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2014-08-01

‏Hamdan bin Zayed: ‏UAE has achieved remarkable progress

‏Hamdan bin Zayed:

‏”‏I am pleased to point out that the UAE has assumed, in recent years, the lead in many of the specialized reports of international and regional institutions”

‏His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in the Western Region and Chairman of the Red Crescent Authority has given a wide-ranging interview on numerous achievements by the UAE across the spectrum including the Western Region vision and accomplishments. He has stressed how progress and pride in the nation follows the outstanding vision and tireless work of the founding father, the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan. He spoke to Editor-in-Chief, Staff Lieutenant-Colonel Yousef Juma Al Haddad.

By: Staff Lieutenant-Colonel Yousef Juma AL Hadad, Editor-in-Chief

‏ The strategy of the state aims to achieve balanced sustainable development and ensure prosperity for citizens and strengthen the country’s position regionally and globally. How does Your Highness view what has been achieved and what are your expectations in light of political and economic empowerment launched by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan?

‏The progress attained by our nation today is the fruit of a long process of continuous challenges, hard work, tireless effort and perseverance, led by the founding father, the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, after he harnessed the country’s wealth and potential, and dedicated himself and his life to building the renaissance of the nation and the dignity of citizens, until he achieved progress, prosperity, security and stability for the UAE and its people.

‏Comprehensive development achievements continued thanks to the wise and generous leadership of to HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and Their Highnesses Supreme Council Members rulers of the Emirates, and HH Gen. Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, as well as the concerted efforts of citizens.

‏The UAE has achieved - in record time and in accordance with international standards - high rates of overall development in various fields, after its GNP jumped from only AED6.5 billion only when the Union was established in 1971, to AED 1.5 trillion this year. The UAE has been ranked the 14th happiest country in the world, and first among the Arab countries in the second United Nations World Happiness Report in 2013.

‏I am pleased to point out that the UAE has assumed, in recent years, the lead in many of the specialized reports of international and regional institutions, especially in the indicators of global competitiveness reports, which classified it in the lists of the most progressive countries in the world in economics, business, infrastructure, human development, tourism, transportation and communications, information, culture, environment, and other indicators of sustainable development.

‏I cannot fail to note the position attained by the UAE in the international community, as reflected by its winning the right to host Expo 2020. It is one of the largest and oldest exhibitions in the world, as it dates back to 1851, and receives over six months, about 25 million visitors from all continents.

‏What is Your Highness’ evaluation of the overall achievements in of social development and the level of public services provided by the state to citizens in various service sectors - especially education, health, housing, social welfare and more?

‏Since its inception the state has given top priority to the establishment of infrastructure for social development sectors where infrastructure projects for these important sectors had been limited in number and potential, even non-existent in some cities and regions.

‏The state continues efforts to execute more of these projects in all cities throughout the country.

‏For example, the huge financial funds allocated by the federal government for the sectors of development and social benefits in 2013 budget, which amounted to AED22.7 billion which is 51 per cent of the total budget.

‏Since its inception, the UAE has taken significant steps on the path to women’s empowerment. UAE women have achieved excellent results in all fields. How does Your Highness evaluate Emirati women’s achievements in political participation through membership of the Federal National Council? And what are your thoughts regarding their general role and empowerment?

‏The significant gains obtained by Emirati women at the national level, and the high position reached by them regionally and internationally, have not been achieved by chance. Thanks to the Leader of Women Action, Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of General Women’s Union, her pioneering efforts, strong will and solid determination have helped to overcome all obstacles and difficulties.

‏The past decade was a golden one. UAE women today occupy four seats in the cabinet, which is one of the highest percentage of representation at the Arab level, and are represented by eight member women in the Federal National Council in its current session among its 40 members, or 22 per cent, which is also one of the highest percentages in terms of representation of women in parliamentary institutions.

‏Moreover, an Emirati lady is the first woman to be a permanent representative of the state to the United Nations, and four women are serving as ambassadors of the UAE in Spain, Sweden and Mentomogera, and as Consul General in Hong Kong, out of 148 diplomats employed in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

‏We would like to refer to the outstanding international achievement of the UAE this year by ranking first globally according to the Social Progress Index, which was launched by the World Economic Forum’s Global Agenda Council.

‏The UAE leadership, government and people have always provided humanitarian assistance to the needy in various parts of the world which is one of the main pillars of its foreign policy. How can the state play an even greater role in various areas and relief operations and reconstruction in the areas of crisis and regional conflicts?

‏In view of the numerous initiatives of the UAE, it has become a major center for the United Nations and its humanitarian organizations which have made Dubai a starting station from which to direct relief operations across the world in cases of disasters, calamities, armed conflicts, violence and wars.

‏It was no coincidence that our country received the appreciation of the international community, and has assumed the top ranking as the leading donating nation of relief assistance, according to Disaster Emergency Committee (DEC).
‏The volume of relief aid provided by the United Arab Emirates in 2013 alone was more than US$5.2 billion.

‏The UAE enjoys a proud regional and international reputation thanks to our prudent leadership and its achievements in development and prosperity of its citizens and residents on its territory. What would Your Highness say to the citizens so that they would maintain these achievements?

‏Throughout the past decade, our country has topped Human Development Reports issued annually by United Nations Development Program the latest of which was 2013 report, which placed it in second place regionally and 4st globally among 157 countries in the world.

‏It recorded very high rates in the level of long life, health, education, knowledge, standard of living, per capita income, gender equality, social welfare, communication and technology.

