Human development is the ultimate goal

President His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan is fully committed to human development because he believes it is the ultimate goal and the key to progress in any society, according to an official study published yesterday.

Quoted in the study coinciding with the global conference on sustainable development in Johannesburg, South Africa, Sheikh Zayed also stressed that there must be no discrimination in human development and that all people, regardless of their race and ethnic origin, should be treated fairly and equally.

"Man is the ultimate goal in any development process and is the base and pillar of any civilisation," Sheikh Zayed said in statements published in the study by the Zayed Centre for Coordination and Follow-up in Abu Dhabi.

"Our concern in human development is essential because it is the pivot of any real progress. No matter how many buildings, facilities, schools and hospitals we build and no matter how many projects and bridges we set up, it will remain a lifeless, material entity incapable of survival.

"The spirit of all this is man, the man who is capable with his mind, resources, art and determination to preserve those achievements and push further."

The study said what has been achieved in the UAE since it was established in 1971 testified to Sheikh Zayed's insight and showed he is committed to a comprehensive development with special emphasis on the people regardless of their origin.

"His Highness is among the pioneers who adopted a real approach towards human development without any discrimination," the study said.

"This attitude stems from His Highness' principles which do not distinguish between a man and another for any reason. He strongly believes that prosperity should cover all without exception and that pain felt by any person in any part of the world due to wars, poverty, hunger or disasters should prompt an international action to extend help."

It noted that Sheikh Zayed has won 15 international awards in human development, environment, wildlife protection and other fields.

One of the prestigious awards was "the man of development and progress" presented to him by the Arab League for his efforts in fighting desertification, protecting the environment and setting up development projects in the UAE and other developing nations.

It quoted Sheikh Zayed as saying: "We are giving utmost interest to the environment and nature, because it is part and parcel of our history and culture. Our ancestors lived on this land and co-existed with its environment on land and in sea.

"By instinct, they recognised the need to preserve their environment and to take only what they needed from it and left the rest for future generations.

"We now should follow their example and safeguard the environment not only for ourselves but for our sons and grandsons. It is a duty which we must carry out for the sake of our ancestors and sons."