Government Summit important: Mohammed

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, along with Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, and Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, attended today part of the activities of the first Government Summit.

Sheikh Mohammed listened to a speech by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, followed by a panel discussion in which he talked about the tasks and authority of the Ministerial Council for Services and highlighted some benevolent national initiatives that had been launched by the Head of the State.

Among those who attended the panel were Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Foreign Minister, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Public Works, Lieutenant-General Mussabah Rashid Al Fattan, Director of the Office of the Dubai Ruler, a number of other sheikhs and ministers, in addition to leading economic and media figures as well as a number of prominent young Emiratis.

A number of Arab and foreign guests are also participating in the Summit which will conclude later today.

Sheikh Mohammed paid a glowing tribute to the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founder of the UAE.

He conveyed to the participants the regards of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and his wishes for the success of Government Summit, noting that the resolutions of the Summit will be highly welcome.

For his part, Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Presidential Affairs and Chairman of the Ministerial Council for Services, praised the vision of the UAE President on sustainable development, citizens' empowerment and development of government services to meet the needs of citizens regarding the decent living conditions.

He referred to the empowerment programme launched by the UAE President in 2005, noting that it aims at boosting capabilities of citizens and expansion of their participation, being the core of development policies.

Sheikh Mansour lauded the vision of the UAE Vice President, citing his dedication for the government excellence and service of citizens nationwide. He cited the setting up of the Ministerial Council for Services, which was set up in 2006 as executive authority for the Cabinet to implement the state's general policies and upgrade the public services as well. 

Mohammed bin Rashid receives Arab ministers

The UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, today received on the sidelines of the first Government Summit, being held in Jumeirah, a number of Arab ministers and officials who are taking part in the event.

They included the President of the Civil Service in Lebanon, Dr Khaled Kabbani, the Jordanian Minister for Development of Government Sector, Dr Khalifa Ahmed Al Khawalidah, the Mayor of Jeddah, Dr Hani bin Mohammed Aburas, the Moroccan Minister for Public Service and the Modernisation of Administration, Abdelazim El Guerrouj, the Palestinian Minister of State for Planning Affairs, Mohammed Abu Ramadan, the Palestinian Minister for Transport and Telecommunications, Ali Abu Zahri, and the Palestinian Minister for Technology and Information Technology, Safa Nuruddin.

Present during the meeting were Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Mohammed Abdullah Al Gargawi, the Minister for Cabinet Affairs, and Lt. General Musbeh Rashid Al Fattan, Director of the Office of The UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.

The Arab ministers praised the UAE's unique experience regarding the provision of government services at the local and federal levels. This was demonstrated in the speech delivered by the UAE Vice President at the Government Summit. They said that his speech "represented a roadmap for their countries so as to render world class government services." The ministers said that the speech had highlighted many important development issues that were new to them.

They thanked Sheikh Mohammed and the organising committee for the hospitality afforded to them and for the good organisation of the event.

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