ABU DHABI // The UAE has made several achievements this year under the leadership of the President, Sheikh Khalifa, despite changes and challenges, says Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed.
Sheikh Mohammed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, detailed the advances to an audience at the Sea Palace.
He extended greetings to Arab and Islamic nations on the occasion of the Prophet Mohammed’s birthday and wished the people of the UAE and other countries progress and prosperity next year.
“This year we witnessed tremendous changes, challenges and developments that have had direct and indirect effects on the region and on the UAE,” Sheikh Mohammed said.
“Nevertheless, the UAE was able to make great achievements on the political, economic and social fronts, and scored excellent results in global competitiveness indices. Inspired by our founding fathers and armed with determination and dedication, we will achieve more for the UAE in the future.”
Sacrifices made by heroes who died fighting for their country this year will live forever in the nation’s memory, he said, and their relatives were a shining example of patience, sacrifice and patriotism.
“To every mother, father, wife, son and brother of a martyr we lost, I say, we are all your brothers and we will always be close to you,” said Sheikh Mohammed.
“Thanks to your fortitude we came out stronger, more determined to continue our march and are more coherent.”
Participation in the Saudi-led Operation Restoring Hope in Yemen helped to bolster solidarity and cooperation in facing challenges to regional security.
The drop in oil prices did not stop the country from continuing economic development, thanks to economic diversification policies, Sheikh Mohammed said. The country became a model of social and political representation after the election of Dr Amal Al Qubaisi, the first female Speaker of the FNC, which was a first for the Middle East.
In attendance were: Sheikh Rashid bin Saud Al Mualla, Crown Prince of Umm Al Quwain; Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior; Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Sheikh Hamdan bin Mubarak, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research; Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development; Dr Al Qubaisi; Sheikh Nahyan bin Zayed, Chairman of the Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation; and other notables.
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