The UAE highlighted its leadership in economic diversification and AI integration within its labour market, asserting that these are crucial for fostering market stability and job creation across the Arab world. This came in a speech delivered by His Excellency Dr. Abdulrahman Al Awar, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation, and Acting Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, during his participation in the 51st Arab Labour Conference. HE Al Awar headed a delegation from the UAE to participate in the conference, which is being held in the Egyptian capital, Cairo. The conference discusses some of the most pressing issues and challenges facing labour markets in the region.

This came in a speech delivered by His Excellency Dr. Abdulrahman Al Awar, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation, and Acting Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, during his participation in the 51st Arab Labour Conference. HE Al Awar headed a delegation from the UAE to participate in the conference, which is being held in the Egyptian capital, Cairo.

The conference discusses some of the most pressing issues and challenges facing labour markets in the region.

During his speech, His Excellency underscored the UAE's pioneering experience and its ambitious economic vision, attributing its success to early adoption of economic diversification. This has strengthened the UAE's global economic leadership and boosted the contribution of non-oil sectors, which now stands at 74% of the national GDP. His Excellency affirmed that the nation has consolidated its position as a global destination for establishing businesses based on innovation, artificial intelligence, and entrepreneurship.

The UAE ranked first in the Arab world and second globally in attracting foreign direct investment. It was first in the Arab world and 15th globally in outward investment flows, and it topped the Global Innovation Index for 2024.

His Excellency pointed out that the UAE leads in the region and ranks 17th globally in the Human Development Index Report issued by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), thanks to its advanced policies in education, healthcare, women's empowerment, and attracting talent.

The UAE labour market also witnessed significant growth in 2024, with the number of employees increasing by more than 12%, and new companies increasing by 17%. Modern legislation has been instrumental in attracting over 13% more skilled talent and increasing women's participation in the labour market by 21%.

His Excellency explained that the UAE's efforts and forward-looking vision have strengthened its leadership and global competitiveness. In 2024, the UAE topped the world in nine global competitiveness indicators, including employment rate, talent attraction, and labour market flexibility. It also achieved outstanding results globally in the field of artificial intelligence, ranking third globally in attracting and developing talent and among the top five countries in the world in AI competitiveness, according to the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered AI report. Leading the Middle East in deploying digital solutions to enhance public infrastructure, the UAE will be the third globally in the contribution of AI to the economy by 2030, according to Dell.

The conference also honoured 25 pioneers of Arab labour, including His Excellency Nasser bin Thani Al-Hamli, former Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation, who was recognised for his outstanding contributions to Arab labour issues and advancing development and production in the Arab world.

The UAE delegation included His Excellency Khalil Al Khoori, Undersecretary of Labour Market & Emiratisation Operations; Her Excellency Shayma Yousef Alawadhi, Acting Undersecretary of Labour Market Development & Regulation, and Assistant Undersecretary for Communications & International Relations;  His Excellency Ahmed Al Nasser, Assistant Undersecretary for Labour Market Policies; Hind bint Sulaiman, Vice-Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Arab Labour Organisation; Dr. Zayed Al Shamsi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Coordination Association for Professional Societies in the State, and other esteemed delegates.