Sharjah 24 – WAM: Suhail bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, said that the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, through the Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme, has engaged in numerous talks, established partnerships and launched distinguished initiatives and ambitious action plans for the coming 50 years, to enhance the urban planning system, provide advanced infrastructure and sustainable government housing to improve their happiness and living conditions of residents.

He explained that these efforts are an enactment of the directives of the UAE leadership.

In his statement marking World Habitat Day, observed on the first Monday of October, Al Mazrouei stressed that the ministry's housing projects are part of its urban development plan for the next 50 years, and will support the UAE's infrastructure system and help achieve the UAE’s goal of ensuring the welfare of citizens.

The priorities of Abu Dhabi’s leadership include providing adequate housing to citizens, he added.

The year 2020 saw the announcement of directives to allocate land plots, housing loans and units, as well as to exempt retired citizens and families of deceased persons from paying loans, with a total value of AED15.5 billion, benefitting 13,626 citizens.

Since its launch in 1999, the Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme, which is managed by the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, has issued over 74,504 housing support resolutions, comprising loans and grants with a total value of AED41 billion. The programme has delivered 35,455 housing units to beneficiaries.

The ministry is currently constructing 11,103 housing units around the country. In 2020, it delivered 2,538 housing units to beneficiaries, while 2021 saw the delivery of 1,726 housing units in Dubai, Ajman and Ras Al Khaimah.

The theme for this year’s World Habitat Day is ''Accelerating urban action for a carbon-free world''. 
World Habitat Day will amplify the global Race to Zero Campaign and encourage local governments to develop actionable zero-carbon plans in the run up to the international climate change summit COP26 in November 2021.