ABU DHABI, 31st December, 2013 (WAM) -- The U.A.E. has laid the foundation of more outstanding national achievements in all areas, as it continues its blessed federal march under the leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
The country now occupies a prominent place among the best modern advanced countries in the world. These achievements were accomplished as a result of the wise leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, in close collaboration with Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Their Highnesses the Supreme Council Members and Rulers of the Emirates, and His Highness General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the U.A.E. Armed Forces along with other Crown Princes. In addition to the sincere efforts of citizens and their absolute confidence in their leadership, as confirmed by the Global Competitiveness Report 2013-2014 of the World Economic Forum, in which the U.A.E. was ranked third in terms of high confidence in political leadership, among 148 countries in the world. The United Arab Emirates has topped the list of Arab countries and ranked 14th worldwide in the UN's World Happiness and Satisfaction second survey, announced in 2013. The late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan accomplished with wisdom the nation s establishment phase with all its challenges, and took the U.A.E. from zero into an era of progress, raising the nation in record time to be among the ranks of developed countries. His Highness Sheikh Khalifa had previously stressed, on the 33rd anniversary of the U.A.E, that the nation s great achievements, the peace and tranquility the country enjoys today, were the fruit of the long and tedious march, hard work and perseverance led by the U.A.E.'s great leader, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Sheikh Khalifa said the great U.A.E. leader led this country with great wisdom and judiciously tapped the country's resources to achieve a comfortable and decent life for both U.A.E. nationals and expatriates living in this country. Sheikh Khalifa added, "We feel honoured by this anniversary of the blessed federation march. Now, it is a new phase of national work that we embark upon, using the wise approach of the late great leader as our guidance in every step that we take forward and in every element of work that we do. We shall remain committed to working together, shoulder to shoulder with my brother, His Highness. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and my brethren Their Highnesses Members of the Supreme Council and Rulers of the Emirates."Historic leadershipPresident His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan is one of the historical leaders known for giving over 45 years of devoted work in the service of the homeland and the citizens. Sheikh Khalifa gained his rich historical experience from spending his life close to his father, the founder of the state, during the various phases of national work, which he confirmed in an interview in 1990, saying: "My father was the teacher from whom I learnt everything, following his path and being inspired by his adulthood, authentic values and patience."In his speech on the occasion of the 34th National Day, Sheikh Khalifa said, "Considering the developments in our region, which is now witnessing significant transformations and reforms, the years ahead in our blessed march of progress require a bigger role for the Federal National Council by empowering it to be an authority that will provide great support and guidance for the executive arm of the government. We shall work to make the Council more capable, more effective and more sensitive to the issues affecting the nation and the people. This would be done by ensuring a more participatory process and the entrenchment of "Shura" (consultations) policy. Through a gradual, organised course, we have decided to re-energise the role of the FNC by electing half of its members through councils for each emirate and appointing the other half."His Highness Sheikh Khalifa, while receiving FNC Speaker Mohammed Ahmed Al Murr, reiterated his commitment to strengthening the role of the Federal National Council. He also asserted his keenness on supporting the FNC to ensure its active participation in the development of national work, in the building of a state of law and in the consolidation of the Shura approach that will take into account the peculiarities of the customs and traditions of the people of the U.A.E., its heritage and the components of its social and cultural fabric. Future strategyPresident His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan launched the "Future Strategy" in 2007 and the initiative of the "National Identity". He has said that the United Arab Emirates would stay on the course of democracy to ensure greater participation and empowerment in the Federal National Council. "The last year witnessed an important development with regard to political empowerment and the practice of democracy, as the FNC's 14th legislative session has had half of its members elected, with women representing 22% of the total number of FNC members."He continued, "We remain committed to continuing our democratic change until we achieve all planned goals through paving the way for and offering the chance for more participation, and through enhancing the role of the FNC as a legislative and monitoring power."To keep in line with this trend and to support it, His Highness maintained, ''We call for the implementation of a national programme that aims to strengthen our identity and deepen the values of belonging and of citizenship, as well as providing the required conditions in society that reflect our country as an example of an open modern society whose values are consistent with our beliefs and our heritage."Sheikh Khalifa also called for a programme that sets out a clear vision of the objectives of the U.A.E.'s experiment in elections and associated mechanisms, and for an expansion of the authority of the FNC. The President made it clear that shedding light on future strategies and visions does not mean that ''we should overlook the present