His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has approved a resolution for the establishment of the Federal Demographic Council under the chairmanship of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Lt-Gen Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

The new body will be attached to the Emiratisation Council, which is also chaired by the interior minister, as both entities share similar goals in terms of developing the capacity and skills of the local population to serve the national interest.

Sheikh Mohammed had earlier received Sheikh Saif along with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Presidential Affairs Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the Presidential Palace in Abu Dhabi, where they reviewed national demographic initiatives, as well as the proposed mandate and mission of the council.

The council will work to strike a balance in the demographic structure of the country and deepen the sense of loyalty of the UAE citizens to their leadership and homeland.

To this end, the body will review population policies and work to develop national strategies and initiatives through co-ordination with other authorities concerned. It will also gather information, conduct studies and create an integrated data base as a key instrument for supporting policy making.

The move comes in line with the wise vision of the country's leadership to uphold the values of citizenship among all segments of the UAE society and provide them with the highest possible quality of life.

The meeting was also attended by Cabinet Affairs Minister Mohammed Abdullah Al Gergawi and Secretary-General of the Interior Ministry Office Major General Nasser Al Nuaimi Al Kheribani.

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