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Tuesday, March 12, 2024

ABOUT UAE

The United Arab Emirates was established on 02 December, 1971.

The United Arab Emirates consists of seven Emirates: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Umm al-Qaiwain, Fujairah, Ajman and Ras Al Khaimah. Four-fifths of the UAE is desert but has contrasting landscapes-from the towering red dunes of the Liwa to the rich palm-filled Oasis of Al Ain, from the precipitous Hajar Mountains to the more fertile stretches of its coastal plains.

Though small in size, the UAE has become an important player in regional and international affairs. In 1971, the late President Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan unified the small, underdeveloped states into a federation—the only one in the Arab world. With his visionary leadership, oil wealth was used to develop the UAE into one of the world’s most open and successful economies.

In 2004, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan became president and has since continued to strive towards an ambitious vision for the UAE.

The permanent constitution, which was passed in 1995, specifies five Federal authorities, namely: the Federal Supreme Council, President and vice president , the Cabinet, the Federal National Council , and the Federal Judicial Authority. The Federal Supreme Council is the highest constitutional authority in the country and is made up of the rulers of the seven emirates.

History of UAE

The UAE’s rich history is rooted in trade and tied to Islam, which came to the region in AD 630. Its location between Europe and the Far East attracted merchants from India and China and was prized by Europeans, in particular the Portuguese, the Dutch and the British.

While Europeans sought control of the coasts, inland, the ancestors of the Bedouin made the sandy deserts of Abu Dhabi and Dubai their home. The town of Abu Dhabi became an important center.

In the 19th century, the British signed a series of agreements with the individual Emirates that resulted in the area becoming known as “The Trucial States.” They agreed not to dispose of any territory except to the United Kingdom and not to enter into relationships with any foreign government other than the United Kingdom without its consent. In return, the British promised to protect the coast from all aggression by sea and to help in case of land attack.

The pearling industry thrived in 19th and early 20th centuries, providing income and employment to the people of the Gulf. Many inhabitants were semi-nomadic, pearling in the summer and tending date gardens in the winter. But the economic depression in the late 1920s and early 1930s, coupled with the Japanese invention of the cultured pearl, irreparably damaged the industry.

In 1968, with the British announcement of its withdrawal from the Arabian Gulf, Sheikh Zayed stepped into action to quickly establish closer ties among the Emirates. Together with Sheikh Rashid, Sheikh Zayed called for a federation that would include not only the seven Emirates that together made up the Trucial States, but also Qatar and Bahrain.

An agreement was reached between the rulers of six of the Emirates (Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Umm al-Quwain, Fujairah and Ajman), and the federation to be known as the United Arab Emirates was formally established on 2 December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra’s al-Khaimah, acceded to the new federation the following year.

By National Archives of the United Arab Emirates 

First President of UAE

The late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan was the first president of the United Arab Emirates and is widely recognized as the father of the nation.

Under his forty years of rule the country was transformed from a stunted conglomeration of seven emirates into a strong modern nation with one of the highest GDPs per capita in the Arab world and a state-of-the-art infrastructure and social system.

His death on November 2, 2004, marked the end of an era for the United Arab Emirates.

President of UAE

HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler of Abu Dhabi, was elected as the new President of the United Arab Emirates on 3 November 2004, to succeed his father, the late HH Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, UAE President from 1971 to 2004, from whom, he has said, he learned “the need for patience and prudence in all things.”

Since becoming UAE President, HH Sheikh Khalifa has presided over a major re-structuring of both the Federal Government and the government of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan is President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Abu Dhabi. He was elected on Saturday 14th May 2022 by decision of their highnesses, the members of the Federal Supreme Council of the United Arab Emirates.

