Sharjah: H.H. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, and Chairman of Sharjah Executive Council (SEC), presided over the Council's meeting on Tuesday morning at the Ruler's Office. Present at the meeting was H.H. Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and Vice Chairman of SEC.
According to Emirates News Agency, the Council congratulated His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, on the emirate's official declaration as a Baby and Family Friendly city. This announcement is in line with the UAE's declaration of 2026 as the Year of the Family and aims to support children and families throughout Sharjah by creating an enabling environment across its cities, regions, and institutions.
The declaration is a testament to Sharjah's extensive efforts to meet the required standards, such as implementing a family-supportive emirate policy through specialised government entities, applying Executive Human Resources Regulations that consider various family-related aspects, engaging 686 visitors in family-friendly destinations, involving 1,231 parents in nurseries, and 1,422 employees in institutions.
Additionally, the declaration includes various events, festivals, and destinations that offer a safe, supportive environment for children and families. The participation of 91 registered entities in the Baby and Family-Friendly programme, including institutions, nurseries, and accredited destinations, highlights Sharjah's compliance with global standards. The emirate's international recognitions, such as Sharjah Child-Friendly and Sharjah Healthy City, further reinforce these efforts.
The Council deliberated on several agenda items related to the performance of government departments and authorities, plans to enhance services for improved customer experiences, and the advancement of digital transformation in line with Sharjah's vision for sustainable development and excellence across sectors.
The Council's approval of the Sharjah Digital Transformation Strategy 2026-2028 marks a significant step toward digitising and transforming government services. The strategy aims to provide seamless customer experiences, enhance institutional performance, and empower government entities for sustainable digital transformation.
Key objectives of the strategy include establishing secure systems and infrastructure for effective government operations, strengthening cybersecurity resilience, and ensuring data privacy. With more than 50 initiatives planned, the strategy will publish a Digital Cooperation Charter for government entities to clarify roles and responsibilities and ensure collaborative efforts.
To ensure comprehensive governance and unified oversight of digital transformation projects, the strategy includes the establishment of the Higher Committee for Digital Integration. This committee will coordinate among government institutions and accelerate technological integration while enhancing service efficiency.
The Council also approved a reduction in buying and selling fees for transactions at the Sharjah Real Estate Exhibition 'Acres' 2026. The selling fee is set at 0.5 percent for real estate developers, 1 percent for UAE and GCC citizens, 2 percent for freehold purchases by other nationalities, and 1 percent for usufruct purchases by other nationalities.
This decision demonstrates Sharjah's commitment to supporting the real estate sector, stimulating market activity and investment, and enhancing the emirate's appeal to developers and investors.
Furthermore, the Council approved the general organisational structure of the Emiri Guard, supporting its operations and specialised functions. This approval is part of ongoing efforts to develop organisational frameworks across government entities, with the General Secretariat tasked with completing the legislative process.