Biden visits Mohammad bin Rashid Centre for Government Innovation

DUBAI, 9th March 2016 (WAM) - US Vice-President Joe Biden praised the UAE’s landmark achievements and innovative initiatives, which make it a model for innovation to be emulated in the region, Gulf News reported yesterday. Biden was speaking during his visit on Tuesday to the Mohammad bin Rashid Centre for Government Innovation (MRCGI). He was accompanied by Mohammad bin Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and the Future, Reem Ebrahim Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation, and Shamma Suhail Faris Al Mazroui, Minister of State for Youth. The paper said that Biden toured the centre, where he was briefed on its responsibilities and objectives for which it was established in light of the UAE leadership’s interest in creating an environment and providing proper conditions to ensure the success of the government’s innovative approach. He expressed his appreciation of efforts by the UAE’s wise leadership and its vision for the government work in serving society. He said that the UAE pays great attention to the youth sector and is keen to engage male and female youth in the development march witnessed by the UAE. He also indicated the great support women enjoy in the UAE, an approach that has enabled Emirati women to hold high-profile positions within decision-making circles. The US Vice-President highlighted the strong ties of cooperation between the UAE and the US, and their shared vision in a number of fields, which include providing youth with opportunities that enable them to play a positive role in their communities. Biden added that both countries agree on several vital topics, most notably on environmental protection by adopting methods of sustainable development and implementation of clean energy solutions to reduce the carbon footprint and ensure a clean environment for future generations. Later, Biden met a group of young entrepreneurs and Emirati leaders, and underlined the importance of the involvement of the private sector in comprehensive development and engaging youth in the process. He lauded the success of the UAE’s experience in the area of youth empowerment and the adoption of a strategy based on the principle of partnership between the public and private sector. – Emirates News Agency, WAM - http://www.wam.ae/en/news/emirates/1395292571310.html