1.942425-2622415407
Shaikh Khalifa chairs the Supreme Council meeting in the presence of Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid at the Al Diyafa Palace on the occasion of the 40th National Day of the UAE. Image Credit: WAM

Abu Dhabi: The 40-year march of the UAE was discussed yesterday at the Supreme Council meeting held yesterday at Al Diyafa Palace in Al Mushrif.

President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan chaired the Supreme Council meeting which was attended by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and Their Highnesses Supreme Council Members and Rulers Shaikh Humaid Bin Rashid Al Nuaimi of Ajman, Shaikh Hamad Bin Mohammad Al Sharqi of Fujairah, Shaikh Saud Bin Rashid Al Mualla of Umm Al Quwain and Shaikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi of Ras Al Khaimah.

Hard work

On the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the formation of the UAE, Shaikh Khalifa exchanged greetings with the Supreme Council members. He said the special occasion in the life of the nation must be used to stress the need for exerting more efforts towards enhancing the Union's march and achieving the aspirations of the UAE people in development and prosperity.

The Supreme Council members greeted the people of the UAE on the occasion, reiterating that the achievements of the UAE over the last 40 years were fruits of strenuous and sincere work by Emiratis.

"The contribution of UAE people to building their country will always be highly appreciated," according to a communiqué distributed by WAM after the meeting.

Their Highnesses Members of Supreme Council welcomed the decree issued by the UAE President on the establishment of the "Head of State Merit Award" adding that this initiative will have a positive impact. The prize will honour nationals who make excellent contributions to nation-building.

Tributes paid

They paid tributes to the founding fathers, who had shouldered the historic responsibilities to build the Union, stressing that the role of those founders and other nationals, who had worked with them, to "represent a national role model to current and coming generations".

Shaikh Khalifa hosted a banquet in the honour of Rulers and Crown Princes. The event was also attended by Shaikhs, ministers and senior officials.

Earlier yesterday, Shaikh Khalifa received at the Diyafa Palace, Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid, Supreme Council Members and Rulers, Crown Princes and Deputy Rulers of the Emirates. The reception was held in the presence of the President's Representative Shaikh Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

Shaikh Khalifa also received Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance, Shaikh Maktoum Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, Shaikh Ammar Bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman, Shaikh Mohammad Bin Hamad Bin Mohammad Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah, Shaikh Rashid Bin Saud Bin Rashid Al Mualla, Crown Prince of Umm Al Quwain, Shaikh Abdullah Bin Rashid Al Mualla, Deputy Ruler of Umm Al Quwain, and Shaikh Mohammad Bin Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Crown Prince of Ras Al Khaimah.