UAE's theme for 2020 will be – '2020: Towards the next 50', to prepare for the coming 5 decades as well as to commemorate the 50th year of the Union in 2021.
UAE first started identifying and setting a theme for each upcoming year in 2014 and this, the sixth theme in a row, is one of its biggest national strategies so far.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, jointly announced the theme for 2020 over the weekend.
Federal, local and private entities will align to achieve the objectives of the theme, as they did in 2019 – the Year of Tolerance, where activities meant to instill values of coexistence and peace in society where jointly upheld.
Two Cabinet committees have been formed. The first, chaired by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, will chart a comprehensive 50-year development plan. He will be assisted by his deputy Mohammed Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and the Future.
The second, chaired by Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, will oversee the grand celebrations for the country's golden jubilee in 2021. He will be assisted by his deputy Sheikha Mariam bint Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
In a bid to stride to success in a post-oil era, the UAE is preparing sectors across the country to build a knowledge-based economy hinged upon innovation, science and modern technologies.