UAE Advances Regional Labour Market Cooperation at GCC Ministers’ Committee
Dr Abdulrahman Al Awar represents the Emirates at the 12th GCC Labour Ministers Committee meeting in Bahrain, emphasising integrated approaches to labour market development and regional economic resilience.
The United Arab Emirates has reaffirmed its commitment to collaborative regional development by participating in the 12th meeting of the Labour Ministers Committee of the Gulf Cooperation Council, convened in Bahrain on 8th October. Dr Abdulrahman Al Awar, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation and Acting Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, led the Emirati delegation in substantive discussions encompassing labour market innovation, workforce challenges and enhanced cooperation amongst Gulf nations.
The gathering assembled labour and human resources ministers from across the GCC member states to address the evolving complexities of contemporary employment sectors and to foster strategic coordination on matters of mutual concern. His Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Bahrain, received the distinguished delegates at Al-Qudaibiya Palace, alongside Shaikh Khalid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, Deputy Prime Minister of Bahrain, and Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary-General of the GCC.
Dr Al Awar articulated the Emirates’ perspective on constructing labour markets capable of responding with agility to economic transformation and technological advancement. He emphasised that such markets must simultaneously uphold worker protections and employment stability, whilst fostering the competitiveness essential to regional prosperity. The UAE’s own integrated approach combines legislative flexibility with substantial investment in human capital development, skills augmentation and digital innovation, underpinned by robust partnerships between government and private sector entities.
The committee’s deliberations encompassed several strategic priorities, notably the implementation trajectory of previous decisions, the coordination of unified positions within broader Arab and international forums, and the management of labour market impacts arising from exceptional contemporary circumstances. Considerable attention was devoted to regulating employment within the platform economy and advancing the transition towards green employment opportunities and requisite skills transformation.
A significant achievement emerged through the adoption of the Guideline on Equality and Gender Balance in the Labour Market, developed under UAE leadership. This framework reflects the region’s commitment to inclusive employment practices that benefit both economic productivity and social development. The committee additionally reviewed progress achieved under its comprehensive 2024 to 2029 strategic framework.
In recognition of exceptional contributions to civil service excellence, Khalil Khoori, Undersecretary of Labour Market Operations and Emiratisation at the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, received an award in the Outstanding Civil Service Professionals category. The ceremony further celebrated two UAE-based organisations that achieved outstanding Emiratisation rates, honouring Al-Futtaim Group and GEMS Education Group as recipients of the 2025 Nafis Award. Cyber 50, a distinguished cybersecurity enterprise, was similarly recognised for selection amongst the Future 100 initiative’s distinguished cohort of small and medium-sized enterprises.
Source: WAM