After months of battle against the spread of Coronavirus, vaccines are helping countries recover from the repercussions of the pandemic. The National recently published an editorial, noting that while equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines is a challenge, countries with high vaccination rates are witnessing a tangible return to normality.

"Securing the health of a population is one thing – economic convalescence is another. The difficulty that task poses for governments will last a great deal longer," the UAE English daily stated.

Owing to its second-highest vaccination rate worldwide, the UAE has emerged as one of the leading countries that can start planning and strategising for the post-pandemic future.

In this regard, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai held a meeting with His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, earlier this month to discuss the plans for future beyond the pandemic.

The English daily underlined that the UAE has started opening to tourists, with hotels across the country recording a surge in occupancy rates. Furthermore, Dubai and Abu Dhabi have started hosting major international events, including a gathering of hospitality industry leaders at Gulfood and defence exhibition IDEX.

"Both occasions appear to have resulted in no significant rise in infections," The National affirmed in the editorial.

The paper stated that Dubai is scheduled to hold more meetings in the coming months, including the International Astronautical Congress. Furthermore, Abu Dhabi will be hosting ADIPEC later this year and a number of other high-level in-person events in the emirate.

"A true recovery will not just be about returning to pre-pandemic openness at the border, however. COVID-19 has familiarised people around the world with particularly ambitious government policymaking; reviving economies after well over a year of unprecedented disruption will require yet more," the newspaper added.

The UAE has launched a number of significant projects, including a new centre for food technology, which is being regarded as a 'global destination' for innovation. UAE's Food Tech Valley will allow the country to utilise the financially promising area of agricultural technology. The authorities are expecting the value of agricultural technology to rise from US$13.5 billion to US$22 billion over the next four years.

According to the editorial, Food Tech Valley is going to research various ways to provide essential commodities to people in need, noting that it is a particularly pressing concern for the Middle East. The Abu Dhabi-based daily asserted that there are countries in the Middle East threatened by over-reliance on food imports, water crisis and rapidly growing population.

Therefore, the project will initially focus on innovations such as vertical farming along with increased academic presence with the aim of turning research into solutions to tackle global issues.

In conclusion, The National stated that the GCC region has the potential to place itself at the forefront of global economic recovery with its proactive response to the pandemic that has been better than most regions.

"A particularly effective one will not just prioritise a return to normal, but also plan for the many other risks that may lie ahead. If the pandemic has taught the world anything, it is that readiness matters above all else," The National added.

WAM