The UAE's newly elected President, Sheikh Mohamed, has delivered some memorable and thought-provoking quotes during his time as Abu Dhabi’s Crown Prince.
Sheikh Mohamed became the third president in the UAE's history, after the death of Sheikh Khalifa on Friday, marking the culmination of a life dedicated to public service, first as a soldier and then as a long-serving leader.
Through his work and his words, Sheikh Mohamed has advocated peace, has helped to develop and protect a thriving nation and looked to build a prosperous future for the UAE and those who are less fortunate in the world.
Preparing for a future without oil
Possibly one of Sheikh Mohamed's most famous quotes was the speech delivered at the World Government Summit in 2015 when he spoke about a future without oil.
"Our best bet at this period of time where we have wealth is to invest all our resources in education because there will be a time, 50 years from now, when we load the last barrel of oil aboard the ship," he said.
"The question is, 50 years from now after we have loaded this last barrel of oil, are we going to feel sad? If our investment today is right, I think – dear brothers and sisters – we will celebrate that moment."
In a speech delivered on the UAE's 39th National Day in 2010, Sheikh Mohamed spoke about education being a cornerstone of preparing the country for a future without oil.
"Our reliance upon knowledge and scientific thinking to achieve total development is the only way to bring our nation ahead to the stage of non-oil production, a lesson learnt from nations with little or no natural resources," he said.
Do not worry – this time will pass
When the world was coming to grips with the Covid-19 pandemic, Sheikh Mohamed addressed the nation in March 2020 and sought to reassure citizens and residents that the pandemic would pass and people would eventually be able to return to their normal lives.
He guaranteed them they would not have to worry about food or medical supplies, as other nations grappled with panic buying and empty supermarket shelves.
"I'd like you to keep this in mind, this time shall pass," he said.
"But it requires some patience. We must have a positive outlook during these challenges.
"We must be stronger, we must be healthier, and we must be more advanced ... we must have a positive outlook during these challenges.
"We are not just living for today or tomorrow, we are living to secure the future of our grandchildren, not just our children. This is our duty ... do not worry."
In comments made a few weeks later, Sheikh Mohamed said watching videos of residents singing the UAE national anthem to hail the frontline heroes for their fight against Covid-19 moved him to tears.
“Many residents on social media are singing our national anthem and I want to confess to all viewers that when I heard you, by God, I shed a tear,” he said in a video posted online.
Praise for Abraham Accords
In December, the Washington Institute presented Sheikh Mohamed with its highest honour – the Scholar-Statesman Award – for his leadership in securing peace with Israel in September 2020 and for fostering religious tolerance.
Speaking after receiving the award, Sheikh Mohamed said: "Every decision has risks, undoubtedly. We are also living in a complex region. But the rewards are an incentive, and the outcomes we will achieve together are far greater than the drawbacks.
"When we decided on this step, we were looking forward to a level of co-operation that goes beyond just peace itself. The UAE aspires to a greater peace, one that is for the benefit of all.”
Net-zero challenge – protecting the environment
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President Sheikh Mohamed, who was Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces at the time, at the launch of the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 Strategic Initiative at Expo 2020 Dubai. With him are Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, right, Mariam Al Mheiri, Minister for Climate Change and Environment, left, and Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, chairman of Masdar and chief executive of Adnoc, second left. All photos: Ministry of Presidential Affairs -
A display about the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 Strategic Initiative in the UAE pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai. -
President Sheikh Mohamed, centre, in the UAE pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai. With him are Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, right, Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, second right, Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, fourth right, and Abdullah Al Marri, Minister of Economy, left. -
President Sheikh Mohamed, right, with Dr Sultan Al Jaber and Abdullah Al Marri, left. -
President Sheikh Mohamed, centre, at Expo 2020 Dubai with Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, right, and Dr Sultan Al Jaber. -
President Sheikh Mohamed, front row, third right, with: Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, second right; Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, fourth right; Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, right; Mohamed Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs, fifth right; and Mariam Al Mheiri, Minister for Climate Change and Environment, left. Back row, from right to left: Abdullah Al Marri, Minister of Economy; Suhail bin Mohamed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure; and Reem Al Hashimi, Minister of State for International Co-operation and Director General of Expo 2020 Dubai. -
President Sheikh Mohamed with Mariam Al Mheiri and Suhail bin Mohamed Al Mazrouei.
A committed conservationist, Sheikh Mohamed spoke about protecting the environment at the opening ceremony of the World Future Energy Summit in 2009.
"We have to strike a balance of responsibility between our duty to update other sources of energy, protecting the environment, protecting our environment and ensuring a proper legacy for the next generations," he said.
