By Khalid Taimur Akram
Ever since the world is struck by the dangerously contagious COVID-19 pandemic, the governments and decision-makers across the stateswere tested like never before. The states that were unpreparedagainst this novel coronavirus had to face severe repercussionsand had to pay a hefty price for their negligence. While those governments which were aware of the repercussions of the serious challenge, left no stones unturned to eradicate it under their pragmatic approach and firm measures. In this context, the prudent and triumphantstrategies of the leadership of United Arab Emirates (UAE) provides a glaring manifestation of the later approach as mentioned above.
The UAE is the tribal federation of seven emirates (Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Umm al-Qaiwain, Fujairah, Ajman, and Ra’s al-Khaimah), acquiring a sizeable portion of the Southeastern Arabian Peninsula.This part of the Arabian Peninsula which consists of one of the most viable states of the world, the UAE, withimmense potential is known for its thriving economy and vibrant metropolis has boosted exceptionally during the course of past decades. It haswitnessed a profound transformation from an impoverished region of small desert principalities, to a modern state with rapid advancement. The federation here hasexpedited infrastructure upgradation, generated numerous job opportunities and hasprovidedwide-ranging benefitsbyinvolving mega private sectors as well. The country’s relevant trade zones and conducive investment policies have attracted foreign traders, thereby, increasing the lucrative amount of profit for the development of the region. The open economy with a high per capita income and a sizable annual trade surplus has offered a plethora of opportunities to the world to cooperate and invest in multiple dimensions withtheGulf States. The successful efforts by the government in diversifying the economic patterns, have reduced the portion of total Gross Domestic Product (GDP)up to 30% from the oil and gas sector.
The world has become a global village. The countries are more inclined towards cooperation.In this regard, the UAE is further positioning to better take the advantage of globalization. The inclusivetransformative measures taken by the government are credible to highlight. The sustainable development and economic prosperity in various sectors haveresulted as a boon for the UAE and other partner states as well. The drastic measures are being placed in various domains, including the increasingglobalized capital, economy,labor, medical, and technology.Furthermore, in recent times, UAE has effectively tackled the fierce impacts emanated from the Covid-19 crisis and also assisted worldwide countries in combating the pandemic.
The UAE’s Initiatives to Curtail Adverse Impacts of Covid-19: The novelvirus has impacted everyone globally in an unexpected and unprecedented manner.It has killed and infected millions of people. The virus has impactedthe vulnerable segments of societiesacross the globe.
In the wake of COVID-19, the dynamic leadership of the UAE has demonstrated high levels of commitment and power in curbing the spread of the pandemic both locally and globally and has effectively relied on its efficient bureaucracy and stable governance systems. Presently, the grand vaccination program to protect people from the virus has started globally. The substantial initiativestaken by the UAE federation to terminate and eradicate the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, are coordinated through its National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA), in close partnership with a wide range of federal and local government institutions, which includes the United Nations System, and other regional and international partners. These efforts are multi-sectoral in nature, including efforts to boost capacities of the health sector in the UAE and abroad, enact a range of policy measures to provide liquidity and economic incentives for the private sector, and other measures intended to reduce the hardships felt by individuals as a result of the pandemic across all the seven states within UAE.
To combat the virus, the successful process of vaccination has also been initiated in the UAE. The Gulf Stateshave approved the American Pfizer-BioNTech, RussianSputnikV, and Chinese-made Sinopharm vaccines for mass use. It has also provided over 1,277 metric tons of aid to 107 countries, supporting more than 1.2 million medical professionals in the process.Right from the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the authorities have enacted several measures to limit the spread of the virus. Since the global vaccination process has started, UAE is witnessing a great deal of success in recovering from the adverse impacts of this contagious virus.
–The author is an Executive Director, Center for Global & Strategic Studies (CGSS), Islamabad
