The government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has appointed the country’s first minister of state for happiness. The Minister will be in charge of bringing happiness to its citizens.
The UAE formed from seven different federations only 44 years ago. On the World Happiness Report in 2015, the oil rich nation was ranked number 20 in the world.
Switzerland was named the world’s happiest country, in front of Iceland, Denmark and Norway, with Canada rounding up the top five. However, the report creators singled the UAE out in 2015 for its stated commitment to happiness.
The UAE’s Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has announced on Twitter that Ohood Al Roumi was given the job to ensure happiness in the country. Sheikh Al Maktoum is also the ruler of Dubai, and the vice president of the UAE. Before her appointment as a minister for happiness, Al Roumi was the director-general of the prime minister’s office. The Prime Minister confirmed again on Twitter that she will continue to hold that position in addition to her new appointment.
According to local media in 2015, the United Nations Foundation selected Al Roumi to be a member of its Global Entrepreneurship Council. She is said to be the the first Arab member of the body.
“National happiness isn’t a wish. Plans, projects, programmes, indices will inform the work of our ministries to achieve happiness,” PM Sheikh Al Maktoum wrote on his official Twitter page, confirming the creation of the long speculated ministry. Some media outlets had speculated in the past that the country was considering creating a ministry for ensuring happiness in the country.
Ohood Al Roumi as Minister of State for Happiness. She remains responsible as DG of the Prime Minister’s Office. pic.twitter.com/1Omrzc9b8F
— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) February 10, 2016
PM Al Maktoun also said the newly appointed minister would align and drive government policy to create social good and satisfaction, adding that “It is a beginning of a new journey of achievement and giving to the people and we ask Allah to help us to serve and take care of them”.
The UAE has put in place a national agenda known as Vision 2021. By the year 2021, the National Agenda aims for the country to be among the best in the world in the Human Development Index, and to be the happiest of all nations, so that its citizens feel proud to belong to the Emirates.
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