‏The concrete reality clearly shows that our citizens enjoy well-being, prosperity, happiness, security and stability, and feel reassured about their lives in the future. I must point out here, in addition, that our state has maintained its position of first place in the Arab world, and advanced three positions globally in the second survey, which was conducted by the United Nations in 2013 to measure the indicators of happiness and satisfaction among the nations of the world, to rank 14th.

‏Thanks to the insight of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, our Armed Forces have become a safety valve in the defense of the nation and maintaining national interests and rights. How does Your Highness view their role and participation abroad in peacekeeping operations and aiding global stability?

‏The UAE is a state of love and peace. It pursues consistent and clear strategies in its foreign policy. The most important is its belief in the peaceful coexistence between nations and peoples, and its constant calls to dialogue and peaceful means to resolve any differences or disputes based on commitment to the principles of the UN Charter and conventions, international laws and eagerness to support security, stability and world peace.

‏The UAE has built a modern strong army equipped with integrated kit and gear, and enjoys high combat capacity, readiness and willingness to deal with all global technical military developments to defend the nation’s sanctities, territory, sovereignty and independence.

‏We remember proudly, the positive and effective contributions of our Armed Forces along with the international community to the UN peacekeeping forces in many troubled countries and regions, including Lebanon, Kosovo, Afghanistan, Somalia and other areas. Add to this their participation in the fight against terrorism and piracy and their support for international efforts to remove mines and cluster bombs left by Israeli invasion forces in South Lebanon in 2007.

‏His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, issued the National Service Law, which has had a positive impact in the hearts of citizens and embodied the meanings of national cohesion. What are Your Highness’ thoughts on the importance of this law?

‏The National Service Act is an important national decision that reflects that the protection of the homeland and preserving its sovereignty and national gains is a sacred duty for every citizen.

‏We highlight our support for the sincere efforts of the National and Reserve Service Authority and the positive steps it has carried out for the implementation of this strategic law. It instills in them the spirit of discipline, order and responsibility. They will always be ready on the front lines to defend the nation.
‏We look forward with confidence to the first batch of graduates.

‏The Western Region has made, through the efforts of Your Highness, many development achievements, and is currently witnessing the implementation of many projects which attracted large investment companies to the region - what are the implications of these developments for life in the region?

‏The comprehensive achievements achieved by the Western Region in a short period, reflect the wise vision of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and his passion and interest in the development of all areas across the country and turning them into modern cities.

‏During the past five years, the Western Region has witnessed major breakthroughs to upgrade its infrastructure in all its regions, provide high levels of basic services, especially in education, health, housing and comprehensive social development.

‏The value of the investment projects that have been completed and are being implemented in many sectors is more than AED 220 billion, where these projects spread in a number of cities of the Western Region, especially in the cities of Zayed, Ghayathi, Marfa’,Ruwais,Liwa, Sila’ and Sir BaniYas. The cost of the projects that have been invested in the sector oil and gas industry in the region AED 125.73 and AED 57 billion in the energy,.

‏What are the most prominent features of the comprehensive plan for the development of the Western Region and what are the plans that have been drawn up?

‏The initiative for Western Region Development Plan was launched in the context of the Overall Development Plan of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi until 2030, where the volume of investments have ranged between AED 500 to AED600 billion, including more than AED100 billion allocated for the development of the Western Region.

‏The plan mainly aims to improve the lives of the citizens in those regions through an integrated strategy that seeks primarily to develop the public and higher education sector, upgrade and provide world-class health care, and provide the highest standards for sustainable infrastructure.

‏We have succeeded in attracting the attention of many major global investment companies and establishments that wished to partner for the construction of large strategic projects, mainly the construction of the Nuclear Plants Project at Braka, Solar Plant Project in Ruwais, the Union Train Project, the Strategic Road Project linking Mafraq and Ghuwaifat, and others in the economic, trade and infrastructure sectors.

‏Plans to accelerate the development of the Western Region include establishing g two industrial zones in Ruwais and Zayed cities on 16.4 square kilometers, creating about 43 jobs.

‏The Western Region is ideal location for tourism. What are the major tourism projects that have been completed and what is coming up?

‏We have made the tourism sector a fundamental pillar for growth and development of the Western Region considering the tourism resources and potential of the region. They include unique and charming nature that combines views of the sea, golden sandy beaches, beautiful green oases and yellow desert sand that extends to the edge of the Empty Quarter. There are also historical archaeological areas whose history dates back millions of years.

‏During the past few years a number of outstanding world-class tourism projects have been completed, including the Desert Islands Resort on Sir Bani Yas Island, the heritage touristic hotel Qasr Al Sarab in Liwa, Tilal Liwa Hotel, which overlooks the landscapes of the Empty Quarter desert and lush gardens that characterize the area of Liwa, in addition to the world-class City Mall.

‏The project Desert Island in the area of Jebel Dhanna, where the volume of investments in public and private sector exceeds AED 11.5 billion.

‏More than three decades have elapsed since the establishment of the Red Crescent Authority. How does Your Highness view its achievements and the challenges it faces?

‏The founding of the Red Crescent Authority in January, 1983, is a true translation of the vision and thought of the generous humane personality of the founding father, the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, which embodied all meanings of nobility, benevolence, generosity and giving.

‏The total cost of projects and charitable and humanitarian programs carried out by the Red Crescent, since its inception up to 2013, is more than AED 8 billion that provided aid to nearly 100 countries.

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