I was seated next to the US President George W. Bush during his recent visit to Dubai. We were at a question and answer session and at the end of it, he told me how impressed he was with all the development he witnessed in Dubai.
He is neither the first nor the last to be amazed at how Dubai, within the last decade, has managed to become a global player and an international city.
Dubai has not reached this point by way of coincidence or fortune. Let us not forget that Dubai is part of a region that has faced, and continues to face turbulence and major challenges, and yet we have managed to thrive.
What you see in Dubai today, is a result of strategic vision, determination, practical and benevolent leadership.
The rapid pace and quality of developments are a product of a system of governance that believes in free trade, believes in investing in human capital and innovation, and that believes that government must spearhead society forward through the creation of progressive government policies and government entities that meet the needs of society, in an increasingly globalised world.
His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, stressed this point when he presented the Dubai 2015 strategy saying that "a world class government is essential to face global competitive pressures and expectations for greater transparency, accountability, efficiency, equity and responsiveness to the public in terms of customer service excellence".
Central role
Just to illustrate further the central role of governance and leadership in development, I would like to share a conversation I had with an acquaintance. We were discussing how the private sector functions and how government sectors in most Arab and Muslim countries function.
My acquaintance was explaining to me that "the private sector is a whole different arena, if we don't make money we're dead, we're not subsidised, we don't have that luxury of taking it easy like the government sector".
I had to smile, and explain to him that we have ushered in a new era, one where we are redefining the meaning of '"state-owned" and "governance" in general.
For us, government and state-owned operations must embody excellence, sustainability, transparency, accountability, innovation, and diversification of sources of income, all governed by best practices. This is our mandate, and this is the mind-set that has rapidly propelled our city forward.
When Bush got up to say goodbye, and in response to his admiration of our city, I told him that Dubai in many ways is a model for the region, it is an embodiment of the true possibilities and potential that exists in the Arab and Muslim worlds.
In the face of all the stereotypes, and political rhetoric, that exists about Arab, and Muslim societies, and the need for Western democracies in the Middle East, I will say that Dubai is an Arab and Muslim society, and we are not a Western democracy, and yet we are on the map of the world today, as a magnet for over 180 nationalities, as a thriving economic hub and a haven for quality living.
I have found the phrase, "the need for Western democracy in the Arab world" to be an empty phrase, particularly in the context of our world today, used often for political agendas; what people want is wise and benevolent leadership, and "sustainable systems" that protect their rights, their dignity and that provide them with a great life. Dubai has proved that.
Najla Al Awadhi is a member of the Federal National Council, Deputy CEO Dubai Media Incorporated and General Manager of Dubai One TV.
