By Rajive Singh
DUBAI: Sharjah is preparing to join Global Network for Age-friendly Cities.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) – of which Sharjah is a member – is a young country, born in 1971. The UAE depends as much as 80% on expatriate workforce up to the age of 60 years, but its indigenous local population is ageing – prompting the need to look after the old.
Sheikh Salem bin Abdul Rahman Al Qasimi, Chairman of Sharjah Ruler’s Office, affirmed that Sharjah has provided the best means of comfort and decent life to all segments of society in general and the aged in particular.
Sheikh Salem was chairing the first meeting of the Supreme Committee for the project, according to Wam.
During the meeting, held at the Ruler’s Court, the committee chose Sheikh Khaled bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Director-General of Sharjah Department of e-Government (DeG), as deputy chairman of the Supreme Committee.
The eight world standards of Age-friendly Cities, the schedule for the implementation of these standards at the level of the Emirate of Sharjah were also discussed during the meeting.
The meeting also dealt with committee’s work mechanism and specialisations as well as forming an executive committee chaired by Afaf Al Marri, Director of the Sharjah Social Services Department (SSSD) and other sub-committees.
Several officials attended the meeting.