UAE Announces New National Anti-Drugs Strategy To Combat Drug Trafficking

Alifiya H Ujjainwala
Alifiya H Ujjainwala November 5, 2024

HH Sheikh Mohammed's X account

The UAE Cabinet, led by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, has approved a new National Anti-Narcotics Strategy to fight drug trafficking – both domestically and internationally. This strategy builds on the establishment of the National Council Against Drugs, announced earlier this year. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum also emphasized the serious threat of drugs to society and called for a united effort to combat this.

The meeting was attended by several high-ranking UAE officials, Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Defence, among others.

Taking to his X account, Sheikh Mohammed penned, “Today, I chaired the UAE government’s annual meetings, which were launched in the capital, Abu Dhabi. We started the government activities of this national gathering through an exceptional meeting of the Cabinet.”

He added, “The annual meetings bring together the 500 most important officials in the UAE, and their importance is doubled… because working in a team spirit between various federal and local entities is no longer an option, but rather a fixed path to accelerate the development process in the country.”

“Our goal from these meetings is to come up with national projects, programs, and a clear agenda for the coming year 2025. Our goal is to establish a single spirit… a single vision… and unified efforts between all governments to serve the union and the people of the union,” he concluded.

This comprehensive plan includes measures to enhance border control, increase international cooperation, improve drug detection, and foster prevention efforts, while also prioritizing the rehabilitation of drug users, aiming to create a drug-free society.

During the meeting, the Cabinet also approved 22 international agreements with 17 countries, covering economy, trade, law, education, energy, and research areas. These agreements strengthen the UAE’s global partnerships and foster economic growth.

 

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