Some of the UAE’s top stories from 2022 (and a few you might have missed)

From the country's new president to a building that reshaped Dubai's skyline, it has been a big year for the Emirates

The President, Sheikh Mohamed, addresses the UAE. The landmark speech in July set out his vision for the country. It came two months after the Supreme Council elected him President, following the death of Sheikh Khalifa. Photo: Presidential Court

The President, Sheikh Mohamed, with French President, Emmanuel Macron, at the Versailles Grand Trianon in Versailles, during Sheikh Mohamed's visit to France in July. It was his first official trip abroad as President. Photo: Presidential Court

Sheikh Mohamed attends a reception at the Army Museum in Paris during the trip. Photo: Presidential Court

The UAE made major changes to its visa rules this year. Wam

A new 60-day tourist visa was part of the overhaul. Christopher Pike / Bloomberg

The Museum of the Future opened on February 22 in Dubai. Photo: Dubai Future Foundation via Reuters

The museum, with its striking calligraphy-inscribed facade featuring quotes from Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, represents a new type of architecture for Dubai. Kamran Jebreili / AP Photo

Shaun Killa, the architect of the museum, with a model of the museum at his offices in Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National

The museum envisions what the world might look like years from now. Ali Haider / EPA

Floods hit the UAE's east coast in July. An aerial photograph of Fujairah outlined the extent of the damage. Photo: Fujairah Media Office

Some residents were severely affected. Abdelbasit Hassan's home was flooded. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

The floods prompted a big relief response from authorities. Takatof, community service group volunteers, helped sweep the debris away after the waters receded in Fujairah. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Another key event in 2022 was the effective end of Covid-19 rules. Signs were then removed across the country in malls, including Times Square Centre in Dubai, above. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The need for regular PCR tests, such as this drive-through centre in Rabdan, Abu Dhabi, has now been mostly dispensed with. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Signs reminding people to wear a mask, such as this one at the Swiss International Scientific School in Dubai, have been removed in most places. Chris Whiteoak / The National

An Etihad Rail train passing through Abu Dhabi emirate. In 2022, we learned more about the planned passenger service, with Etihad Rail stating the first passenger station will be built in Fujairah. A launch date for the passenger service has not been announced. Photo: Etihad Rail

The Etihad Rail track. About 70 per cent of the line has been completed, the operator says. Victor Besa / The National

Construction of the Etihad Rail railway in Fujairah. The line will connect communities across the UAE. Photo: Etihad Rail

It has been one of the most significant years for the UAE in recent memory.

First and foremost, a new president took the reins. Sheikh Mohamed was elected in May after the death of his brother, Sheikh Khalifa.

Other developments, such as changes to the working week and a major overhaul to the country’s visa system, helped to make 2022 a notable year. Here are some of the major moments:

The new President

Sheikh Mohamed became president of the UAE in May after the death of Sheikh Khalifa. Sheikh Khalifa had been president since 2004, when Sheikh Zayed died. Sheikh Khalifa oversaw vast economic growth during his tenure. As a mark of his leadership, leaders from across the world came to the UAE to offer condolences.

After a 40-day mourning period, President Sheikh Mohamed addressed the nation in July and set out his vision. He said the UAE would continue to champion peace and stability, maintain its commitment to diversification; scale up the pursuit of science and technology; continue to be a friend to those in need; and said the contributions of the 200 nationalities who call the UAE their second home were much valued.

A new working week

Residents started the year with an entirely new way of working. From January, employees across the country started working Monday to Friday after years of working Sunday to Thursday.

This followed a previous switch in 2006 when the weekend moved in the UAE from Thursday and Friday to Friday and Saturday.

The government said it made the change to better align the UAE with global markets. This made the country among the first to cut the work-week to 4.5 days, with government offices working a half day on Fridays. Sharjah even shortened its working week to four days for public sector staff.

