DUBAI 13 February 2018: ‘The Global Happiness Coalition’ of six launch countries – UAE, Portugal, Costa Rica, Mexico, Kazakhstan, and Slovenia – was unveiled in Dubai yesterday.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and Crown Prince of Dubai Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, witnessed the signing of the agreement to establish The Global Happiness Coalition.
It was signed by Minister of State for Happiness and Quality of Life Ohoud Khalfan Al Roumi, Portugal’s Minister of the Presidency and of Administrative Modernisation Maria Manuel Leitão Marques, Costa Rica’s Minister of National Planning and Economic Policy Olga Marta Sánchez Oviedo; Kazakhstan’s Minister of Information and Communication Dauren Abayev; Slovenia’s Minister of Development, Strategic Projects and Cohesion Alenka Smerkolj; and Head of the President’s Office in Mexico, Francisco Guzmán Ortiz.
The Global Happiness Coalition aims to spread the notion of happiness as an objective for the development and a basis for relations between nations; as well as exchanging expertise and assessing experiences related to devoting happiness as an approach of government work, where the launch of this Coalition follows the success of the Global Happiness Dialogue, which took place during the 5th edition of the World Government Summit.
The joint declaration The Global Happiness Coalition aims to ensure effective international dialogue about achieving happiness on global level, disseminate knowledge and exchange information and expertise about the implementation of related policies between member countries. The Coalition will hold an annual meeting on the sideline of the WGS to review achievements and exchange ideas that may help coalition members improve policies and programmes to ensure sustainability of happiness.
Sheikh Mohammed said that the world needs new form of coalitions that work for the wellbeing and happiness of people. “The Global Happiness Coalition reflects the message where the UAE aspirations meet with ambitions of different nations around the world, towards creating a better future for everyone. It is time to join efforts as governments to come up with new approaches and mechanisms to achieve people’s happiness and improve their quality of life.
“We perceive people’s happiness as a benchmark for government efficiency and important indicator in assessing its policies and programmes. It is also a common objective where both government and private sectors collaborate to achieve,” Sheikh Mohammed said.
“This coalition is an opportunity for its members to exchange ideas and expertise, and to learn from our experiences, as well as to showcase the UAE’s vision regarding the importance of happiness as the ultimate goal for any government,” His Highness explained.
Sheikh Mohammed said that investment in happiness promotes security, peace and coexistence between nations. “Happiness is the opposite of hatred and extremism. We look forward the “Global Happiness Coalition” will lay foundation for a positive transformation in the world,” Sheikh Mohammed said.