Vision & priorities
Seven priorities shaping Abu Dhabi’s next chapter
An editorial reading of the themes that recur across the decisions, strategies and engagements of Sheikh Khaled’s leadership — each grounded in official announcements.
Each point is labelled by who owns it: his role (launched, approved, reviewed or chaired by Sheikh Khaled), the Abu Dhabi Government, or the UAE federal level.
Future economy
Innovation and diversification
Reducing reliance on hydrocarbons has been a long-standing aim of the Abu Dhabi Government. As Chairman of the Executive Office, Sheikh Khaled launched the Abu Dhabi Industrial Strategy in June 2022, committing AED10 billion across six programmes to expand manufacturing and non-oil exports.
- AED10 billionIndustrial Strategy investment across six programmes, 2022 · his role
- AED172 billionTarget size of the manufacturing sector by 2031 · Abu Dhabi Government
- 13,600 skilled jobsTargeted by the Industrial Strategy by 2031 · Abu Dhabi Government
- AED5 billionAbu Dhabi IPO Fund to support companies listing on the Abu Dhabi exchange, 2021 · his role
AI & technology
Towards an AI-native government
The Abu Dhabi Government Digital Strategy 2025–2027, launched by the Department of Government Enablement in January 2025, aims to make Abu Dhabi an AI-native government by 2027. Its progress was reviewed at an Executive Council meeting chaired by Sheikh Khaled in September 2025.
Beyond the emirate, he is Vice-Chairman of the Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Technology Council and, at the G20 in Johannesburg, announced a US$1 billion “AI for Development” initiative for Africa.
- AED13 billionInvestment under the Digital Strategy 2025–2027 · Abu Dhabi Government
- 200+ AI solutionsPlanned across government services by 2027 · Abu Dhabi Government
- 95%+Share of government employees trained in AI, reported to the Council in September 2025 · reviewed under his chairmanship
- US$1 billionAI for Development initiative for Africa, November 2025 · his role, on behalf of the UAE
Human capital
Education, skills and national talent
Sheikh Khaled has repeatedly linked the emirate’s future to the skills of its citizens. In 2021 he opened 42 Abu Dhabi, a tuition-free coding school, and directed the launch of a government-led career-building programme. In August 2023 he inaugurated the Mawaheb Talent Hub, which offers Emiratis careers counselling, upskilling and job matching.
- 7,450 citizensTook part in the Mawaheb pilot, across 680 courses and workshops · his role
- 1,650Participants matched to jobs during the pilot phase · reported at the 2023 inauguration
- 42 Abu DhabiTuition-free, peer-to-peer coding school inaugurated in October 2021 · his role
Sustainability
Long-term environmental and economic resilience
Resource security features in the decisions of the Executive Council. In November 2025 the Council, chaired by Sheikh Khaled, approved an Integrated Water Strategy developed with the Department of Energy.
When the UAE hosted COP28 in December 2023 — a federal undertaking — he toured the conference’s Green Zone, including the UAE’s House of Sustainability.
- Integrated Water StrategyApproved by the Executive Council, November 2025 · his role
- COP28 Green ZoneVisit during the UN climate conference hosted by the UAE, December 2023 · UAE federal
Infrastructure
Modern urban development and connectivity
In June 2026 Sheikh Khaled inaugurated the MBZ City passenger station and witnessed the unveiling of the UAE’s national passenger rail network, with services between Abu Dhabi and Fujairah announced from 30 June 2026. In July 2026 he witnessed the launch of Marsa Al Saadiyat, a large mixed-use development by Aldar.
- 1 hour 45 minutesAnnounced passenger journey time between Abu Dhabi and Fujairah · UAE national rail
- 6.4 million m²Area of the Marsa Al Saadiyat development, with an announced value of AED100 billion · Aldar
- 200+ parks & courtsDelivered with 24 schools and 21 mosques in phase one of the Liveability Strategy · Abu Dhabi Government
Government excellence
Efficiency, service quality and performance
From 2019 to 2023 Sheikh Khaled chaired the Abu Dhabi Executive Office, whose mandate includes developing government performance, setting standards of excellence for government services and measuring customer satisfaction. In March 2022 he launched the Abu Dhabi Program for Effortless Customer Experience to simplify how residents deal with government.
- ≈50%Streamlining of customer journeys in the programme’s pilot at three government entities · his role
- AED50 billionGhadan 21 accelerator programme, launched by Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed; implementation led by the Executive Office under Sheikh Khaled
Quality of life
Public services, community and liveability
Many decisions taken under Sheikh Khaled’s chairmanship concern everyday life in the emirate: the AED42 billion expansion of the Liveability Strategy, a Healthy Living Strategy with the Department of Health, the Emirati Family Growth Programme and, under the directives of the UAE President, housing benefits for citizens.
- AED42 billionLiveability Strategy expansion approved in September 2025 · his role
- 67% → 81%Neighbourhood integration reported to the Council after phase one · Abu Dhabi Government
- AED15.384 billionHousing benefits for 10,718 citizens across three packages in 2025 · his role, under the directives of the UAE President
