Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE Competitiveness Council announced the launch of the fourth edition of the “Nafes” Award for institutions and individuals for the year 2025-2026. The award represents a significant step towards enhancing human development in the UAE and reaffirms the council’s commitment to supporting the presence of national talents in the labor market, contributing to the strengthening of the national economy and community development.
Objectives of the “Nafes” Award
The “Nafes” Award aims to honor outstanding achievements in the development of Emirati talents and embody the vision of wise leadership in increasing the participation of citizens in the labor market. The award encourages excellence and competitiveness in the private sector, as enhancing the capabilities of national talents is one of the strategic priorities of the state. The administration confirmed that this launch represents a firm commitment to applying best practices to enhance the quality of work in both the private and banking sectors.
Annual “Nafes” Forum Events
The “Nafes” Council organized the second edition of the annual “Nafes” Forum at the Dubai Exhibition Center, with the participation of a prominent group of representatives from both the governmental and private sectors. The event featured a series of discussion sessions aimed at supporting collaboration and innovation in enhancing national talents. Ghanem Al Mazrouei, the council’s secretary-general, emphasized during his speech the government’s commitment to supporting national talents, praising the launch of the “Nafes” program in 2021 as an initiative aimed at empowering 170,000 citizens in the private sector.
Achievements of the “Nafes” Program
Ghanem Al Mazrouei confirmed that the “Nafes” program has achieved remarkable positive results, with the number of citizens working in the private and banking sectors rising from 29,000 to over 157,000, marking a record growth exceeding 437% in five years. Additionally, the number of private sector establishments employing citizens increased from 7,000 to over 30,000, reflecting the program’s success in achieving its goals and turning its vision into tangible reality.
New Developments in the Award
The Strategic Planning Department of the UAE Competitiveness Council has organized important updates for the fourth round of the award, enhancing the evaluation criteria for the institutional category. The focus will shift to the quality and sustainability of employment rather than just numbers, allowing for the recognition of companies that invest in the professional growth of their Emirati employees. A new category has also been introduced for professionals working in the education sector, aiming to recognize Emirati talents in this vital area.