August 24, 2025 | Abu Dhabi, UAE: The UAE Committee for Attracting and Retaining Global Talent has unveiled an ambitious strategy aimed at drawing the world brightest minds to the Emirates and positioning the nation among the top 10 global talent destinations by 2031.
Strategic Vision for Global Talent Leadership
The Global Talent Attraction and Retention Committee, chaired by Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade and Minister in Charge of Global Talent Attraction and Retention, recently convened to discuss the second phase of the National Talent Attraction and Retention Strategy 2024-2027.
This comprehensive initiative aligns with the broader “We the UAE 2031” vision, creating a unified national framework to attract exceptional professionals to priority sectors while fostering an environment that retains them long-term.
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The UAE Committee serves as the central mechanism for overseeing implementation of the nation’s strategy for attracting and retaining global talent, coordinating efforts across government and private sector entities to build a sustainable, future-ready talent ecosystem.
Targeting Strategic Economic Sectors
The strategy focuses on eight key sectors crucial to the UAE’s economic future:
- Technology – Digital innovation and artificial intelligence
- Renewable Energy – Sustainable energy solutions
- Healthcare and Biotechnology – Medical advancement and life sciences
- Logistics and Aviation – Transportation and supply chain excellence
- Advanced Industries – Manufacturing and industrial innovation
- Financial Services – Banking and fintech development
- Food and Water Technology – Agricultural innovation and sustainability
- Creative Economy – Arts, media, and cultural industries
These targeted areas represent the foundation of the UAE’s transformation into a knowledge-based economy powered by innovation and creativity.
Comprehensive Implementation Framework
The second phase involves collaborative initiatives among federal and local government entities, as well as private sector institutions. Key components encompass:
- Attracting specialised professionals in targeted economic sectors
- Launching global promotional campaigns to spotlight the UAE as a hub for exceptional talent
- Organising international events focused on talent attraction and development
The UAE Committee includes representatives from multiple national bodies:
- Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation
- Ministry of Education
- Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research
- Ministry of Community Empowerment
- Ministry of Culture
- Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security
- Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Center
- Abu Dhabi Residents Office – Department of Economic Development
- Department of Economy and Tourism – Dubai
- Emirates Scientists Council
- Emirates Council for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transactions
Remarkable Progress in Global Rankings
According to the International Institute for Management Development (IMD) Global Talent Competitiveness Report 2024, the UAE has achieved significant advancement:
- 17th globally and 1st in the Arab world – a five-place jump from 2023
- 12th place in the “Gravity Index”
- 2nd place globally in the “Readiness Index”
Dr. Al Zeyoudi noted that this progress results from the forward-looking vision of the UAE’s leadership and continuous strategic planning aimed at sustainable economic growth powered by human capital.
Three Strategic Goals for 2031
The UAE Committee’s strategy operates around three foundational targets:
- Positioning the UAE among the top 10 countries in global talent competitiveness indices
- Ensuring talent availability across all strategic sectors
- Cementing the UAE’s image as an ideal destination for living, working, and investing
These objectives support the broader “We the UAE 2031” vision, which aims to double the nation’s GDP from AED 1.49 trillion to AED 3 trillion by 2031 through artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and strategic investments in human capital.
Creating an Ecosystem for the World Brightest Minds
The strategy emphasises developing policies that nurture belonging, advancement opportunities, and an innovation climate. The approach focuses on creating an environment where the world brightest minds can thrive and lead high-impact projects, propelling the UAE to the forefront of knowledge-based economies.
Through this comprehensive strategy, the UAE positions itself not merely as a workplace but as a permanent base for global professionals, offering long-term growth, inclusion, and belonging to establish its reputation as the premier talent destination for the world brightest minds.
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