Museum of the Future on Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai. AFP

Museum of the Future reshapes Dubai's skyline

There is one certainty about Dubai’s skyline: change. But one structure that opened to the public in 2022 really has reshaped and re-energised the city’s architecture.

Museum of the Future welcomed visitors for the first time in February. Its design, using the oval and the void ― the hole through the middle ― and calligraphy across its facade, has captivated residents and tourists. Scores of people can be seen every day snapping photos of the museum.

“I love buildings with shapes that feel that they move,” Shaun Killa, the building’s architect, told The National. “The building looks like it wants to move down the Sheikh Zayed Road."

Summer floods hit the east

The UAE’s east coast was swamped by torrential rain and floods in July. The floodwater inundated roads, shops and homes.

At least seven died and close to 1,000 people were rescued after flash floods. Almost 4,000 were placed in temporary shelters in Sharjah and Fujairah.

The National Centre of Meteorology said it was the wettest July in decades.

Upturned trees, buckled lampposts, scores of abandoned cars caught in the surging floodwater and huge pools of water were visible across Fujairah city.

Covid-19 signs, such as these above, no longer appear in most UAE malls. Reuters

The end of Covid-19 rules

More than two years after coronavirus swept across the world, the UAE last month effectively ended most Covid-19 restrictions.

Back in 2020, who could have predicted how the world would be upturned by stay-at-home orders, working from home and travel curbs? But the UAE’s swift introduction of vaccines and safety measures guided the Emirates through the pandemic better than most countries.

And by last month, the days of Hosn green status to allow entry to shopping centres, temperature checks at airports and PCR tests for travel became a thing of the past, for now.

Overhaul of the visa system

Major changes to the UAE’s visa regulations came into effect in September. They included extended visit visas for tourists and long-term residency options for sought-after professionals and investors.

People who enter as visitors will be able to stay for 60 days, rather than 30 days at present. Parents can sponsor their male children until the age of 25, up from 18, allowing them to remain in the UAE after school and university.

Children with disabilities are granted a residence permit permanently, regardless of their age. The changes included the introduction of a job exploration entry visa for young talents and skilled professionals. In addition to the regular tourist visa, a five-year, multi-entry tourist visa was introduced.

These changes aim to make the UAE an even better place to live.

A rendering of a train to be used on the UAE’s new passenger rail service. All Photos: Etihad Rail

Passenger cabins are spacious, allowing people to travel in comfort.

The commercial benefits of moving cargo meant the initial focus was on freight.

Now the focus has turned to the passenger network.

The service will offer a reliable, safe, efficient, comfortable and environmentally friendly way to travel across the region.

Etihad Rail is working closely with the Federal Transport Authority and transport authorities throughout the country to develop existing networks to improve passenger connections.

Eventually, population centres across the UAE will be connected to neighbouring GCC countries.

Passenger carriages will feature sleek, well-equipped cabins.

Work on Etihad Rail began in 2009.

Greenhouse gases will be slashed by more than 2.2 million tonnes a year once the network is fully operational.

The new passenger rail service is expected to significantly reduce road congestion and the number of traffic accidents.

All aboard: Etihad Rail forges ahead

The UAE’s rail network made huge advancements this year. The passenger element that will connect people across the country is one of the most eagerly anticipated transport projects in the UAE’s history.

In January, we caught a glimpse of what the passenger carriages would look like. Trains will travel at speeds up to 200kph and can carry about 400 people, linking 11 cities and areas across the UAE from Al Sila in the west to Fujairah in the east.

More than 70 per cent of the track is complete, Etihad Rail said, and in March The National was afforded a rare chance to travel on the line. We travelled parallel to Emirates Road (E611) with the lorries, buses and cars on the busy motorway appearing like dots in the distance.

Throughout the year, the operator shared striking photographs of the line under construction, including several stunning shots showing the rail lines cutting through the Hajar Mountains en route way to Fujairah.

Etihad Rail said the first passenger station would be built in Fujairah and residents can look forward to more news about the line next year.