The year 2015 saw the United Arab Emirates making several achievements under the wise leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, has said.

Addressing an audience at Qasr Al Bahr this evening, Sheikh Mohamed extended greetings to the Arab and Islamic nations on the occasion of Prophet Mohammed's (PBUH) birthday anniversary and wished the people of the UAE and other countries further progress and prosperity in 2016.

"This year, we witnessed tremendous changes, challenges and developments which have had direct and indirect effects on the region and on the UAE," he said.

"Nevertheless," Sheikh Mohamed continued, "the UAE was able to make great achievements on the political, economic and social fronts and scored excellent results in global competitiveness indices. Inspired by our founding fathers and armed with determination and dedication, we will achieve more for the UAE in the future."

Present were H.H. Sheikh Rashid bin Saud bin Rashid Al Mu'alla, Crown Prince of Umm Al Qaiwain, Dr. Amal Abdullah Al Qubaisi, Speaker of the Federal National Council (FNC), H.H. Sheikh Nahyan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation, H.H. Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Minister, Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saif Al Nahyan, Sheikhs, FNC members and citizens.

Sheikh Mohamed also said the UAE saw in 2015 sacrifices of its hero martyrs who will always be immortal in the nation's memory.

"To every mother, father, wife, son and brother of a martyr we lost, I say, we are all your brothers and we will always be close to you. Thanks to your fortitude, we came out stronger, more determined to continue our march and are more coherent."

He said the martyrs' relatives presented a shining example of patience, sacrifice and patriotism.

Sheikh Mohamed underlined the economic, political, military and social achievements made by the UAE, which contributed towards enhancing the country's image worldwide. He added that the UAE's participation in the Saudi-led Arab Coalition as part of the Operation Restoring Hope in Yemen had helped bolster solidarity and cooperation in facing challenges to regional security.

"The UAE has adopted a progressive approach in encouraging innovation and supporting all scientific initiatives, following President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan's announcement of 2015 as the year of innovation."

Sheikh Mohamed noted that despite the drop in oil prices, the UAE continued its economic development, thanks to the economic diversification policies. He also said the country presented a pioneering model in social and political representation following election of a woman as speaker of the Federal National Council for the first time in the Middle East.

He said that such a development reflected on the respect and special treatment given by the world to the UAE citizens, citing the recent decision to exempt Emiratis from the visa requirement to the Schengen countries.

Sheikh Mohamed also spoke about the challenges facing the world, including terrorism.

Sheikh Mohamed lauded the role played by Arab and foreign communities in the UAE and their contribution in the country's development. He also talked about UAE hosting the headquarters of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), saying it wasn't easy for the UAE to be selected as a host for the international agency, given the competition by advanced countries with an impressive track record in the field.

Sheikh Mohamed also referred to the UAE launching the Hope Mars Mission and the progress made in economic and tourism development, saying the country received 20 million tourists, while its airports were used by 100 million passengers in 2015.

He also highlighted the importance of strategic cooperation with the Asian countries and the revival of the ancient Silk Road and detailed the fruitful outcome of his recent visit to China, culminating in a US$ 10 billion joint strategic investment fund.

Sheikh Mohamed said the terrorism has grown in size both regionally and internationally and stressed the role of media and scholars in confronting extremist thought and in exposing the false claims of the terrorist groups which distort the image of Islam and its tolerance teachings for peace, co-existence and tolerance.

He said the current oil prices slump had little impact on the UAE economy and its future plans and this was clearly shown in the country's 2016 budget projections.

Sheikh Mohamed said the Arab Coalition's action in Yemen was timely and that military operations there are carried out in parallel with the political efforts and quest for peaceful solution.

"We wish Yemen stability and prosperity and we believe that sincere Arab cooperation and solidarity can help in the development of the region's countries," he added.

Sheikh Mohamed said that Saudi Arabia, under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdul Aziz, realised the challenges facing the region, leading to creation of Arab and Islamic coalitions.

Sheikh Mohamed affirmed that the UAE will continue its cooperation with the brotherly and friendly countries in fighting terrorism and in confronting current and future terrorism.

He concluded by saying human development will continue to be among the top priorities in the UAE's policies and vision for the future, adding that main allocations for the 2016 federal budget go to vital sectors such as education, healthcare and public services.
Source: WAM