UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum stressed that the forty years of comprehensive and national achievements would not have been made without wise and far-sighted vision enhanced by strong will and determination. He added that the word impossible is no longer listed on the agenda of the UAE. He went on to say that we have written a success story whose chapters and results have impressed the world, simultaneously building bridges of cooperation and communication with all peoples of the world.
He added that the word impossible is no longer listed on the agenda of the UAE. He went on to say that we have written a success story whose chapters and results have impressed the world, simultaneously building bridges of cooperation and communication with all peoples of the world.
Following is the edited translation of the speech:
Forty years of achievements have been made by our people and our country, which has clearly, as recognised by all, the far and the near, become a state of excellence, leading in various fields. This, of course, would not have come to pass without the sound and long-term vision enhanced by strong determination and indomitable will, because the word impossible is no longer listed on the agenda of the UAE.
Since the dawn of the second of December 1971, the wheel of development commenced by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum has not stopped as it has been continued and sustained by President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the UAE people in all work locations and production facilities. This strenuous work has led to our prosperous future through the translation of the achievements into reality on the ground, to enable the coming Emirati generations to reap the fruits.
We will leave to coming generations the promising national, cultural and human heritage, which is not easy to neglect, because it is in the core of the memory of our people. Everyone must revive this memory through the celebration of our national occasions, especially the National Day. This day cherishes the noble national themes, notably, the allegiance to the country and its leadership that has delivered in the past and still works to provide security, stability and decent life for all our people across our dear homeland.
The celebration of our people of the National Day every year is accompanied with addition of new block or blocks to the structure of our prestigious country, not only by raising slogans, or adornment, or suspension of work in the ministries and national institutions, but through the celebration, we mark what we have achieved so far in the areas of human resources, urban development, culture, services, health and education.
All these achievements are employed in the service of citizens, because the country is not only the high-rise buildings, but also stable and educated citizens, able to protect their homeland, preserve the reputation and achievements and gains of the country
The defence of the nation is not by force of arms or hoisting of a flag, but through will-power, creativity and excellence.
We are exhibiting the success story that has impressed the world in terms of our achievements. Meanwhile, we are working to build bridges between our people and the world economically, culturally, and scientifically, out of our conviction of the importance of human relations among States and peoples and their roles in promoting of peace, justice and equality for all peoples worldwide.
Dear Citizens, We look forward to building a promising future together as a team and to maintain our Arab roots and to open our hearts to brothers and friends. We have to know more about culture and civilisations. As openness is embodied in our past, present and future, we can continue walking to reach the summit and activate the role of our beloved country in financial, economic, political, cultural and humanitarian circles.
On this precious national occasion, we should stress the important role of our national institutions, including ministries, agencies and departments and others in the process of nation-building and sustainable development. Based on our view of the role of these national institutions, we have launched since the assumption of the Cabinet presidency in the era of my brother President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the re-organisation and activation of their roles in serving the citizens so as to achieve development of the institutional performance of government, as well as the introduction of IT in most of the services provided to the public.
We also work as a government to promote and disseminate the concept of transparency and openness in government work to ensure international standards in delivery of government services, based on accountability and rewarding creativity and those keen to protect the reputation of our country, and uphold its status as state of institutions, and not slogans.
We praise Allah that, as a government under the guidance and support of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, we have managed to move our national institutions to the stage of transparency, functionality, openness, disclosure and application of technology. We can now say that it has reached 90 per cent of the international standard. And we look forward to achieving 100 per cent through the cooperation of everyone in the light of enthusiasm for the country and national identity.
I am honoured to use the occasion of this statement in our Diraa Al Watan Magazine to note that it has proved itself as a specialised magazine in military affairs over the last the forty years of its press journey. I congratulate all the staff who founded the magazine, and all those who have been managing, editing and publishing this pioneer magazine. I hope that this magazine will continue the development and progress on the path of freedom of expression and purposeful information, and that it will perform its national and noble mission to the fullest.
In conclusion, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, on the occasion of the 40th National Day. It is a great honour to acknowledge the guidance of his wise directives and unlimited support in the building of a strong national army, based on the principles of justice, the inherent Arab and Islamic values and loyalty to this dear country and its people, and his leadership, advocacy and protection of the gains of our independence and its sovereignty.
I am happy at this point to congratulate my brother and companion His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, as the guardian of national interest and his following up of the affairs of the Armed Forces regarding the development of the components of equipment, training and allegiance to the nation, leadership and people.
I also extend my congratulations to my children, officers and members of our Armed Forces who train day and night to be qualified and prepared to face challenges and to attain excellence in the modern military sciences' training, to acquire skills, to keep a watchful eye and build the fence that protects the security and stability of our country, people and community.
The congratulations on the National Day are also extended to the citizens, who have proved to the world their merit and ability to cope with the difficult challenges, creativity and excellence in various fields. We are proud of our persistent people, who achieve great achievements year after year to be recorded in history. They will remain a source of inspiration and creativity for successive generations."
