Sheikh Khalifa.

Gulf Today Report

The UAE Ministry of Presidential Affairs announced the passing away of UAE President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Friday.

Sheikh Khalifa was the second president of the UAE. Sheikh Khalifa was 73.

The Ministry of Presidential Affairs condoles the people of the UAE and the Islamic world... on the passing of Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

The foreign legacy:

While emphasising on the need for a restructure home, not just in terms of governance but also in terms of society and nationalism, Sheikh Khalifa continued to ensure that the country pursues an active foreign policy.

— Sheikh Khalifa is a strong supporter of the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). He believes that the success and achievements of this body reflect the depth of understanding reached amongst its leaders.

— Sheikh Khalifa has demonstrated his commitment to build relations with other countries by receiving leaders from countries in Asia, Europe and from other Arab countries as well.

— Sheikh Khalifa also paid visits to Central Asian states, with whom he has shared the idea of developing closer ties ever since they emerged after the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

— Sheikh Khalifa has shown a strong commitment to providing assistance to those in need internationally.

In addition to government aid, the Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation, the third most significant donor of UAE foreign aid, makes an enormous difference to people's lives in over 70 countries around the world.

He has proved to be a generous donor of emergency assistance in times of natural disasters, responding immediately by sending help after events such as the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and the 2005 earthquake that devastated much of northern Pakistan and neighbouring parts of India.