Much of the UAE's reputable global standing today has been the result of foresight, coupled with a sense of direction and astute administration by its leaders. They guided the people of this country from the fledgling days of its formation, where getting past every day was a reward in itself, to sowing the seeds of a glittering future in which the sky is the limit.

The UAE's achievements are testimony to the strong will of the people forged by the character and farsighted vision of its leaders who navigated the country along the path to success.

This does not mean that challenges were few and far between. On the contrary.

In 1968 the United Kingdom announced its intention to withdraw its military forces from the area by 1971, the Trucial States (comprising Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Umm Al Quwain, Ajman and Fujairah — Ras Al Khaimah was to join the alliance later in 1972) then decided to form an alliance with neighbours Bahrain and Qatar. Stability and consolidation, now that they were suddenly left to fend for themselves, was the key.

The relationship, however, fizzled on grounds of incompatibility, forcing Bahrain and Qatar to forge their own identities as separate nations.

Visionaries

The ambitions of the Rulers, namely Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan and Shaikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, did not waver even though they were back to square one in their quest to move forward. Both were visionaries who shared a common goal and with support from the other leaders led their people towards it with purpose and an unwavering spirit of ambition and adventure.

It is with this rationale that six of the Trucial States decided to come together in an alliance that would see the birth of the United Arab Emirates. A federal constitution — a symbol of the country's independence — was also promulgated. Each emirate nevertheless retained its unique spirit, thus defining the theory that the whole is defined by the sum of its parts.

The UAE became independent on December 2, 1971 and Ras Al Khaimah joined the alliance in February 1972. A new era was dawning.

It was a period during which this young country would be forced to test its objectives and aspirations within its own borders and amongst its people, eventually looking beyond those borders and thereby gaining momentum and asserting itself as a major regional identity albeit armed with values and principles envied by one and all.

It almost did not work internally thanks to initial fissures developing as a result of many differences. Chief among these was a centralised and local form of government distinctive to each of the seven emirates. These issues were, however, ironed out quickly and efficiently. Having found its stride, the UAE began to move forward slowly but surely, armed with a fresh resolve.

Taking a stand

In 1981 the UAE became one of the founding members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), a body entrusted with the task of achieving greater political and economic integration between Gulf countries. It must be stressed here that prior to the formation of this association, the UAE had already begun championing the cause of less-privileged Arab nations — Palestine being a case in point — but never adopted extreme measures. It, however, did not shy away from taking a stand on issues it deemed important. The country's global stature was being developed, but not at the cost of the Arab voice.

In doing so, the leaders and the people sent out a message of moderation, tolerance and peaceful co-existence through social, cultural, political and economic exchanges. This philanthropic approach is reflective of the UAE's society and those — Arab and non-Arab — who were part of it.

Slowly and steadily, through the decades that went by since its formation, the UAE developed a definitive voice and personality of its own. It signalled to the world that the best of Arab values and traditions can co-exist with a pioneering never-say-die international spirit which began to get the attention of the global community.

It was developing an unmatched blueprint for progress, safety, security, success and well-being, and people of all backgrounds, colours, creeds, castes and faiths were being drawn towards it.

Four decades is not a long time in a country's history. But if ever a yardstick for rapid success over a short period is determined, then the formation of the UAE and its astonishing development from scratch, when its people had nothing but a dream to harness, will be the ultimate case study.

This is perhaps the country's biggest accomplishment — that it went on to become an example for other nations to emulate.