The UAE government announced the launch of “UAE Innovates 2023,” held in collaboration with Executive Councils nationwide. The press conference for the 2023 edition unveiled that it will witness hundreds of events and activities during February.
This was revealed at the press conference led by H.E. Huda Al Hashimi, Deputy Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Strategic Affairs; Abeer Tahlak, Director of the Mohammed bin Rashid Centre for Government Innovation; and in the presence and participation of coordinators from the executive council across the UAE, and representatives from the media.
Speaking at the conference, H.E. Huda Al Hashimi stressed that UAE Innovates 2023 would catalyze the nation's endeavors in supporting innovation and sustainability, in line with the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, in declaring 2023 the “Year of Sustainability”.
H.E. stated that the nationwide celebrations reflect the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, that the future belongs to whoever can imagine it, design it, and implement it. The event aims to promote the culture of innovation in the UAE government and the wider community. It highlights the impact of all innovations that will be presented and celebrated throughout the month-long event.
H.E. Huda Al Hashimi added that UAE Innovates is the largest national event celebrating innovation and talents nationwide with government and private sector entities.
For her part, Abeer Tahlak touched upon new features of the UAE Innovates 2023, which will witness hundreds of in-person and virtual events, including competitions, presentations, and innovation hackathons across various regions within the UAE, adding that events during February will reflect the leadership’s vision in adopting and incorporating sustainability in vital sectors, primarily; innovation.
This year’s edition of the UAE Innovates Award 2023 will also have an additional category for the most sustainable innovative project, which is a special category included this year, in line with the UAE Year of Sustainability. In addition, the UAE Innovates 2023 Award winners will be recognized in a ceremony that marks the end of the event.
During the press conference, representatives of the UAE Innovates Executive Councils shared details of the events and activities planned by each emirate.
H.E. Mubarak Hamad Al Mheiri, Undersecretary of the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge, said: “We believe in the importance of collaboration to strengthen the culture of innovation, develop national capabilities, and enhance competitiveness and the ability to meet the requirements of national key sectors in the future. The active participation of various government entities in the activities of UAE Innovates 2023 reflects our commitment to helping achieve the vision of our leadership, which considers innovation as a key pillar and the driving force behind the development of various sectors.”
H.E. Abdullah Mohammed Al Basti, Secretary General of the Executive Council of Dubai, said: “The UAE is synonymous with innovation. From the ‘One Million Programmers’ initiative to the Museum of the Future and from metaverse strategies at the federal and local levels to the Dubai Program for Research and Development, the country has established itself as a capital of the future and a leading destination for innovators around the world.”
H.E. Al Basti added: “UAE Innovates, now in its eighth session and held under the patronage and directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, is an embodiment of the country’s commitment to innovation. The UAE and its leadership in innovation, which has underpinned the country’s development over the past five decades, has contributed to high rankings across global innovation indices.”
H.E. Al Basti concluded: "Dubai's experience in innovation, guided by the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and the directives of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council, is a story that deserves to be shared with the world. It represents an example of what innovation can achieve for humanity. We are proud of the wide participation of Dubai’s government entities and private sector companies in UAE Innovates 2023.”
H.E. Asma Rashid bin Taliah, Secretary General of Sharjah Executive Council, said: “There is a deep-rooted culture of innovation within the government of Sharjah, based on the vision and directives of His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, which places science, knowledge, and sustainable development at the heart of progress.” HE added: “Within the general policies set by the Executive Council headed by His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Sharjah Crown Prince, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, and Chairman of the Sharjah Executive Council, all government entities work continuously to promote innovation, develop their services and launch initiatives.”
H.E. Asma concluded: “The emirate's government includes innovators and talents, who through their dedicated work and creativity, have contributed to the development of government services and the strengthening of Sharjah as an environment that fosters innovation.”
H.E. Muhammad Sorour Al Naqbi, Acting Secretary-General of the Executive Council of Umm Al Quwain, said: “UAE Innovates supports the National Innovation Strategy and contributes to enhancing the country's position as a global innovation hub. It also motivates the public and private sectors and individuals to adopt innovative practices. Innovation has become a pillar of government work in the UAE, which embraces and applies the principles of innovation to seek solutions to challenges in creative ways. “
H.E. Al Naqbi added: “We are grateful for the support of His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mualla, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Umm Al Quwain, as well as His Highness Sheikh Rashid bin Saud bin Rashid Al Mualla, Crown Prince of Umm Al Quwain and Chairman of Umm Al Quwain Executive Council. Our leadership has been invaluable in spreading a culture of knowledge and encouraging innovations that support the development of government and society.”
H.E. Al Naqbi explained: “UAE Innovates is a continuation of the country's approach to spreading a culture of innovation and enhancing government work. Innovation is a key pillar in driving development in various areas, and this annual platform enhances the UAE’s position as a global innovation center.”
“Working alongside the local and federal government, the UAE Innovates team in Umm Al Quwain coordinates with all government agencies in the emirate to organize events, activities, and workshops. It also supports the work of innovative laboratories to generate innovations that enhance the work of governments,” HE Al Naqbi concluded.
H.E. Dr. Mohammed Abdullatif Khalifa, Secretary General of the Executive Council of Ras Al Khaimah, said: “UAE Innovates represents an opportunity to celebrate the innovative achievements that support our national strategy to prepare for the future through conceiving and designing solutions to challenges and by promoting a culture of innovation across society. Our national economy, global competitiveness, and global position depend on our ambition and ability to build capabilities and realize our potential. Our leadership provides the ingredients for success so we can improve the quality of life and the prosperity of humanity.”
Dr. Mohammed added: “We are grateful for all the efforts made at federal, local, and community levels that have made this event an annual celebration that showcases developments in thought, practice, and application. The Ras Al Khaimah government is using UAE Innovates to unveil various innovations in various fields that reflect our commitment to contributing to the UAE’s future.”
H.E. Mohammed Saeed Al Dhanhani, Director of the Fujairah Emiri Court, said: “UAE Innovates has become an annual national occasion that celebrates innovators and highlights innovative projects that support the UAE’s vision and strengthen its competitiveness in sectors that serve humanity and national development.” HE Al Dhanhani added: “The activities taking place this year represent a renewed drive in the UAE’s innovation journey, cementing its position as a global platform for innovation and enhancing its position in global competitiveness indices.”
H.E. Al Dhanhani concluded: “This event is a priority for the Fujairah Government, led by Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Fujairah. The emirate will participate in UAE Innovates by launching a series of initiatives and projects and encouraging individual and corporate innovators to join this national journey and support its objectives.”
Made for UAE Innovates.
On the sidelines of the events, multiple partnerships will be launched, such as the new collaboration between MBRCGI and noon Mahali that will expand the platform to Emirati product developers to showcase and sell their unique, scalable products with a “Made for UAE Innovates” Stamp. As well as learn how to develop and sell a product through noon to expand their skills for future developments.
Collaboration with Ferjan Dubai
The UAE Innovates 2023 will also serve as a platform to launch the partnership between MBRCGI and Ferjan Dubai, to highlight the stories of Emirati innovators and talents, and spread the culture of innovation around neighborhoods in the city.
Since its inception in 2015, UAE Innovates has become an annual flagship event in the UAE that supports the government’s vision to enrich the culture of innovation and to reinforce UAE’s position as a global center for innovation to benefit the future of humanity.
