Every week, The National looks at the people and politics of the UAE, as the country steps more confidently forward on the world stage.
June 4
Hamdan bin Mohammed issues decree on Iacad
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, issued a resolution on the structure and operation of the Dubai Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department.
Sharjah Ruler opens university art exhibit
Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah and President of the University of Sharjah, opened an exhibition showcasing works by graduates of the university’s college of fine arts and design. The university’s chancellor and the acting dean of the fine arts college attended, along with other officials and faculty members. Dr Sheikh Sultan toured the exhibition, which featured fine arts, fashion and textiles, interior and graphic design.
UAE Economy Minister meets Latvian minister
Investment and an increase in trade volumes were discussed at a meeting between Sultan Al Mansouri, Minister of Economy, and Latvian foreign minister Edgars Rinkevics in the capital. Trade between the countries reached Dh150 million in 2013, Mr Al Mansouri said, who called on Latvian investors to consider opportunities in the UAE. He also suggested the signing of an economic cooperation agreement. The nations agreed to avoid double taxation.
June 5
President and Vice President offer condolences
President Sheikh Khalifa sent a cable of condolence to King Salman bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia on the death of Princess Jawaher bint Abdulaziz. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, sent similar cables, as did the Rulers of Sharjah, Fujairah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain and Ras Al Khaimah.
RAK Ruler attends wedding banquet
Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, attended a dinner banquet hosted by Ahmed Rashid bin Ahmed Al Malik to celebrate the wedding of his son, Faham, to the daughter of Salem Mohammed Al Mahboubi Al Shihi, it was announced. Also present were Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development, senior officials and dignitaries.
June 6
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid meets Queen Elizabeth
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, met Queen Elizabeth on the sidelines of the Epsom Derby horse race in Surrey, England.
Hazza visits arms manufacturer
Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed, National Security Adviser and Deputy Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council, toured Caracal International, the UAE’s first national manufacturer of firearms, rifles and other light weapons, to acquaint himself with the latest technological developments in arms production, and development plans for the sector.
June 7
Ajman Ruler reviews hospital project
Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Ruler of Ajman, met the president of Saudi-German Group about the designs and development of the Saudi-German Hospitals Medical City project, which is to come up in Ajman. The project is expected to include six specialised hospitals. Sheikh Humaid said the project would cater to the healthcare needs of the emirate’s growing population, and serve the needs of citizens and residents in the wider UAE. He attributed the UAE’s attractiveness in the healthcare sector to the country’s wise leadership.
Saif bin Zayed meets ambassadors
Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, met the U S and Slovak ambassadors in separate meetings. Senior police officials also attended the meetings with ambassador Barbara Leaf of the US, and ambassador Dusan Horniak of Slovakia. Later in the week, Sheikh Saif met the French ambassador, Michel Miraillet, and the Chinese ambassador, Chang Hua. Maj Gen Nasser Al Nuaimi, secretary general of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister, also attended the meetings.
Fujairah Crown Prince honours welfare association
Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah, honoured Saeed Al Raqbani, the chairman of the Fujairah Welfare Association, and members of its board of directors for their efforts in charitable and humanitarian work, as well as development projects in the emirate. He praised the association’s efforts towards supporting underprivileged families in the educational and services fields, as well as giving care to orphans. Mr Al Raqbani thanked Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad for the honour.
Nahyan bin Zayed wins GCC humanitarian works award
The GCC has given its Humanitarian Work Award to Sheikh Nahyan bin Zayed, Chairman of the Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation Board of Trustees. Other officials from Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and Oman were also honoured. Dr Sheikh Abdulaziz Al Nuaimi, adviser on environmental affairs to the Ajman government and secretary general of Al Ihsan Charity Society, won an award for distinguished non-government organisations.
June 8
Minister of Economy leads UAE mission to South Africa
A UAE trade and investment mission to South Africa was led by Sultan Al Mansouri, Minister of Economy. The mission is part of the ministry’s efforts to develop ties with South Africa, and included meetings with senior government officials and leaders of major companies. Total foreign trade between the countries was about Dh2.8 billion last year, a growth of 10.6 per cent on the previous year, Mr Al Mansouri said.
UAE Chief of Staff takes part in anti-ISIL conference
Lt Gen Hamad Al Rumaithi, Armed Forces Chief of Staff, attended a conference involving chiefs from member countries of the global coalition to counter ISIL and terrorism. Chiefs from 29 countries took part in the conference, hosted by the general staff command of the Qatari armed forces. The two-day conference was aimed at exchanging views on the region’s fast-paced developments to create measures towards regional and international security.
June 9
Sultan Al Qasimi meets delegation of Lebanese poets
Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah, met a delegation of Lebanese poets at the office of the Ruler, as part of his efforts to support and meet intellectuals and poets from the Arab world. He spoke about cultural projects launched by Sharjah and festivals such as the Sharjah Arabic Poetry Festival and Arab Popular Poetry Festival. Some of the poets expressed admiration for Sharjah as a cultural and intellectual centre.
June 10
Saif bin Zayed attends signing of agreement
Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, attended the signing of an agreement at the Abu Dhabi Police General Headquarters. The agreement between the Ministry of Interior Child Protection Centre and Abu Dhabi Education Council was an effort to help protect schoolchildren from abuse, through the development of programmes, policies and a system for reporting suspected neglect or exploitation.
UAE leadership congratulates Azerbaijan premier
President Sheikh Khalifa sent a congratulatory cable to Ilham Aliyev, the president of Azerbaijan, on his country’s national day. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, also sent cables to Mr Aliyev.
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