Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ABUDHABI1338
2007-08-09 14:23:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Cable title:  

ABU DHABI GOVERNMENT UNVEILS ITS "POLICY AGENDA 2007-2008"

Tags:  PREL PGOV SCUL SOCI AE 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO5990
RR RUEHDE RUEHDIR
DE RUEHAD #1338 2211423
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 091423Z AUG 07
FM AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9529
INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE
C O N F I D E N T I A L ABU DHABI 001338 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR NEA/ARP

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV SCUL SOCI AE
SUBJECT: ABU DHABI GOVERNMENT UNVEILS ITS "POLICY AGENDA 2007-2008"
-- STEPS TOWARD "TRANSPARENCY"

Classified by: CDA Martin Quinn for reasons 1.4(b),(d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L ABU DHABI 001338

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR NEA/ARP

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV SCUL SOCI AE
SUBJECT: ABU DHABI GOVERNMENT UNVEILS ITS "POLICY AGENDA 2007-2008"
-- STEPS TOWARD "TRANSPARENCY"

Classified by: CDA Martin Quinn for reasons 1.4(b),(d).


1. (U) Ambassadors and Charges of foreign embassies in Abu Dhabi were
called to a meeting on August 6 at the Emirates Palace Hotel for a
roll-out on its new "Emirate of Abu Dhabi Policy Agenda 2007-2008."
Diplomats were given a half-hour powerpoint presentation followed by
brief Q&A on the Abu Dhabi Emirate's comprehensive policy agenda.


2. (U) The 83-page agenda, in English and Arabic, consists of 18
independent policy statements providing detailed analysis of the Abu
Dhabi Emirate's plans in areas as diverse as: planning and economy,
energy, tourism, health, education, labor, civil services, culture
and heritage, food control, urban planning, transport, environment,
health and safety, municipal affairs, police and emergency services,
electronic government, women's affairs, and legislative reform. The
formidable document, a year in preparation, has been available
electronically on the UAE Government (WAM) official website since
August 1 -- when the agenda was formally announced to the media.


3. (SBU) UAE presenters Mohammed Mubarak Al Mazrouie, Vice Chairman
of the Abu Dhabi Executive Affairs Authority, and Yousef Al Otaiba,
Director of International Affairs of the Crown Prince's Court,
emphasized that the Policy Agenda would provide: (1) transparency,
(2) accountability, and (2) a measure of government performance.
Presenters stressed that the Agenda would help to streamline the
bureaucracy, provide better coordination between Emirate departments,
and enable members of the private sector and international observers
easier access to Abu Dhabi Emirate officials -- identifying who is in
charge of which initiative and thereby allowing the Abu Dhabi
Executive Council to spend most of its time on "strategic issues"
rather than fielding inquiries. The Agenda was described as "a
living document" subject to modification and revision on an annual
basis. Subsequent Policy Agendas would note progress in individual
departments and new initiatives, and would encapsulate the "vision"
of the Abu Dhabi Government.


4. (C) Comment: Although the Policy Agenda does not break new ground
in terms of who runs the country (or the Emirate) -- making frequent
references to the "wisdom" of Abu Dhabi ruler (and UAE President)
Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan as the final arbiter of policy --
it does usefully identify areas in which greater efficiency,
transparency, and interagency coordination can improve government
functions. It also ratifies the emirate's ongoing efforts to
outsource in some areas (such as education and health),and more
effective utilization of technology (through e-government
initiatives). The very public unveiling of the agenda as well as Abu
Dhabi's recent successful efforts to obtain a sovereign bond rating
and to price five-year bonds to create a "benchmark" for other
Emirate of Abu Dhabi borrowers also commit the Emirate's government
to taking some small steps toward increased governmental
transparency. End Comment.

QUINN