Post by : Badri Ariffin

Abu Dhabi, UAE — His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, has officially directed the establishment of the Community-Managed Virtual Authority. This pioneering initiative is inspired by the vision of the UAE’s Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed, and aims to enhance the role of skilled individuals in shaping the nation’s future.

Coinciding with the conclusion of the Year of Community, the new authority introduces an innovative governance model that places community participation at its core. For the first time, qualified members of the UAE community will take full responsibility for managing a public authority. Leadership roles, including the Director General and team members, will rotate periodically, each tasked with developing impactful and sustainable solutions that benefit the country and its people.

This initiative reflects the UAE President’s broader vision of empowering people, harnessing their talents, and investing in human capital to serve society’s evolving needs. It aligns with the UAE Centennial 2071 vision, which emphasizes human development, innovation, and positioning the UAE as a global leader in future government models.

The Community-Managed Virtual Authority employs a flexible appointment process, based on clear criteria such as expertise, competence, and ability to contribute effectively. Rotating leadership encourages a continual flow of fresh ideas and knowledge exchange, strengthening community engagement and fostering a culture of shared responsibility.

The authority seeks to attract a diverse mix of Emiratis — including professionals, academics, youth, entrepreneurs, and retirees — to participate on a rotating basis. This diversity promotes generational exchange and leverages the full potential of community skills for national growth.

The core mandate focuses on designing innovative, actionable initiatives that address community needs, enhance social cohesion, improve quality of life, and support sustainable development. Operations follow clear frameworks and policies to ensure continuity and momentum despite leadership changes.

By maintaining alignment with national strategies and priorities, the authority reinforces public trust in participatory governance. It serves as a global model of community-led government innovation, blending administrative flexibility with direct human capital investment.

The launch marks a lasting legacy of the Year of Community, embedding its ‘Hand in Hand’ spirit into a permanent, institutionalized framework. This model transforms temporary initiatives into sustainable, people-driven governance that empowers the community to share responsibility and lead solutions for the nation’s benefit.

#Global News