Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum raises the UAE flag at Al Wasl Plaza in Expo 2020 Dubai on Wednesday.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, on Wednesday hoisted the UAE flag at Expo 2020 Dubai’s Al Wasl Plaza.

His Highness was accompanied by Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, Sheikh Ahmed Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Media Council,. Sheikh Mansour Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

The flag hoisting ceremony was held to mark UAE Flag Day, observed on Nov.3 of every year. The UAE Flag Day marks the anniversary of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s assumption of office as the President of the country.

Hundreds of students from public and private schools and trainees from the Dubai Police Academy, as well a number of senior citizens took part in the celebration at the Expo 2020 Dubai venue to express their allegiance and love for their homeland.

Speaking on the occasion, Sheikh Mohammed said, "We have chosen to celebrate UAE Flag Day at a place that brings the world together to achieve the goal of creating a better future for humanity. On this occasion, we reaffirm our commitment to realising the values on which the Union was founded and building bridges of cooperation with nations across the world to shape a better future for the planet."
Sheikh Mohammed with his sons during the ceremony at Expo 2020.

The UAE Flag has been a witness to 50 years of achievements and a comprehensive development process initiated by the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, His Highness said. These ideals have continued to inspire the UAE’s progress under the leadership of Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and Their Highnesses Members of the Supreme Council and Rulers of the Emirates. The UAE flag will continue to be a symbol of the determination of UAE citizens to lead, excel, and create solid foundations for the future, His Highness added.

Sheikh Mohammed noted that the UAE Flag Day celebrations are taking place at a time when the country is poised to enter a new phase of growth and success after its remarkable recovery from the global pandemic that proved its resilience and ability to overcome any challenge.

Sheikh Mohammed during the flag hoisting ceremony at Expo 2020 Dubai.

At the end of the ceremony, His Highness stressed the importance of honouring the UAE Flag and instilling the values of loyalty among younger generations at an early stage.

Earlier during the day, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, paid tribute to the national symbol.

“Fifty years ago, a historic design competition was held to choose the flag that would represent our country on the world stage. On the occasion of Flag Day, the UAE flag is flown with pride across each of the seven Emirates in an enduring display of national unity,” he posted on his Twitter account.

Her Highness Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women's Union (GWU), President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation (FDF), and the "Mother of the Nation," congratulated the UAE leadership and people on the occasion of the UAE Flag Day, which is observed on Nov.3 (today) and coincides with the anniversary of the accession of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan to power.

Marking the occasion, Sheikha Fatima said, "As the UAE celebrates the Flag Day, we proudly recall the UAE's Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who dedicated his life and made all efforts to keep the UAE's Flag flying high, leaving an inspiring legacy etched in the mind of the UAE people, coupled with noble values and our national identity. On this day, we celebrate a special occasion, through which we highlight the principles of unity, solidarity and belonging to our beloved homeland, taking pride in our cultural heritage, our tolerance, and our keenness to adopt an approach of cooperation and joint action to achieve progress in all fields.