Sheikh Saif: UAE has shown resilience in face of pandemic and terror attacks

The successful Expo 2020 is a sign of success where other nations may have failed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior says

Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, speaks at the closing session of the World Government Summit at Expo 2020 Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

The UAE has shown its resilience in the face of a global pandemic and recent terrorist attacks, Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, said in his closing speech at the World Government Summit in Dubai.

In his speech, titled “In the Emirates, the impossible is always possible”, Sheikh Saif gave examples of how the UAE had overcome unprecedented challenges to set a new degree of optimism for the future.

“Under the current challenges experience by the world, the UAE launched its 50-year plan and set its 10 principles for the future,” he said.

Terrorism takes every opportunity, it is like a pandemic that attacks the weakest point. It has targeted the UAE, an inhumane and immoral terrorism

Sheikh Saif bin Zayed

“This enabled the UAE to become a state of no impossible, there are so many examples.

“Sheikh Zayed taught us that land serves the people who provide it hope.

“While the world has suffered and other nations have seen plans destroyed, the UAE continues with its achievements and excellence.”

He cited the successful Expo 2020 Dubai as a sign of success where other nations may have failed, given that the world's fair was held at a time when international travel remained restricted for many.

Celebrations of the UAE’s 50th National Day celebrations, last year, were also a milestone in the face of adversity, Sheikh Saif said.

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  Azucena Arbeleche, left, Uruguay’s Minister of Economy and Finance, is presented with the Best Minister award by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National

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  will. i.am, founder and chief executive of FYI, speaking at the World Government Summit in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

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  Delegates chat at the World Government Summit at Dubai Exhibition Centre. Pawan Singh / The National

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  Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, speaks at the event. Pawan Singh / The National

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  The World Government Summit this year is being held at the Expo 2020 Dubai site. Pawan Singh / The National

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  Delegates from many countries have assembled. Pawan Singh / The National

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  Mariam Al Mheiri, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, and Gilbert Houngbo, President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development, speak during a session at the World Government Summit. Pawan Singh / The National

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  Robinah Nabbanja, Prime Minister of Uganda, speaks on ‘The Rise of Africa: Strategies and Dynamics’ at the World Government Summit. Pawan Singh / The National

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  Abdulrahman Al Owais, Minister of Health and Prevention, delivers a speech on ‘The Future Readiness of Health’ at the summit. Antonie Robertson / The National

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  From left, Irakli Beridze, head of the UN’s Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, Iain Drennan, executive director of WeProtect Global Alliance and Dana Humaid Al Marzooqi, general director of the International Affairs Bureau, at the summit. Pawan Singh / The National

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  Brent Harris, vice president of Governance of Meta Platforms Inc speaking during the session on ‘Paving the Way to the Metaverse’ at the World Government Summit. Pawan Singh / The National

High profile international positions taken up by Emiratis, such as Ahmed Nasser Al Raisi's appointment as president of Interpol were other moments of success, as was a space programme that put the first Emirati in space in 2019, Maj Hazza Al Mansouri.

The stand against terrorism also requires a unified approach, Sheikh Saif said, calling the attacks carried out by Yemen's Houthi rebels on the UAE in 2022 a similar threat to stability as the pandemic.

“Terrorism takes every opportunity, it is like a pandemic that attacks the weakest point,” he said.

“What is happening is even more dangerous so we need to be very cautious.

“It has targeted the UAE, an inhumane and immoral terrorism."

The world has become a small village, from the US to China, said Sheikh Saif.

“We will not succeed, all of us, unless we work together and everyone has a position internationally and a specific ability to achieve positive results.”