud migration programme for federal institutional resource management and a national framework for financial sustainability standards, integrating environmental, social, and governance considerations into financial policies and procedures.