 

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has been Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council since 2004. He served as Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi from 2004 until 2022. Prior to that, he served as Deputy Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi. He also served as Chief of Staff of the UAE Armed Forces from 1993 to 2005, before assuming the role of Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

Working alongside the late Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the rulers of the other emirates, His Highness has dedicated his life in service to advancing the UAE&rsquos social, economic and cultural development with the goal of realising a more secure, flourishing, and sustainable future for his country and people. His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan is a leader amongst his people, holding firm the belief that true leadership lies in empowering men and women to forge their own paths and shape the future of the nation. Servant leadership is one of his enduring qualities.  It can be seen in his daily interactions with citizens and residents, as well as through the Majlis an assembly of leaders, citizens and community members, and his formal and informal engagements.

 

Building a secure and thriving society

Following in the footsteps of the late Sheikh Zayed and the late Sheikh Khalifa, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan prioritises investments in infrastructure and regional security as enablers of the wellbeing of people. He has:

  • Prioritized the growth and advancement of higher education across Abu Dhabi
  • Prioritized the development of strong national character, focusing on investing in sports
  • Overseen the launch of the UAE&rsquos Compulsory Military Service in 2014
  • Supported the launch of  initiatives to foster an inclusive and flourishing society through the launch of the Abu Dhabi Strategy for People of Determination
  • Invested in partnerships that led to the establishment of world-class healthcare and Research and Development facilities
  • Promoted high-quality investments that have energized the military industries e.g. Edge and Tawazun
  • Supported the development of Abu Dhabi&rsquos infrastructure and economy, most notably through Ghadan 21, an accelerator programme launched in 2018 with a budget of 50 billion dirhams.

Key Members of Government

The United Arab Emirates is a constitutional federation of seven emirates. Under the UAE system of government, the President of the Federation is elected by a body known as the Supreme Council of Rulers. The federal system of government includes: The Supreme Council, made up of the rulers of each emirate; the Council of Ministers (Cabinet); a parliamentary body in the form of the Federal National Council; and the Federal Supreme Court, which is representative of an independent judiciary.

Supreme Council Members

HH Vice President and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Ruler of Dubai

HH Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi
Ruler of Sharjah

HH Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi
Ruler of Ra’s al-Khaimah

HH Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi
Ruler of Fujairah

HH Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mu’alla
Ruler of Umm al-Qaiwain

HH Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi
Ruler of Ajman

Crown Princes

HH General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council

HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Crown Prince of Dubai, Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, and Minister of Finance

Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammad bin Sultan Al Qasimi
Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, Chairman of the Sharjah Executive Council

Sheikh Mohammed bin Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi
Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Ra’s al-Khaimah

HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi
Crown Prince of Fujairah

HH Sheikh Rashid bin Saud bin Rashid Al Mu’alla
Crown Prince of Umm al-Qaiwain

HH Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi
Crown Prince of Ajman

Deputy Rulers

HH Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Deputy Ruler of Dubai

HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi
Deputy Ruler of Sharjah

HH Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi
Deputy Ruler of Sharjah

Sheikh Mohammed bin Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi
Deputy Ruler of Ra’s al-Khaimah

Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi
Deputy Ruler of Fujairah

HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Rashid Al Mu’alla
Deputy Ruler of Umm al-Qaiwain

Members of the Cabinet

Prime Minister and Minister of Defence
Vice President HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior
HH Lt Gen. Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs
HH Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan

Minister of Finance
HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum

Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan

Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development
Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi

​Minister of Tolerance
Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan

​Minister of Cabinet Affairs and Future
Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Gergawi

​Minister of Economy
Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri

​Minister of State for Federal National Council Affairs and Minister of Health
Dr. Abdul Rahman bin Mohammad Al Owais

​Minister of Human Resources and Emiratization
Nasser bin Thani Al Hameli

​Minister of State for Foreign Affairs
Dr. Anwar bin Mohammed Gargash

​Minister of State for Financial Affairs
Obaid bin Humaid Al Tayer

​Minister of State for International Cooperation
Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashimy

