From a young age Sheikh Khalifa has led from the front
Since succeeding the late Sheikh Zayed, the UAE's founding father, as President in November 2004, Sheikh Khalifa has brought his long experience at senior levels of leadership to bear in charting the modernisation of the seven-emirate federation and ensuring its continued relevance both within the region and beyond.
His presence on the Forbes list of the world's 50 most influential figures underlines how important the UAE now is on the global stage, and how important his personal efforts have been in consolidating the achievements of his father.
The election of Sheikh Khalifa as President by his fellow members of the Supreme Council of Rulers was the culmination of a career of leadership that began in 1966 when, at the age of 18, he was appointed by Sheikh Zayed as his representative in the Eastern Region of Abu Dhabi and the head of the emirate's courts - a sign of the confidence Sheikh Zayed had in his son early on.
That confidence was repeatedly demonstrated in subsequent years as Sheikh Khalifa was appointed to a series of high-level positions, becoming Crown Prince in 1969 and then in 1971 assuming the role of Deputy Prime Minister in the first Federal Cabinet.
Further senior posts followed, as Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces and then, in 1989, chairman of Abu Dhabi's Supreme Petroleum Council. In that role he was responsible for steering the development of the oil and gas sector that has contributed to the country's economic diversification - always a strong personal interest of Sheikh Zayed.
Elected President for a five-year term on the death of his father and re-elected in 2009, the step up to the top job proved seamless for Sheikh Khalifa, even at a time of regional tension and turmoil in global financial markets.
Central to Sheikh Khalifa's leadership is his belief in the need to bolster the participation of citizens in the nation's governance, to ensure that skills are passed down through the generations.
In domestic terms, he has concentrated efforts on improving education, solidifying the social roots of the country with an emphasis on the integrity of the family unit, and increasing expenditure on infrastructure, health and social affairs.
This means providing for the least fortunate in society. In January last year, Sheikh Khalifa ordered the settlement of defaulting personal loans of 6,830 citizens, worth about Dh2 billion.
In December last year Sheikh Khalifa also issued a decree setting up the Abu Dhabi Housing Authorityto deliver affordable homes to Emiratis.
Mirroring his domestic commitments to promoting development throughout the country, Sheikh Khalifa has also displayed a strong commitment to providing aid for those in need overseas.
Extensive support has been supplied by the UAE to thousands of refugees from the conflict in Syria, flood victims in Pakistan and Afghan civilians ravaged by years of war. Those in need in other countries have benefited, too.
Under Sheikh Khalifa's leadership, the UAE has also achieved success internationally, one highlight being the decision in 2009 to situate the headquarters of the International Renewable Energy Agency, in Abu Dhabi.
Such moves underline the influence and respect that the UAE now enjoys on the global stage. But it also shows another facet of Sheikh Khalifa's presidency, namely an emphasis on renewable energies. This, in a sense, represents a continuation of Sheikh Zayed's well-known focus on the environment.
In that vein, Sheikh Khalifa's decree in December 2009 establishing the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation as the entity in charge of implementing the UAE's nuclear programme represents another milestone for the UAE.
While the UAE now plays an increasing role on the global stage, the focus remains on promoting development and security at home.
An essential part of that has been a plan launched by Sheikh Khalifa to ensure better services and facilities to Emiratis throughout the country, including the building of thousands of houses throughout the northern and eastern areas, investment in water and electricity supply networks and health care.
Guided by the President, that plan, a continuation of a programme that began even before the UAE was established more than 40 years ago, offers Emiratis, and other residents, the prospect of continued progress in the years ahead.
* Wam
