We the UAE 2031 Implementation Phases: Three-Year Rolling Plans

Introduction

We the UAE 2031 employs a phased implementation methodology structured around three-year rolling plans. This approach balances the need for long-term strategic consistency with the flexibility to recalibrate targets and reallocate resources as conditions evolve. Each phase builds upon the outputs of its predecessor, creating a cumulative pathway toward the twelve national KPIs that define the vision’s success. The three-phase structure also enables the UAE Government Performance Council to conduct meaningful mid-cycle reviews, identifying programmes that require acceleration, adjustment, or replacement.

Phase 1: Foundations and Institutional Alignment (2023-2025)

The first implementation phase focused on establishing the governance architecture, legislative foundations, and institutional alignment necessary to support the vision’s full execution. Key priorities included consolidating federal and emirate-level planning into a unified framework, enacting legislative reforms, launching foundational infrastructure projects, and establishing the data collection and reporting systems required for KPI monitoring.

Key Milestones: Phase 1

Phase 1 delivered the institutional scaffolding upon which subsequent phases depend. The governance tiers, from Cabinet-level strategic oversight through sectoral councils to entity-level execution, were formalised and tested through initial implementation cycles. The semi-annual KPI review process was operationalised, with the first set of progress reports published through the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre.

Phase 2: Scaling and Acceleration (2026-2028)

The second phase, now underway, shifts emphasis from institutional setup to programme scaling, private sector mobilisation, and the achievement of mid-term KPI milestones. This phase is characterised by higher execution velocity, increased capital deployment, and the introduction of performance-linked incentive structures for federal entities.

Key Priorities: Phase 2

The scaling phase targets measurable progress across all four pillars simultaneously. On the economic pillar, the focus is on accelerating non-oil GDP growth toward the 80% threshold, expanding the CEPA trade agreement portfolio, and advancing Operation 300bn industrial targets. The society pillar prioritises education quality improvements, healthcare system modernisation, and the expansion of Emirati workforce participation. The global pillar targets diplomatic network expansion, soft power index advancement, and continued space programme milestones. The sustainability pillar focuses on clean energy capacity deployment toward the 19.8 GW target and the scaling of circular economy and water security programmes.

Mid-Term KPI Targets

Private Sector Engagement

Phase 2 places particular emphasis on private sector mobilisation. The updated PPP framework provides standardised contract structures, risk-sharing mechanisms, and transparent procurement processes designed to attract institutional investors and multinational corporations. Sector-specific investment promotion campaigns target advanced manufacturing, fintech, healthcare technology, clean energy, and logistics as priority domains for foreign direct investment attraction.

Phase 3: Consolidation and Target Attainment (2029-2031)

The final phase is designated for the achievement of headline KPI targets, consolidation of institutional gains, and the initiation of transition planning for the subsequent national vision expected to cover the 2031-2041 period. Phase 3 will require sustained execution discipline, as the most challenging incremental gains typically occur in the final approach to ambitious targets.

Key Priorities: Phase 3

The consolidation phase will focus on closing remaining gaps between actual performance and KPI targets, embedding successful programmes into permanent institutional structures, and conducting the strategic assessment that will inform the next national vision. The phase also encompasses the federation’s preparation for a potential Expo or major international event bid for the early 2030s, which would provide a focal point for demonstrating vision achievements to a global audience.

Transition Planning

The UAE’s layered planning methodology, with We the UAE 2031 nested within the Centennial 2071 framework, requires that the final phase of each vision period includes structured transition planning. This process involves reviewing the accuracy of original assumptions, assessing which targets were achieved and which require extension, and identifying emerging priorities that the current vision did not anticipate. The transition planning process is expected to begin formally in 2030, with the successor vision announced in late 2031 or early 2032.

Conclusion

The three-phase implementation structure of We the UAE 2031 provides a disciplined framework for translating a decade-long strategic vision into actionable programmes with clear accountability. The phased approach allows for mid-course corrections while maintaining overall strategic direction. As the federation enters Phase 2, the emphasis shifts from building institutional foundations to delivering measurable outcomes at scale, a transition that will test the execution capacity of the UAE’s governance system and determine the ultimate success of the 2031 agenda.