Mohammed bin Rashid: our future is one of endless possibility

Sheikh Mohammed used his National Day address to warn against complacency after the hard-won Expo success, which he called a shining example of the country’s accelerated growth on the global map.

DUBAI // The UAE's 42nd year will be remembered for its victory in the race to host World Expo 2020 and for its economic progress, says Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid.

But Sheikh Mohammed, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, also used his National Day address to warn against complacency after the hard-won Expo success, which he called a shining example of the country’s accelerated growth on the global map.

Everyone must redouble their efforts as “every peak overlooks the next”, he said.

“As [President] Sheikh Khalifa affirmed, our joy in the UAE was doubled by the win as it coincides with the celebrations of the 42nd National Day,” Sheikh Mohammed said.

“This success was the culmination of a series of successes and great achievements the UAE has been incessantly making since its establishment 42 years ago, to remain in the lead in all fields.”

He paid tribute to the country’s forefathers and congratulated Sheikh Khalifa for his work in ensuring the UAE’s meteoric progress, saying the country can look to the future with confidence and optimism.

“We stand on solid ground,” Sheikh Mohammed said. “Our people are enjoying the fruits of development and becoming an essential part of it.

“Our country is enjoying respect and making a strong presence in international arenas and becoming an icon for determination for success.

“Our economy continues to flourish, registering the highest growth rates in the region and counted among the best performing in the world.

“The Government’s budget for 2011 to 2013, made a big success, leading to marked improvements in the use of resources and development of government performance.

“The three-year 2013 to 2016 budget, with a 15 per cent increase, was issued and half of its expenses have been allocated for social benefits to citizens, and human development programmes being the main pillar for the government’s policies, plans, strategies and initiatives.”

The country’s success, Sheikh Mohammed said, had been the product of the leadership’s strong vision, planning and keen interest in serving the country and its citizens.

“It is a result of continuous interaction among different generations and the unique relation of trust and allegiance between the people and their leader,” he said.

“Our success is complemented by our optimistic forward-looking yearning for excellence, encouraging innovation and believing that failure is just another experience in life and a good lesson for the next attempt.”

Sheikh Mohammed said the achievements over the past 12 months should only make the UAE leaders and citizens work harder to further the country’s success.

“As proud as we are, we are not going to be intoxicated by these successes,” he said. “They are, in fact, an alarm for us to continue shouldering our responsibilities and a call for us to rally our efforts and to move on with our task of achieving further progress to our country.

“We have a lot to accomplish and we have no excuse for any delays or poor performance. We have what it takes to achieve as we are blessed with rich resources, capabilities, expertise, positive energy, thirst for knowledge, dedication and above all, the leadership’s unlimited support.

“Every peak we reach overlooks the next. This is the recipe for success and advancement.”