Daijiworld Media Network – Dubai
Dubai, Aug 22: In a renewed effort to position the United Arab Emirates among the world’s top destinations for high-calibre professionals, the Global Talent Attraction and Retention Committee has launched the second phase of the National Talent Attraction and Retention Strategy 2024–2027. The initiative is closely aligned with the long-term vision of “We the UAE 2031.”
Chaired by Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade, the committee brings together federal, local, and private sector stakeholders to build a sustainable ecosystem for talent. The latest session reviewed emerging trends, shared global best practices, and discussed new projects to strengthen the UAE’s position as a hub for strategic talent.
The second phase focuses on attracting professionals in priority sectors such as technology, renewable energy, healthcare, aviation, logistics, advanced industries, finance, food and water technology, and the creative economy. It also includes global promotional campaigns and international events to highlight the UAE as a preferred destination for talent.
“Our integrated strategy is designed not only to attract but also to retain exceptional minds. This is vital for ensuring that the UAE remains globally competitive and moves closer to its goal of being among the top 10 talent destinations by 2031,” Dr Al Zeyoudi said.
Recent global rankings highlight the country’s progress. According to the 2024 Global Talent Competitiveness Report by IMD, the UAE is ranked 17th worldwide and first in the Arab world, climbing five places compared to 2023. It stands 12th in the Gravity Index and second in the Readiness Index.
The UAE’s National Talent Strategy is structured around four core objectives: implementing a unified national talent framework, empowering the knowledge economy, positioning the UAE as a global talent hub, and improving its rankings in international competitiveness indices.
By aligning talent development with the “We the UAE 2031” vision — which aims to double the GDP from AED 1.49 trillion to AED 3 trillion by 2031 — the strategy ensures that the right talent drives innovation, diversification, and sustainable growth across all sectors.