UAE 2019 highlights in pictures

In 2019, the UAE enhanced its reputation as a global centre of tolerance, through the signing of the 'Human Fraternity Document'. In February, the 'Human Fraternity Document' was signed, initiating is a joint declaration and a manual for future generations on how to achieve world peace and live together, with the blessings of Dr. Ahmed Al Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al Azhar, and Pope Francis, Head of the Catholic Church.

On 5th January, the Zayed Sports City Stadium hosted the first papal mass in the Arabian Peninsula, with the participation of over 180,000 people from around the world. The event was an important moment in the history of the region and the world thanks to its role in promoting values of tolerance, co-existence, love and peace.

UAE in 2019 declared a historical initiative, which is the establishment of the Abrahamic Family House on Al Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi. The house will be opened in 2022 and will include a mosque, a church, and synagogue under one roof. Federal National Council elections

The year 2019 witnessed the adoption of UAE President’s Resolution No. 01 for 2019 to raise the participation of women to 50 percent in the Federal National Council, Federal Law Decree No. 06 for 2019 on prohibiting discrimination in the workplace, Federal Law Decree No. 10 for 2019 on prevention of domestic violence in UAE, as well as Federal Decree-Law No. 19 on the Insolvency of Natural Persons Federal Law

Emirati astronaut Hazza Al Mansoori made history for his country when he travelled to the International Space Station, ISS, becoming the first Arab astronaut to reach the station since its establishment in 1998. Al Mansouri conducted 16 scientific experiments in cooperation with international space agencies. He also conducted some of 'Science in Space' experiments, which was organised by Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre in coordination with schools from the UAE.

The Emirati passport also preserved it ranking as the world's most powerful passport, based on Global Passport Power Rank, Passport Index 2019's rankings. Emiratis have access to 167 countries without prior visa applications. The UAE also continued strengthening its diplomatic ties with many countries. In March, it opened its embassy in the Colombian capital, Bogota, and in June, the new premises of the country's embassy in Bulgarian capital, Sofia was inaugurated.

The UAE continued its progress in Global Competitiveness Report, as it occupied the 25th position internationally in 2019, advancing two places from last year in the prestigious report issued by the World Economic Forum. The UAE was among the best five countries in 19 international indexes, and among the best 20 countries in 57 indexes. In sub-indicators, the UAE came first globally in the stability of the national economy, second in Information and Communication Technology, ICT, adoption, fourth in product market and commodity markets axis. The UAE ranked second globally in the rate of electricity contributions from the percentage of population index, the mobile subscription ratio index, the manpower diversity index, and the third globally in the speed ​​of government response to variables index. The country was also ranked fourth in the world in the efficiency of legal frameworks index, the low burden of government procedures, the adaptation of legal frameworks to accommodate the digital business model, the long-term government vision index, fiber-optic Internet subscriptions, wages and productivity, and availability of venture capital. It was also ranked fifth globally in the internet users index, the low impact of taxes and subsidies on business competition and the innovative growth index.

Sharjah was named as the UNESCO World Book Capital, and the second is the UAE’s winning the membership of the executive board of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, UNESCO. This marks the fourth time that the UAE has won a seat at one of UNESCO's three constitutional bodies.

At the start of 2019, the UAE hosted the 2019 AFC Asian Cup, which witnessed the participation of 24 football teams for the first time in the history of the tournament. It also organised Special Olympics World Games in Abu Dhabi, attended by some 7,500 athletes from around the world. The UAE was the fifth most decorated team winning 182 medals, including 64 golds, 55 silvers and 63 bronzes.

In Jiu-Jitsu, UAE team won 22 medals at the World Youth Cup and the Balkan Open for Youth in Romania in September 2019, as well as 52 medals in Jiu-Jitsu World Championship 2019 in Abu Dhabi.

The Abu Dhabi International Marine Sports Club won the Formula 1 Powerboat World Championship title, and the Abu Dhabi Maritime Sports team won the Formula 2 World Championship title while Paralympic champion Mohammed Al Qayed won three medals for the UAE at the World Athletics Championship in Dubai.