Abu Dhabi: The UAE will press ahead with its ambitious approach towards excellence and progress under the leadership of President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, said His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, during a session at Al Bahr Palace on Monday.
“This year witnessed radical changes, challenges and developments that have direct and indirect impact on the region and UAE,” he said.
“Despite the latest developments and events in the region, the UAE was able to make various achievements in the economic, social and political fields. The UAE also ranked among the first countries in global competitiveness indicators,” Shaikh Mohammad added.
The session was dedicated to highlighting landmark achievements made by the UAE in 2015, and its future vision in view of the various developments and challenges surrounding the region.
He reaffirmed that the UAE, with the strong will, determination and devotion of its citizens, will achieve further progress that builds on the foundations laid by our late forefathers.
“This year, the UAE faced its biggest challenge ever, represented by the sacrifices of UAE soldiers, who fell martyrs in Yemen. They will remain immortalised in our memories as a source of pride to the nation and its citizens,” Shaikh Mohammad said.
Addressing martyrs’ families, he said: “Your losses are our loss. We are your family, and will always be by your side and we will emerge stronger and more resilient, with your steadfastness and insistence. We will together continue on the path, driven by our solidarity and cohesion between the leadership and people.”
Shaikh Mohammad said that the martyrs’ families set an example with their patience, faithfulness and sacrifice.
He outlined a number of achievements that boosted the UAE’s status on the economic, political, military, social and development levels.
“The UAE’s participation in the Saudi-led Arab Coalition in Operation Restoring Hope enhanced pan-Arab solidarity and cooperation in dealing with security challenges facing the region,” Shaikh Mohammad said.
The UAE has adopted an advanced approach to encourage innovation and creativity, as well as supporting all initiatives that will help consolidate this approach, following Shaikh Khalifa’s declaration of 2015 the year of innovation, Shaikh Mohammad said.
“The country continued its economic growth in view of the decline in oil prices, thanks to the economic policy to diversify sources of income to boost the national economy,” he added.
Shaikh Mohammad underlined that the UAE has set a leading model of social and political development, in addition to public representation by electing the first woman as Speaker of the Federal National Council in the Arab region and Middle East.
He indicated that the stature the UAE gained on the global stage, as well as its progress and development in various fields, has reflected positively on its citizens, who receive outstanding treatment, the latest of which was the Schengen visa-free waiver.
Touching on the subject of terrorism, Shaikh Mohammad said that the region and entire world are facing a host of challenges.