​Minister of Energy and Industry
Suhail Mohammed Faraj Al Mazroui

​Minister of Education
Hussain bin Ibrahim Al Hammadi

​Minister of Infrastructure Development
Dr. Abdullah bin Mohammed Belhaif Al Nuaimi

​Minister of Justice
Sultan bin Saeed Al Badi

Minister of Community Development
Hessa bint Eisa Bu Humaid

Minister of State for Defense Affairs
Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Bowardi

Minister of Environment and Climate Change
Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al-Zeyoudi

Minister of State for Public Education
Jameela bint Salem Al Muhairi

Minister of State for Higher Education and Advanced Skills
Dr. Ahmad bin Abdulla Humaid Belhoul AlFalasi

​Minister of State
Zaki Anwar Nusseibeh

​Minister of State
Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber

​Minister of State
Dr. Maitha bint Salem Al Shamsi

​Minister of State
Dr. Rashid bin Ahmed bin Fahad

​​Minister of State responsible for Future Food Security
Mariam Al Mheiri

​​Minister of State responsible for Advanced Sciences
Sara Al Amiri

Minister of State for Happiness
Ohood bint Khalfan Al Roumi

Minister of State for Youth Affairs
Shamma bint Sohail Faris Al Mazrui

​Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence
Omar bin Sultan Al Olama

Secretary General of the UAE Cabinet
Abdullah Mohammad bin Touq

Facts and Figures

Full Name:
United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Political System:
Constitutional Federation (Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm al- Qaiwain, Ra’s al- Khaimah and Fujairah)

National Day:
2nd December 1971

Founder:
The Late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan

President:
H.H. Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan (Ruler of Abu Dhabi)

Vice President & Prime Minister:
H. H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (Ruler of Dubai)

Other Rulers:
Sharjah: H. H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi
Ajman: H. H. Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi
Umm al-Qaiwain: H. H Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mu’alla
Ra’s al-Khaimah: H. H. Sheikh Saud  bin Saqr Al Qasimi
Fujairah:  H. H Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi

Area:
83,600 Sq. km. (Slightly bigger than Scotland)

Location:
Bordered to the North by the Arabian Gulf, to the East by the Gulf of Oman and Sultanate of Oman, to the South by Saudi Arabia and Sultanate of Oman and to the West by Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

Geographic Coordinates:
22. – 25.5 North and 51 – 56.5 East.

Climate:
Arid desert, cooler in the eastern mountains. (Winter: warm & sunny / Summer: hot and humid)

Elevation Extremes:
Arabian Gulf 0 m, Jabal Yibir 1, 627 m

Natural Resources:
Oil and Gas

Population:
8.19 million, 16.5 % Nationals (est.2010. The National Bureau of Statistics, UAE)

Capital:
Abu Dhabi

Largest City:
Dubai

Monetary Unit:
UAE Dirham 1AED = 100 Fills

Exchange Rate:
1 USD = AED 3.67 (Pegged to the US Dollar)

Fiscal Year:
1st January to 31st December

Weekend:
Friday and Saturday

Official Language:
Arabic

Other Languages:
English, Farsi, Hindi, Urdu

Religion:
Islam (Practice of all religious beliefs is allowed)

Literacy rate:
93%

Time:
GMT +4 (Daylight Saving Time +3)

International Dialing Code:
+971

Internet Domain:
ae

GDP per capita:
37,622.21 USD (2016) World Bank

Did you know: 
United Arab Emirates has the ninth-highest greenhouse gas emissions per capita (24.59 tonnes) in the world.

Geography and Economy

By Aotearoa [GFDL or CC-BY-SA-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

The total area of the United Arab Emirates is 83,600 km².

The UAE shares borders with Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Oman.

The UAE is an active leading country in the field of clean and renewable energy worldwide. Its immense efforts culminated by choosing Abu Dhabi to host the headquarters of the International Renewable Energy (Irena).

The UAE produces 2.7 million barrels of oil per day and has the seventh-largest oil reserves in the world.

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