UAE Launches New Programme To Change Lifestyles, Targets Health

The UAE Cabinet has launched a new national awareness programme to address issues such as health, education and the environment in the country, official news agency WAM reported.

The National Programme for Government Communication (NPGC), which will run for seven years until 2021, seeks to “realise positive changes in the people’s behaviour and lifestyles,” the report said.

The programme consists of seven pillars, each addressing a specific issue, including: Healthy Children, Cohesive Family, Quality Education, Green Ideas, Sustainable Food, Prosperous Future, and Diabetes-free UAE.

Communication teams, representing the public and private sectors, will be responsible for implementing the awareness campaigns under the overall supervision of the Government Communication Office of the Ministry of Cabinet Affairs, the report added.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE VP and PM and Ruler of Dubai, said: “We live in a world witnessing rapid developments, therefore, we must make positive changes out of these for our nation, our people, to realise UAE Vision 2021.

“In today’s world, we cannot ignore the role of social media and communication in making an impact on our daily lives.

“As a government, we will do our best to ensure the utmost utilisation of these by launching innovative, wide-scale initiatives and capitalising on national cadre who are able to identify current challenges and foresee future opportunities.”

The UAE Cabinet also approved the mechanism to implement its Green Growth Strategy, which seeks to make the country a global hub and successful model for green economy and ensure a sustainable environment, reported WAM.

The mechanism includes five strategic priorities relating to competitive economy, social development, high quality of living, sustainable development, utilisation of natural resources.