The UAE is a pioneering model in human development and adopting policies that support women and youth

Fadia Saada, Regional Director for Human Development in the Middle East and North Africa at the World Bank, confirmed that the United Arab Emirates is a leading example in implementing policies that promote comprehensive human development and empower women and youth, noting that the country has succeeded, through labor law reforms and its investments in early childhood development and child care, in building an integrated model for work-life balance and supporting women’s participation in the labor market.

Saada said in a statement to the Emirates News Agency, WAM, on the occasion of the new report issued by the World Bank as part of the main initiative for human development in the Middle East and North Africa region, that the labor law reforms issued in 2022 enabled the adoption of flexible work patterns such as partial, temporary, remote and joint work, which expanded participation opportunities for women and youth, and in 2021 the country also adopted new and improved provisions for the leave system. Parents aims to promote work-life balance and support women’s participation in the labor market.

She added that the state’s investments in early childhood development and the provision of affordable child care services contributed to empowering women, building basic skills among young people, and preparing them for the future labor market.

Fadia Saadeh stressed that the countries of the Middle East and North Africa can benefit from the UAE’s experience in flexible labor mobility policies, which include innovative residency options such as golden and green residencies designated for professionals, investors, and freelancers, in addition to job search visas and remote work.

She said that the state is also working to enhance the protection of workers’ rights through measures that include unemployment insurance, the wage protection system, and strengthening regulations for employment and recruitment, adding that adopting similar policies for flexible residency and worker protection measures can enhance the ability of countries in the region to attract and retain talent in a way that supports economic diversification efforts and stimulates innovation.

Regarding the new report issued by the World Bank, Saada explained that human capital in the region has witnessed a noticeable improvement in recent years, but there is great potential for further progress towards achieving comprehensive and sustainable economic growth.

She said that the report reviews how three major trends – “aging and aging of the population, climate change, and technological transformation” – contribute to shaping the future of the region.

She called on governments to continue investing in future-proof human development policies that include enhancing basic human capital, advancing institutional reforms, and adopting customized strategies that take into account the specificity of each country.

She explained that the Gulf Cooperation Council countries may want to focus on issues of aging, population growth, and digital transformation, while middle-income countries can focus on financial management, while low-income or fragile countries should focus on preserving human capital and strengthening institutions, stressing that with continued commitment and reform, countries in the region can transform emerging challenges into engines for sustainable and comprehensive growth.