Four years later, at the inauguration ceremony of Shams 1 – the largest renewable energy project in operation in the Middle East when launched in 2013 – he spoke about the need for research to develop alternative sources of energy.
"The future, with its needs and challenges, calls upon us to embark on a perpetual quest for alternative sources of energy," he said. "This can only be done through the support of relevant scientific research."
The UAE announced in October an ambitious strategic initiative to reduce carbon emissions by 2050, with new investments worth Dh600bn ($163.35bn) planned in clean and renewable energy sources over the next three decades.
“The UAE’s Net Zero 2050 Strategic Initiative announced today is consistent with the longstanding vision of the UAE and its people to make a significant contribution to global sustainability efforts, while supporting economic and human development both at home and around the world,” he said.
Spreading the values of tolerance
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Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, left, presents a gift to Pope Francis during an official reception at the Presidential Palace. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs -
Pope Francis presents a gift to Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed during an official reception at the Presidential Palace. Ryan Carter / Ministry of Presidential Affairs -
A gift of the title-deed to the first church in the UAE was presented to Pope Francis from Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed. Ryan Carter / Ministry of Presidential Affairs -
Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, left, and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed meet with Pope Francis during an official reception at the Presidential Palace. Ryan Carter / Ministry of Presidential Affairs -
Pope Francis signs a guest book during an official reception at the Presidential Palace. Ryan Carter / Ministry of Presidential Affairs -
Pope Francis is welcomed by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed at the Presidential Palace in Abu Dhabi. AFP / Giuseppe Cacace -
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Pope Francis and Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashid stand for a national anthem during a reception at the Presidential Palace. Rashed Al Mansoori / Ministry of Presidential Affairs -
An honour guard salutes the pontiff in the courtyard of the palace. Reuters -
Pope Francis, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid at the welcoming ceremony. Reuters -
Pope Francis, with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, meets other members of the UAE leadership. Reuters -
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashid at the reception for Pope Francis at the Presidential Palace. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs -
Stunt jets perform a stunning display over the Presidential Palace. AFP -
Members of the Vatican delegation stand for a national anthem. Ryan Carter / Ministry of Presidential Affairs -
From right: Major General Essa Saif Al Mazrouei, Deputy Chief of Staff of the UAE Armed Forces; Saif Mohamed Al Hajeri, Chairman of Department of Economic Development, and Abu Dhabi Executive Council Member; Sheikh Abdulla bin Mohamed Al Hamed, Chairman of the Health Department and Abu Dhabi Executive Council Member; Hamad Mohamed Al Hurr Al Suwaidi; Mubarak Rashid Al Mansouri, Governor of the UAE Central Bank; Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, CEO and Managing Director Mubadala, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Affairs Authority and Abu Dhabi Executive Council Member; Jassem Mohamed Bu Ataba Al Zaabi, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Office and Abu Dhabi Executive Council Member; and Dr Ahmed Mubarak Al Mazrouei, Secretary General of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, stand for a national anthem. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs -
Pope Francis walks with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid. Reuters -
The pontiff arrives in a Kia Soul - he is commonly seen in modest, inexpensive transports. Reuters -
Jets spray the skies in the Vatican colours of yellow and white over the Corniche. Reuters -
Members of the honour guard band perform at the arrival ceremony. Reuters -
The Presidential Palace is one of the largest buildings in the city. AFP -
An Emirati honour guard outside the Presidential Palace in the capital Abu Dhabi. AFP -
The flags of the Vatican and the UAE are displayed inside the palace. AFP -
Members of the UAE Armed participate during a reception for Pope Francis at the Presidential Palace. Eissa Al Hammadi for the Ministry of Presidential Affairs
In 2019, Pope Francis completed a historic visit to the UAE as part of the Year of Tolerance.
During the three-day visit, Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of Al Azhar, Dr Ahmed Al Tayeb, signed the Human Fraternity Document, a guide to promoting a culture of mutual respect and dialogue for peaceful coexistence and fraternity among human beings.
Marking the International Day of Human Fraternity in February, Sheikh Mohamed said: "By working together, we can address complex challenges and forge a path towards greater peace and prosperity for the entire world. On this International Day of Human Fraternity, we reaffirm our solemn commitment to advancing tolerance and understanding to build a better future for all."
Eradicating tropical diseases
Sheikh Mohamed, following the footsteps of his father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, has long shown a commitment to the eradication of tropical diseases.
In January last year, after he announced renewed financial support of $10 million to the Carter Centre, following the 30th anniversary of the organisation's partnership with the UAE, he said: "In the UAE, we have seen first-hand the vital link between health and prosperity, and we remain steadfast in our vision of a world where every person deserves to live a healthy, dignified life."
