WATCH: the UAE's foray into art, space and taxes

A Cabinet reshuffle, museum opening and journey into space were just some of the developments that took place in the UAE in 2017

2017 was another huge year of growth for the UAE. One of the biggest milestones this year was the much anticipated opening of Louvre Abu Dhabi, the first universal museum of the Arab world.

Ten years in the making, the museum opened on November 11 to much fanfare and three days of celebration.

Moving upwards, much further upwards, this year was also monumental for the UAE's journey into space. At the UAE Government Centennial meeting, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, announced Mars Scientific City. The Dh500 million project will cover 1.9 million square feet and simulate conditions for human settlement on Mars. Sheikh Mohammed also called on young locals to apply for the UAE Astronaut Programme which will send the first four Emiratis into space.

Back on earth, the UAE became the first country to appoint a Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence after a Cabinet reshuffle in October. Nine of the 31 ministerial positions are now held by women, making the country more gender equal than US president Donald Trump's cabinet.

In Dubai, lightning struck twice in the same place when on August 4 a fire broke out at the Torch Tower, two years after a blaze tore through the high-rise building.

The fire, which started with a recklessly tossed cigarette, temporarily displaced hundreds of residents and re-ignited a debate on flammable cladding and the UAE fire safety code.

And finally, for the first time in UAE, a law on excise taxes doubled the prices of tobacco products and energy drinks while increasing the price of fizzy drinks by 50 per cent, after the law took effect on October 1. Officials said the tax would help discourage bad habits while diversifying the Government's revenue streams.

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Year in Review:

Best images of the Year

1. SEAGULLS: A Sharjah fisherman and boat owner waits for the day's catch to come ashore near Sharjah's corniche in November 2017. Pawan Singh / The National

2. SHREK: A little girl is taken aback by the Shrek fountain at the DreamWorks zone at Motiongate in Dubai. Reem Mohammed / The National

3. SKELETON: Someone you know? A pupil at Repton School Dubai looks at an exhibit during the celebration of the school's 10th anniversary in October 2017. Chris Whiteoak / The National

4. STREET ART: Street art at December 2 Street, Al Satwa in Dubai, in May 2017, after the Ruler decided to turn the entire city into an art museum. Christopher Pike / The National

5. CROWD: The King is here ... the crowd who met Bollywood superstars Shah Rukh Khan and Anushka Sharma at Abu Dhabi's Dalma Mall in July 2017. Antonie Robertson / The National

6. MOSQUE: Tourists walk past the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi on the eve of Eid Al Adha in August 2017. Christopher Pike / The National

7. EID AL ADHA: Bright patches of colour punctuate Abu Dhabi's Corniche Road to mark Eid Al Adha in August 2017. Antonie Robertson / The National

8. DOTS: Young Thai expatriate Thanita Denkaew in the Dots Obsession installation by artist Yayoi Kusama at the Sharjah Art Foundation in January 2017. Christopher Pike / The National

9. FISH: The life aquatic ... a guest listens to Mike Tyson speak at Ossiano restaurant at Atlantis, The Palm in Dubai in May 2017. Pawan Singh / The National

10. NET: Elite athletes tackle the A-frame cargo net in the XDubai Spartan Race at Al Ghazal Golf Club, Abu Dhabi, in September 2017. Ravindranath K / The National

11. LOUVRE ABU DHABI: French artist M performs under the magnificent canopy of the Louvre Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island, on opening day in November 2017. Christopher Pike / The National

12. PLANES: An Etihad Airways A380 and the UAE's precision flying team Al Fursan thrill at the Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in November 2017. Christopher Pike / The National

13. BALLOONS: Balloons in the colours of the UAE flag are launched into the Fujairah skies as part of the emirate's National day celebrations. Reem Mohamed / The National

14. SKYLINE: A man relaxes with a coffee and his smartphone in front of the Abu Dhabi skyline. Christopher Pike / The National

15. BOAT: The Sharjah skyline lights are reflected on the Al Khan Lagoon on a humid September night. Antonie Robertson / The National