Economy Minister Addresses ESCWA's 27th Session

UAE's approach for comprehensive development has become an example for countries of the region and the world at large, says Economy Minister Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri. Addressing the 27th Ministerial Session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) in Beirut, Al Mansouri, reviewed the UAE experience in development since the days of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, saying priorities in building the nation were given to education, healthcare, empowering women, setting up a modern infrastructure and adopting an open and diversified economy to minimize dependence on oil which, back in 1971, contributed 90 percent of the Gross Domestic Product, and dropped in 2011 to 30 percent.

The opening session was attended by Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati, senior Lebanese, regional and UN officials. Al Mansouri said UAE's rapid, yet quantitative transformation could have not been realized without a clear vision, a forward-looking approach, flexible policies and ambitious plans to make it the world's best country by 2021. He called for setting up a regional centre for innovation, in collaboration with the ESCWA, to motivate the youth into joining the small and medium-sized enterprises.

Al Mansouri also highlighted the political, security and economic changes the region is currently witnessing. "There are lots of challenges that could hinder efforts to reach the required levels of comprehensive, balanced and sustainable development. It is therefore, important to look into the key issues, including respect for human rights, gender equality, freedoms, transparency, equal opportunities, justice and social accountability," he added.