On Thursday, Dubai unveiled an ambitious social welfare budget of Dh208 billion over the next decade, prioritizing families and individuals.

The initiative, named 'Dubai Social Agenda 33,' aims to elevate the emirate into one of the world's top three cities in terms of living standards.

The plan focuses on empowering families, intending to double the number of new Emirati families, and includes a healthcare system to enhance life expectancy, an education system geared towards future skills, and a social system centered on protection and empowerment.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, announced the initiative on his 18th Accession Day. Under the theme 'Family: The Foundation of Our Nation,' the agenda aligns with the Dubai Economic Agenda, concentrating on sustainable social development. The goal is to triple Emirati employment in the private sector, fostering diverse opportunities for citizens to contribute to the emirate's economic growth.

The five main objectives of Dubai Social Agenda 33 are to cultivate happy, cohesive, and tolerant families, promote an efficient healthcare system, establish a forward-looking education system, create a proactive social system, and develop suitable housing while enhancing culture, arts, infrastructure, and community participation in sports.

The budget allocation of Dh208 billion, as per the Dubai Media Office (DMO), is more than double the support provided in the previous decade.

Notably, Dh120 billion is allocated for healthcare until 2033, and the budget for social well-being, including education, citizen support, arts, culture, housing, and sports, will rise over threefold from Dh26 billion in the past decade to Dh88 billion until 2033.

The breakdown includes allocations for citizen support and well-being, social institutions, Emirati housing, education and entrepreneurship, arts and culture, and sports.