RESILIENCE MARKS UAE'S FUTURE VISION

From economic diversification to climate adaptation, the country has turned resilience into a governing philosophy shaping policy, cities and society

- BY KRISTIAN P. ALEXANDER | Special to Gulf News

In recent years, "resilience" has emerged as one of the defining buzzwords in the UAE's policy and governance vocabulary. Once a term primarily confined to academic and development circles, resilience has evolved into a strategic national ethos, a framework that underpins how the UAE conceives of progress, security, and sustainability. For Dubai and the wider federation, resilience is not only about weathering crises as it is about anticipating them, adapting effectively, and using disruption as a platform for innovation.

Resilience has been elevated to a national priority through a range of strategic frameworks. The UAE Vision 2021, followed by “We the UAE 2031”, both underscore adaptability and preparedness as key determinants of success in an era defined by uncertainty. Similarly, Dubai’s 2021 Plan and Dubai Future Agenda link resilience to economic diversification, urban innovation, and governance flexibility, vital attributes for a post-oil, knowledge-driven economy. The UAE has also begun to frame elements of foreign policy through “resilience diplomacy,” emphasising the capacity to help partners withstand shocks and adapt to complex, interconnected crises.

The UAE’s approach to resilience is broad and multidimensional. It fuses economic, environmental, social, and institutional resilience into a coherent state strategy. At its core lies a belief that resilience is not a defensive posture but a forward-looking philosophy, one that allows the UAE to remain agile amid global volatility.

Economic and institutional resilience