H.H. Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Fujairah, has praised the directives of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, which declared 2018 as "Year of Zayed," throughout the UAE, to be a national occasion celebrating the life of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

His Highness stressed that the slogan, "The Year of Zayed," is a commitment for all Emiratis to preserve the culture of excellence, enhance their personal performance and improve their leadership skills in all areas of work.

H.H. Sheikh Hamad believes that the life of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, which represents an important period in the history of the UAE, reflects the wisdom that can benefit future generations and inspire the lives of people in all eras and places, based on investing in the community.

He added that the progress of the chosen nation in Sheikh Zayed’s ideology was not only a temporary strategy to achieve temporary goals, but it was a long-term strategy to create a future model of the UAE’s journey of development and prosperity.

"Today, we are proud that we are following in the footsteps of the late Sheikh Zayed, and his strategy to build the nation. We now know that we are a nation of great achievements," he added.

His Highness further stated that the Year of Zayed could be a year of exceptional local and international success, and a year of accomplishing greater achievements and advancing towards wider horizons, as the UAE becomes an increasingly influential nation in the global community and take its place in leading this community.