Doha: HE President of the Civil Service and Government Development Bureau (CSGDB) and Secretary-General of the National Planning Council (NPC) Dr. Abdulaziz bin Nasser bin Mubarak Al Khalifa affirmed that investing in human capital is the cornerstone of achieving Qatar National Vision 2030, highlighting the importance of developing national talents, while strengthening the role of the private sector, and enhancing the competitiveness of the labor market.
According to Qatar News Agency, His Excellency made these remarks during the first session of the "President Dialogue Series," organized by the Community College of Qatar under the theme "Education and Talent Empowerment: Toward Qatar National Vision 2030." He emphasized the significant accomplishments Qatar has achieved over the past decades in building infrastructure and developing national institutions and policies. His Excellency called for building upon these achievements while learning from the lessons and challenges faced by the country.
Dr. Al Khalifa underscored that Qatar was the first country in the Middle East to launch a comprehensive national vision in 2008, followed by successive national development strategies. These strategies are based on periodic assessments of strengths and challenges. The third National Development Strategy 2024-2030 is structured around seven key outcomes, including fiscal sustainability, a diversified and sustainable economy, and quality of life.
He highlighted that policymaking requires balancing multiple and interconnected issues, such as attracting foreign investment and maintaining demographic equilibrium. The "art of management," he noted, lies in managing conflicting priorities to serve the national interest.
HE Dr. Al Khalifa stressed that human development is the first pillar of Qatar's National Vision, with the family and women forming the nucleus of society. He added that all economic and social policies and plans ultimately aim to serve the people and enhance their quality of life.
In terms of national talent development, Dr. Al Khalifa announced the launch of the 'Iktifaa' program to train government project managers. He explained that the Third National Development Strategy includes 924 projects managed by trained project managers who have undergone specialized training programs covering leadership, talent management, and project implementation.
He also mentioned efforts to enhance community participation in decision-making through the 'Sharek' platform, which allows citizens, residents, and the private sector to express their opinions on laws, policies, and government services. This initiative aims to improve government performance and service quality.
The President highlighted national priorities, such as digital transformation and improving customer experiences with government entities. He noted the implementation of the 'Mystery Shopper' initiative to evaluate government agencies' performance and enhance service quality, aiming for a more efficient and flexible government system.
Furthermore, Dr. Al Khalifa emphasized strengthening the private sector's role in the coming phase, with the government focusing on policy development and sector regulation while granting the private sector a greater role in operations and economic diversification.
He urged young people to explore opportunities in the private sector and not limit themselves to government jobs, emphasizing that competition and continuous development are vital for building national competencies capable of competing regionally and globally.
Dr. Al Khalifa pointed out efforts to align university specializations with labor market needs through government scholarship programs and priority specializations, stressing that the real challenge lies in matching skills and specializations with market demands.
Concluding his remarks, Dr. Abdulaziz bin Nasser bin Mubarak Al Khalifa emphasized that Qatar has overcome various challenges and emerged stronger and more adaptable, reiterating that investing in human beings remains the primary focus for achieving sustainable development.