UAE President pays tribute to Sheikh Zayed on historic 60th accession anniversary

UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Thursday paid tribute to the nation's Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, on the 60th anniversary of his accession as the Ruler of Abu Dhabi, describing the occasion as a milestone that laid the foundations for the Union and continues to inspire the country's progress.

Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed said on X, "Today marks the 60th anniversary of the accession of the UAE’s Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed, as Ruler of Abu Dhabi on 6 August 1966. On this historic milestone, we recall the beginnings that nurtured our collective journey of progress and laid the foundations of the Union. Inspired by Sheikh Zayed’s leadership and vision, we will continue to advance his enduring belief that people must always be placed at the heart of efforts to build a sustainable and prosperous future for our nation."

Today, the United Arab Emirates commemorates the 60th anniversary of the late Sheikh Zayed assuming the reins of power in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi on August 6, 1966, a historical milestone which formed a turning point in the Emirate's journey and laid the foundations from which the journey of building the Union began.

Sheikh Zayed's assumption of power was not merely a transition of leadership, but rather the beginning of an integrated developmental project which placed people at the top of priorities and made education, health, development, and unity the pillars of a journey that changed the face of the region and paved the way for the establishment of the United Arab Emirates in 1971.

Since that day, an ambitious vision led by Sheikh Zayed was launched, in which he believed that people are the true wealth and that building nations begins with building people.

This vision was translated into developmental plans and projects which contributed to achieving a comprehensive renaissance, the effects of which extended to various sectors and consolidated the foundations of the modern state.

Over six decades, the UAE has continued to follow the path laid down by the Founding Father, until it became a global model in sustainable development, economy, innovation, and quality of life, based on the values of giving, tolerance, and working for humanity.

The 60th anniversary of Sheikh Zayed's assumption of power remains a national occasion which recalls one of the most important milestones in the history of the UAE and embodies the beginning of a journey that has not stopped, and whose fruits remain present in every achievement the UAE attains and in every step it takes toward the future.