UAE Participates in the 11th GCC Labour Ministers’ Meeting in Kuwait

UAE Participates in the 11th GCC Labour Ministers’ Meeting in Kuwait. His Excellency Dr. Abdulrahman Al Awar, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation and Acting Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, led a high-level delegation from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) to the 11th GCC Labour Ministers’ Committee meeting.

The meeting was hosted in Kuwait City, Kuwait, bringing together Labour and Human Resources Ministers from all GCC countries. The session concluded successfully on September 4th, 2025, with a focus on strengthening GCC labour policies, cooperation, and workforce development. UAE Participates in the 11th GCC Labour Ministers’ Meeting in Kuwait

On the sidelines of the meeting, His Excellency Dr. Al Awar met with His Excellency Abdullah Ali Al Yahya, Kuwait’s Foreign Affairs Minister, and His Excellency Jassim Mohammed Al Budaiwi, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council.

These meetings highlighted the UAE’s commitment to maintaining strong international relations and promoting labour collaboration across the GCC.

During the meeting, His Excellency Dr. Al Awar emphasised the importance of GCC cooperation and coordination in labour affairs. He highlighted that effective communication and collaboration are essential to:

• Sustaining leadership in the GCC labour market
• Developing best practices for ongoing growth
• Ensuring the well-being and dignity of citizens and residents

Dr. Al Awar underlined that working together across GCC countries is vital for addressing shared labour challenges and advancing regional economic growth.

His Excellency highlighted the UAE’s achievements in establishing a world-class work environment. Key points included:

• Promotion of decent work and equality in the workplace
• Enhanced private sector presence, providing more employment opportunities
• Emirati citizens in the private sector now exceed 152,000

He also noted the 17% growth in private sector companies last year, with the UAE ranking first globally in workforce growth and employment according to the Global Competitiveness Yearbook Report 2025. The skilled workforce in the UAE increased by 13%, reflecting the country’s focus on talent development and labour market reforms.

The UAE has implemented a comprehensive framework to protect workers, which has significantly strengthened the labour market’s attractiveness. This framework focuses on:

• Improving employees’ skills and career development
• Supporting job creation in future-oriented sectors, such as digital transformation and artificial intelligence
• Ensuring fair treatment and job security for all workers

Dr. Al Awar explained that these initiatives not only benefit the UAE workforce but also serve as a model for other GCC countries, demonstrating the UAE’s commitment to excellence in human resources management.

His Excellency highlighted the Abu Dhabi Dialogue as a key initiative supporting labour mobility between GCC countries and sending nations. This platform is crucial for:

• Attracting skilled workers to GCC countries
• Ensuring fair and regulated labour migration
• Supporting UAE-led labour initiatives and GCC-wide cooperation

Dr. Al Awar emphasised that such dialogue mechanisms strengthen labour policies, enhance the private sector, and create opportunities for shared economic growth.

The Minister reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to:

• Participate in all GCC initiatives that strengthen joint efforts
• Align labour policies and systems among GCC states
• Address shared challenges arising from rapid global developments

He stressed the importance of knowledge exchange and sharing national best practices to improve efficiency, productivity, and competitiveness across GCC labour markets

Alongside the meeting, an awards ceremony was held to recognise leading companies and small businesses contributing to Emiratisation and workforce development in the UAE. Notable awardees included:

• Al Masaood Energy – Recognised for excellence in Emiratisation
• Epic Temporary Employment Service L.L.C – Honoured for outstanding contributions to Emiratisation
• Oceanic Company – Awarded as the best small business in the UAE

Dr. Al Awar congratulated all winners, acknowledging their role in enhancing the effectiveness of Emiratisation policies and promoting entrepreneurship. He emphasised that these achievements reflect the UAE’s economic and social progress, encouraging other companies to follow their lead.

The UAE delegation from MoHRE included:

• Her Excellency Shaima Al Awadhi, Acting Undersecretary of Labour Market Development & Regulation
• Assistant Undersecretary for Communications & International Relations
• His Excellency Ahmed Al Nasser, Assistant Undersecretary for Labour Market Policies
• Other senior officials from MoHRE

This delegation’s participation underlines the UAE’s commitment to high-level collaboration with GCC countries and sharing expertise in labour policies and workforce management.

The GCC Labour Ministers’ Meetings serve as a strategic platform for:

• Strengthening labour market coordination among GCC states
• Aligning policies for workforce growth and development
• Enhancing regional competitiveness and productivity
• Supporting sustainable economic development and leadership

Such meetings help GCC countries address common labour challenges, including employment, worker protection, and labour mobility, ensuring that citizens and residents benefit from shared regional policies.

The UAE’s commitment to workforce development has led to several global recognitions:

• Ranked first globally for private sector growth
• Achieved a 12% growth rate in the workforce, with skilled workforce growth at 13%
• Recognised for leading work environment and employment standards

These achievements demonstrate the UAE’s proactive approach to labour market reforms, supporting both economic diversification and job creation for citizens and expatriates alike.

Dr. Al Awar highlighted the UAE’s private sector initiatives as a cornerstone for:

• Creating new jobs for Emiratis
• Encouraging entrepreneurial projects and small business development
• Boosting workforce skills and productivity
• Attracting international investors and skilled workers

Such initiatives play a crucial role in achieving sustainable development goals and positioning the UAE as a global leader in human resources and labour policies.

The UAE continues to focus on future-oriented sectors, including:

• Digital transformation
• Artificial intelligence
• Technology-driven industries

By aligning labour policies with emerging sectors, the UAE ensures that its workforce is prepared for rapid technological changes and global economic trends, maintaining competitiveness within the GCC and internationally.

The meeting also provided an opportunity for GCC countries to:

• Share national best practices
• Exchange knowledge on workforce policies
• Align labour standards across member states

This collaboration helps ensure that GCC labour markets remain efficient, fair, and globally competitive, benefiting both citizens and expatriates in the region.

Dr. Al Awar emphasised that sustainable development in the GCC requires:

• Collaboration among governments and private sectors
• Effective policy implementation
• Focusing on human capital development
• Enhancing social and economic well-being

Through such strategies, GCC countries can achieve long-term economic resilience, labour market efficiency, and workforce satisfaction.

The UAE delegation actively participated in discussions on labour policies, focusing on:

• Best practices in worker protection
• Innovative workforce development programs
• Strategies for promoting Emiratisation
• Methods to enhance GCC labour market competitiveness

This exchange of expertise strengthens regional cooperation and ensures that GCC countries remain aligned in achieving common visions for labour markets

The 11th GCC Labour Ministers’ Meeting in Kuwait highlighted the UAE’s leadership and commitment to strengthening GCC labour cooperation. Under the guidance of His Excellency Dr. Abdulrahman Al Awar, the UAE showcased its achievements in Emiratisation, private sector growth, workforce development, and worker protection frameworks.

By sharing expertise, aligning labour policies, and recognising excellence through awards, the UAE reinforces its position as a global leader in labour market reforms. The meeting also demonstrated the importance of GCC collaboration, ensuring sustainable economic growth, productivity, and workforce well-being for citizens and residents.