On its 51st National day, the UAE is a continuous excellence towards the future
by Dr. Bill Mikhael
On the first anniversary after the golden fifties of the Emirates, the observer is pondering over where to start talking about it, as the dream in it has become a reality, and the impossible does not exist in the dictionary of its leaders as well as its people. Scientific, economic, social, and political progress is the hallmark of everyday.
Before diving into dealing with what the Emirates has achieved and what it aspires to without being presumptuous, we must touch on some of the issues that established the present and the future. Yes, the future was a challenge, and with the vision of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who considered the establishment of the union one of his most prominent achievements, the Emirates was on a rendezvous with a great destiny. Where his contemporaries said that the idea of the union grew in his mind for the first time when the British occupation decided to end its presence in the Gulf in 1968, he began working on the unity strategy in collaboration with late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai at that time. Together, they launched a series of meetings that initially resulted in a union between both the Emirates of Dubai and Abu Dhabi in 1968. With persistence, the meetings took place in the presence of each of the rulers of the Emirate of Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Fujairah, and Ras Al Khaimah, in addition to Bahrain and Qatar.
In 1971, Qatar and Bahrain withdrew, while the rulers of the six emirates, namely: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm al-Quwain, and Fujairah, decided on July 18, 1971, to form the United Arab Emirates and set a date for the establishment of the state. As for the emirate of Ras al-Khaimah, it was in a state of hesitation, and the date of the Union Day for the United Arab Emirates was announced on December 2, 1971. The celebration expressed the establishment of an independent and sovereign state. The unified Emirates embraced Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Fujairah, and Umm Al Quwain. Later, Ras Al Khaimah joined the federation of the United Arab Emirates. On February 10, 1972, the composition of the UAE was a seven-state federation.
The story of that union, is in short, a reference to the determination and wisdom of its founding fathers. The union is a force represented by the successes achieved during the first fifty years of its life to continue in future decades. For this reason, the leadership of the Emirates deliberately launched the fifty-year plan for the future, This coincides with the inauguration of the Presidency of Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Therefore, the legacy of wisdom, persistence, and determination goes on. By guiding the Emirates into pioneering many fields, the Emirates had succeeded in achieving great projects.
The Emirates is positioned at the forefront of many countries, having become a global and economic center. It is also a political and tourist destination.
The Emirati Government is able to lay down the foundation stone for the most prominent and innovative sectors that have contributed to the advancement of its nationals. Among them are advanced education and health care policies.
In the economic sectors, and within the framework of its ambitious strategies to raise the standard of living in the country and grant its people decent living confitions, the wise leadership of that great nation has made relentless efforts to enhance the country’s economic performance. The vision of the Emirati leadership looks to the future. The leaders of the Emirates have cultivated a global model of development that utilizes the best of human capabilities.
There is a “brain power” in the Emirates’ success story,
witnessed by her attraction of the super of minds.
In this regard, the UAE has launched the "50 projects" that aim to materialize economic diversification through initiatives and strategies that secure prosperity to everyone living within its borders.
The fifty projects promise the foundation of an advanced stage of internal growth and the ability to attract foreign investments. This makes the UAE an essential investment destination for the influx of foreign capital. The most critical role of these projects is to fulfill the state's vision, and to support its plans for the building of an integrated and diversified economy, not exclusively dependent on oil.
The fifty projects contribute to achieving the strategy of economic creativity. It gradually evolves production into non-oil sectors. It is empowering competencies, and enhancing the capabilities of entrepreneurs, attracting talents and investments, and building global financial partnerships.
Ultimately, to mention the humanitarian initiatives blessed by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed during his tenure as President of the State at the global level, is to be fair in acknowledging how an influential role he had scored in guaranteeing security and peace throughout the whole world. He is the global leader who is spreading the concepts of tolerance and peaceful coexistence between different religions in all societies. He is destined to be the historical leader whose inherited wisdom is attributable to Sheik Zayed. He thd leader who makes a difference maker. His achievements at the regional and global levels are very much appreciated.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Nabil Mikhail taught political science at George Washington University. He holds a doctorate in Foreign Policy from University of Virginia. You can follow him on his YouTube Channel Dr. Nabil Mikhail Channel.