The creative works of poets, novelists and scientists are a result of quiet contemplation and peace of mind. A peaceful environment allows ideas, innovations and creativity to pop up. The novelist Leo Tolstoy, for example, wrote most of his novels, including War and Peace, at his idyllic rural home.

Consequently, if retreats were the place for innovators and pioneers to come with up their inventions, the leadership retreat held to chart out governmental initiatives is an Emirati innovation. The retreat, held at Bab Al Shams Desert Resort, brought out many important decisions with the power to meet Emirati aspirations.

Most recently, especially after the collapse in oil price, rumours had been widely circulated, specifically by western media, that the Gulf countries would replace oil with renewable energy sources. Despite the fact that such a transformation is planned for the longer term,

the UAE responded swiftly by holding the leadership retreat to say that the UAE has a farsighted vision and capability, and will adopt clear-cut strategies that would create a developmental alternative. This is what His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, referred to when he said: “After the post-oil retreat, our strategic approaches became clear ... we promise our people with a bright future.”

The UAE’s history proves the ability to achieve the transformation due to a well-defined development approach, which has since became a global role model. In this regard, His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, said, “We seek to make the UAE a unique role model in transforming its economy from a natural resources-based to a human capital-based economy ... we will keep on exploring and planning for the future.

This vision reflects the leadership’s clear vision to press ahead towards the future by depending on science and innovation to achieve a knowledge-based economy. This will be realised by preparing qualified Emiratis to develop their skills and providing them the necessary means to succeed.

The UAE’s people responded to the decisions made at the leadership retreat immediately, a number of Emirati businessmen launched a social initiative that embodies the people’s solidarity with the government to achieve sustainable development.

Shaikh Hazza Bin Zayed, National Security Advisor and Deputy Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council, referred to this feature by saying, “The retreat has been held to present the unique experience of the UAE in the field of development.” And Shaikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Interior, said: “The Bab Al Shams Desert Resort is the UAE’s springboard towards innovation and prosperity”.

The firm stances of the UAE leaders reflect their clear objectives. The retreat’s effects will come to light very soon; many decisions and approaches will be adopted and set a new road map to the UAE’s next development phase. It will boost relations between Gulf countries as they engage in continuous coordination through the common market.

The UAE’s decisions are of great credibility as evidenced by its previous experience, in which adopted resolutions were carried out and met with no obstacles, neither from the government nor from its concerned entities.

This reflects the seriousness of the approach, which will have significant outcomes that would retain the momentum of economic growth, achieve high growth and secure a decent life for Emiratis and expats.

The nation’s approaches and visions did not come out of nowhere; instead they are inspired from the UAE’s foundations laid by the founding fathers, the late Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan and his deputy, Shaikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, and the other rulers.

Building on these strong foundations will lead to a firm and coherent country that has all elements of development and growth with or without oil. The confidence in the country’s potential and its future will be enhanced through the decisions taken at the retreat. Its outcomes will be recognised soon thanks to the far-sighted vision of the UAE leadership and the loyalty of its people as well as their contribution in carrying out the vision.