UAE introduces ‘Blue Residency’ for sustainability experts, approves National Youth Agenda 2031

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, chaired the UAE Cabinet meeting on Wednesday at Qasr Al Watan, Abu Dhabi.
Sheikh Mohammed said: “In alignment with the national directives declared by the UAE President, to designate 2024 as the year of sustainability in the UAE, we introduced the “Blue Residency” a ten-years residency granted to individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to environment protection, whether in marine life, land-based ecosystems, or air quality, sustainability technologies, the circular economy, or related fields.The sustainability of our economy is now linked to the sustainability of our environment… Our national orientations are clear and firm in this area.”
Sheikh Mohammed said: “Today, I chaired the Cabinet meeting at Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi. We approved the National Youth Agenda 2031. The Cabinet’s directives to the Minister of Youth focus on five key pillars: economic empowerment of our youth, developing their scientific skills, consolidating their national identity, enhancing their community contributions, and activating their role in representing their country internationally.”
Sheikh Mohammed added: “The Cabinet approved a new framework for classifying higher education institutions across the UAE. We are set to reveal the national classification results for over 70 institutions, assessing them based on quality of education, the labour market’s demand for their graduates, their research prowess, and their global academic affiliations. The national classification is a milestone in elevating the caliber of our higher education and advancing transparency, thereby empowering families to make informed decisions for their children’s futures.”
Sheikh Mohammed added: “Today, within the country’s strategy to establish its position in the field of artificial intelligence, the Cabinet approved the creation of the position of Chief Executive Officer of Artificial Intelligence in all main federal entities, which will contribute to the adoption of artificial intelligence tools in these entities and will help solidify the process of transitioning to a new phase, in which we further consolidate the use of advanced technologies in our federal entities.”
Sheikh Mohammed said: “Today, we reviewed the latest developments of the UAE space sector. The representation of young Emiratis working in international space projects reached 38%. Spending in the field of space research increased by 14%.We remain dedicated to advancing our youth in promising sectors, protecting our environment, integrating the best global technologies into our government, and enhancing our higher education systems. Together, these efforts ensure a brighter future for our youth.”
His Highness Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, and Lt. General Sheikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior were also present in the Cabinet meeting.
 
National Youth Agenda 2031
The Cabinet has approved the National Youth Agenda 2031, which aims to empower young Emirati to be a role model regionally and globally. The Agenda seeks to increase their contribution to economic and social development.The Agenda focuses on five main pillars: aiming for the Emirati youth to be a major contributor to the national economic growth, to contribute effectively to the community while adhering to Emirati values and principles, to globally drive positive change and  be a global role model, to keep up with the latest breakthrough in advanced technologies and be highly proficient in mastering the skills of the future, and to enjoy the highest levels of health and quality of life.
The National Youth Agenda 2031 aims to qualify more than 100 young Emirati to represent the country in global organizations and forums related to the national sectors of priority, and to provide 100% suitable career pathways for youth in the labour market.The Agenda seeks to place the UAE among the top 10 countries globally in terms of the quality of life provided to youth.
The agenda aims to enhance the national consciousness among the youth, ensuring that Emirati youth are the proudest of their identity and national affiliation, and to launch the National Charter for Youth in this field.The agenda aims to make the UAE the easiest country in the world for young people to access basic services, and to double the number of youth projects in promising and future sectors, in addition to doubling the number of young Emiratis who obtain academic and vocational qualifications that suite the future skills and labour market needs, in addition to launching the honorary medal for elite youth.
Blue Residency for Sustainability Experts
During the meeting agenda, the Cabinet approved the launch of a new category named “Blue Residency,” which is the first long-term residency for individuals with exceptional contributions and efforts in the field of environment action and sustainability both inside and outside the United Arab Emirates.The Blue Residency aims to amplify and maintain the UAE’s efforts in sustainability and goes in line with the directives of the UAE President to extend the initiative of the Year of Sustainability of 2023 to include the year 2024.
The Blue Residency will specifically be granted to supporters of environmental action, including members of international organisations, international companies, members of associations and non-governmental organisations, global award winners, and distinguished activists and researchers in environmental work from both Emirati nationals and responsible residents advocate of environment protection.
Sustainability advocates and experts who are interested in the UAE Blue Residency are invited to submit their applications directly through the services of the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security, or through nominations by competent authorities in the state for the individuals recommended for it.
Priority in federal government jobs to Emirati
The Cabinet approved a decision giving priority in appointments in federal government jobs to citizens who have worked in the private sector for at least three years. Experience in the private sector will be added as one of the items to be relied upon when appointing an employee to the federal government. The decision aims to consolidate the federal government sector by integrating national expertise from the private sector, thereby enriching the variety and diversity of knowledge within government entities. The decision promotes the broad dissemination of insights and practices gleaned from private sector companies, enhancing the overall effectiveness and innovation within the public sector.
Scholarship system in federal government higher education institutionsThe Cabinet reviewed a new system for financing federal government higher education institutions on the basis of scholarships, with the aim of enhancing the quality of educational outcomes in these institutions and continuing alignment with the labor market and available career opportunities.The new system operates by granting financial scholarships after reviewing and defining the number of new academic seat to be created, and  the specializations required according to the needs of the labour market, using a predetermined mechanism.
National Framework for the Classification of Higher Education Institutions