Where there was thirst, sweet water has been flowing; where there was painful paucity, delicious dishes have become a regular affair; where there were unimpressive houses, picture postcard dwellings have been blissfully mushrooming; where there were make-do clinics, first-rate hospitals are being set up; where there were namesake institutions, world class universities have been developing; where there were old-style markets, malls have been blossoming.

And this life-changing growth has been possible because of an Emirati leadership that has a heart of gold and displays an incredible sense of generosity, sense of understanding, sense of sympathy, sense of patience and sense of tolerance. The leadership was groomed under the founding father and the first President of the UAE, Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan. He was a powerhouse of wisdom, a quality he passed onto his son and successor Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed.

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Deeply armed with the belief that chains of iron can break but never threads of ethics, the UAE functionaries grew from strength to strength under Sheikh Khalifa

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Sheikh Khalifa, who left the mortal world on May 13, said his lessons in statecraft came from Sheikh Zayed.

His candid admission is reflected in the development of the UAE during his tenure.


Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

The country achieved a lot under the rule of late Sheikh Khalifa, including being ranked among the top 10 globally in 20 key indicators of global competitiveness related to the energy and infrastructure sector for the year 2021, according to reports issued by a number of major international institutions concerned with global competitiveness.

Owing to the vision of Sheikh Khalifa, the UAE rapidly progressed in the areas of infrastructure and housing. The Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure focussed on nationwide development by implementing leading projects worth over Dhs40 billion. Among the notable achievements during the era of the late Sheikh Khalifa were the establishment, completion and upgrading of more than 230 public schools, and the development of a world-class system of hospitals and 32 federal government health facilities.

His focus was all-embracing. He took care of the ordinary fishermen by establishing more than 24 fishing ports.

Deeply armed with the belief that chains of iron can break but never threads of ethics, the UAE functionaries grew from strength to strength under Sheikh Khalifa. Their unquestionable willingness to promote and protect the interests of residents bore fruit in just a few years.

The country’s contribution to the world family has been very well recognised.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) has adopted December 2 as World Futures Day to coincide with the National Day of the UAE.

World Future’s Day, which will take place on this date every year, is an invitation to the countries of the world to embrace the future and develop their capabilities in the fields of foresight, readiness and proactive policy-making to ensure sustainable development for future generations.

Well, we are certain his brother and the new President, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed, will continue the nation’s unstoppable march.