The UAE Cabinet has approved a national strategy to combat drugs during its annual meetings, which commenced in Abu Dhabi on Monday, November 4. This strategy aims to bolster deterrence against drug dealers and promoters, both domestically and internationally, establish rehabilitation centres, enhance community awareness, and create correctional facilities for offenders, among other effective measures.
Announcing the strategy, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, who presided over the meeting that began with an extraordinary Cabinet session, stated: "Drugs are a scourge, a loss, an addiction... an illusion and a societal cancer that everyone must unite to combat."
The Cabinet also reviewed the progress of the federal government's housing initiatives and was informed that the percentage of citizens owning a home in the country has increased to 91% from 76% over the past five years. The number of housing applications has dropped from 13,000 to just 650, while the time required to obtain a home has been reduced from four years to one year. Since its inception, over 90,000 citizens have benefited from the Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme, with a budget of Dh60 billion.
Additionally, 22 international agreements, encompassing economic and trade partnerships, and educational cooperation, with 17 different countries were ratified during the meeting. These annual meetings, involving 500 key officials in the UAE, are of particular importance, fostering collaboration between federal and local authorities.
This year's Government Annual Meetings, scheduled for November 5 and 6, 2024, will see significant changes in terms of organization, priorities, agenda, guiding principles, and objectives, along with various frameworks adopted from previous sessions. The agenda includes three national retreats prior to the first day, focusing on national identity, family, and AI, and features eight panel discussions on national priorities, with the participation of heads of federal and local government entities.
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