Construction of the Etihad Rail railway in Fujairah. The line will connect communities across the UAE. Photo: Etihad Rail
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/EDTUDI7F5NGYJHOLPKNG5KCDMU.jpg?smart=true&auth=615c6c15cd71e27438ac7b82f04d9305cf24a00ea75a7f247953614436f4e7d8&width=400&height=225)
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
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/M2ECAA2HA5FZFNXKOTXGU2S4NA.jpg?smart=true&auth=d690054fba3fe3eb0a15f769dee9bb8e2b7d20e9618610263f24545388120165&width=400&height=225)
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
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VBGM7YVGCRBL5FYEIGQBRELYLE.jpg?smart=true&auth=305bc943efab0b544dc1991029a7aeb054492715b9f2063ace1222a7c07bd148&width=400&height=225)
Sheikh Mohamed attends a reception at the Army Museum in Paris during the trip. Photo: Presidential Court
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MGOZP5YGT54DBYCEF3PW5IJQHM.jpg?smart=true&auth=3b5a0707b6ce964332bedf01589b709545fad961d4e1736d0c19fcc2891419b4&width=400&height=225)
The UAE made major changes to its visa rules this year. Wam
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3WW2C34AWBCIXQF5MMS73LKG44.jpg?smart=true&auth=b4ac18c306471466f433d5cf43d47163618bce7c4f83f9a4fe0fc954b582cc68&width=400&height=225)
A new 60-day tourist visa was part of the overhaul. Christopher Pike / Bloomberg
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/H4WAIOWE5GNO2NV764OOIEFXQA.jpg?smart=true&auth=e7acd4643e29171d319f28cc83c7fa6b0143e59e0d1a349a808362600f9558af&width=400&height=225)
The Museum of the Future opened on February 22 in Dubai. Photo: Dubai Future Foundation via Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LAD7SATQEFJS5VTUN2KWVYTKIY.jpg?smart=true&auth=d509a602f646ac1b28b9cc1679f060e1523f94f3ffd5af19b882189bec53d22b&width=400&height=225)
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
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OTPRUTNT4VF33KEVB4E7HXGCSQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=f93ac5e0261f41d16bebd5f710f4a4df0777275fb97e8387303571c0d85a0338&width=400&height=225)
Shaun Killa, the architect of the museum, with a model of the museum at his offices in Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MA5MKCICYPKXEI53NUMTHGZI3E.jpg?smart=true&auth=91e2f087f52a15487830552ebf3e3d7d86c83753329a761e9039c1d04a7a4eb0&width=400&height=225)
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
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/AAG4R7FB2RAG5OC2H4MIU7EFUA.jpg?smart=true&auth=de66173fbdba86a71ba25ca3ddd00ea18ddc8cc4991a7fda29637c39ec0cc4b8&width=400&height=225)
Some residents were severely affected. Abdelbasit Hassan's home was flooded. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DGPBFKYLLRFMNPZDFUW2TWYNDE.jpg?smart=true&auth=dc0b96c1399537baf863355bdbd4dfcf436562fad8cdee1784f833543c5c3c35&width=400&height=225)
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
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2XDNWXIWEBCU5NKHIVNX3SAKLA.jpg?smart=true&auth=5691e4d3d522becd60399f1b7e48f27dc341d32753af0163810650a57fc03c23&width=400&height=225)
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
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HAEQKHV2DBDCLPKMBACEJFOHJE.jpg?smart=true&auth=6f9871afce81cc0283523a6c1d42d58667765e0b7614640c7c796297fa3fb323&width=400&height=225)
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
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/22JMDEOEQBFFVFLZEPSDD4TGSY.jpg?smart=true&auth=0f11f57bb1656201a4c112d4449e886bdbe860095d8f5112a46124d10a8373ad&width=400&height=225)
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
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/EDTUDI7F5NGYJHOLPKNG5KCDMU.jpg?smart=true&auth=615c6c15cd71e27438ac7b82f04d9305cf24a00ea75a7f247953614436f4e7d8&width=400&height=225)
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
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/M2ECAA2HA5FZFNXKOTXGU2S4NA.jpg?smart=true&auth=d690054fba3fe3eb0a15f769dee9bb8e2b7d20e9618610263f24545388120165&width=400&height=225)
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
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VBGM7YVGCRBL5FYEIGQBRELYLE.jpg?smart=true&auth=305bc943efab0b544dc1991029a7aeb054492715b9f2063ace1222a7c07bd148&width=400&height=225)
Sheikh Mohamed attends a reception at the Army Museum in Paris during the trip. Photo: Presidential Court
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MGOZP5YGT54DBYCEF3PW5IJQHM.jpg?smart=true&auth=3b5a0707b6ce964332bedf01589b709545fad961d4e1736d0c19fcc2891419b4&width=400&height=225)
The UAE made major changes to its visa rules this year. Wam
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3WW2C34AWBCIXQF5MMS73LKG44.jpg?smart=true&auth=b4ac18c306471466f433d5cf43d47163618bce7c4f83f9a4fe0fc954b582cc68&width=400&height=225)
A new 60-day tourist visa was part of the overhaul. Christopher Pike / Bloomberg
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/H4WAIOWE5GNO2NV764OOIEFXQA.jpg?smart=true&auth=e7acd4643e29171d319f28cc83c7fa6b0143e59e0d1a349a808362600f9558af&width=400&height=225)
The Museum of the Future opened on February 22 in Dubai. Photo: Dubai Future Foundation via Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LAD7SATQEFJS5VTUN2KWVYTKIY.jpg?smart=true&auth=d509a602f646ac1b28b9cc1679f060e1523f94f3ffd5af19b882189bec53d22b&width=400&height=225)
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
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OTPRUTNT4VF33KEVB4E7HXGCSQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=f93ac5e0261f41d16bebd5f710f4a4df0777275fb97e8387303571c0d85a0338&width=400&height=225)
Shaun Killa, the architect of the museum, with a model of the museum at his offices in Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MA5MKCICYPKXEI53NUMTHGZI3E.jpg?smart=true&auth=91e2f087f52a15487830552ebf3e3d7d86c83753329a761e9039c1d04a7a4eb0&width=400&height=225)
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
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/AAG4R7FB2RAG5OC2H4MIU7EFUA.jpg?smart=true&auth=de66173fbdba86a71ba25ca3ddd00ea18ddc8cc4991a7fda29637c39ec0cc4b8&width=400&height=225)
Some residents were severely affected. Abdelbasit Hassan's home was flooded. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DGPBFKYLLRFMNPZDFUW2TWYNDE.jpg?smart=true&auth=dc0b96c1399537baf863355bdbd4dfcf436562fad8cdee1784f833543c5c3c35&width=400&height=225)
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
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2XDNWXIWEBCU5NKHIVNX3SAKLA.jpg?smart=true&auth=5691e4d3d522becd60399f1b7e48f27dc341d32753af0163810650a57fc03c23&width=400&height=225)
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
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HAEQKHV2DBDCLPKMBACEJFOHJE.jpg?smart=true&auth=6f9871afce81cc0283523a6c1d42d58667765e0b7614640c7c796297fa3fb323&width=400&height=225)
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
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/22JMDEOEQBFFVFLZEPSDD4TGSY.jpg?smart=true&auth=0f11f57bb1656201a4c112d4449e886bdbe860095d8f5112a46124d10a8373ad&width=400&height=225)
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
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
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The National
19 December, 2022
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