with its challenges and problems."Development projectPresident Khalifa, in the opening session of the Federal National Council session on February 12, 2007, launched the "Development Project" of the U.A.E. in the framework of the empowerment strategy, a project that embodies the hopes and aspirations of U.A.E's citizens. Sheikh Khalifa called on FNC members to "Give maximum boost to development efforts and take on a positive and advisory role as well as give sound opinion to further drive forward the process of developing and building our country." Sheikh Khalifa further called FNC members to "shoulder their national responsibility, be involved in interaction, to give and preserve the development march established by the U.A.E. Father and Founder, the Late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan."He also expressed appreciation for all former FNC members in the House's previous sessions, affirming his support in all ways to boost this democratic experience and achieve the nation's goals. "The leadership and citizens have faith in you. You are expected to adopt the concerns of the nation and citizens as your top priority, to put public interest and common well-being above any other considerations and to advance giving and development efforts to top levels," Sheikh Khalifa told FNC members. Objectives of the Empowerment ProcessHis Highness Sheikh Khalifa pledged, in his second term, to continue the implementation of ambitious new strategies to promote the political, economic, social and cultural empowerment programmes of development which the he launched in his first term. On another occasion President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan stressed that the leadership and the U.A.E. people are confident to continue steadily and consistently the implementation of what have been adopted in terms of strategies and plans. He added that "The huge achievements attained were not the end in themselves, but the top priority was, and still is, to build national capacity and launch human energy directed toward the horizons of excellence, innovation and competition."Sheikh Khalifa underscored that the transformations experienced by the U.A.E. economy do not come from a vacuum, but through the regulations and standards to establish a new economic model, based on the philosophy and practices of community-based components. "We would like to assure everyone that our country is stronger and better off, since our economy is fine and our society enjoys welfare. The global financial crisis in its severity will not be a reason for hesitation or retreat, not a justification to lead us to despair or inaction."He added, "On this great day, I offer you my sincere congratulations as you celebrate the 38th anniversary of the unification of our country, the Declaration of our Union, and the founding of the nation. On your behalf, I appreciate deeply Their Highnesses the Supreme Council Members and Rulers of the Emirates, who lead the triumphant march to instil the principles of justice, equality and equal opportunities. "It is a great event through which we get inspiration and entertain patriotic meanings and lessons. We evaluate the present process, reflect on the visions of future, derive strength and determination to move in the course and vision outlined by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and his late brothers. They will remain as role models."President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan has stressed that the government was working hard to achieve social development, to improve quality of life and to realise its developmental goals through a comprehensive national vision that aims to provide excellent educational standards, adequate housing and world class healthcare services. "The perfection of work is a necessity of life. It is an essential element to continue the achievements of our forefathers, through which we can build a capable national workforce, restructure our economy, address the imbalance in the labour market and prepare a well-balanced and thriving community. As our nation is bracing for another year of achievements, we assure you that we are moving from strength to strength, and that we are reaping the fruits sowed by our forefathers in terms of best practices, building the nation's institutional and legislative frameworks, enjoying a strong, diversified and free economy, a modern infrastructure, a sustainable social development, enhanced cultural and societal identity and most importantly, preparing capable and skilful human resources. Human resources are the true wealth of nations. Our policy is based on the commitment to the principles of the U.A.E. constitution. We have always advocated unity and solidarity to achieve the ultimate goal of modern and prosperous U.A.E.""In parallel with this effort, the government needs to give special and exceptional attention to the development of remote areas in a way that would guarantee a balance in social and economic development at the national level. Different projects are being implemented there. Various steps have also been taken to establish a rich cultural and social life that promotes equality of rights and duties among citizens and allows them to participate in policy and decision making in full compliance with the norms and laws that are safeguarded by capable law enforcement agencies and a fair judicial system that fosters the respect for people's rights and dignity. "In order to enrich that, a national strategy must be adopted to care for the youth, to encourage sports and to promote youth centres and public libraries, to utilise spare time in useful activities, to develop the skills and to instil the culture of openness and acceptance to others. It is also important to expand cultural activities and to encourage arts, science and intellectual creativeness. We are extremely proud of the achievements made by U.A.E. women who participate vigorously in public life and who are capable of playing more roles. The efforts being made to promote the culture of volunteerism deserve our commendation."moreCopyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2013.
