UAE marks 45th anniversary of National Day
The United Arab Emirates commemorates its 45th National Day on Dec. 2, a day that embodies the Spirit of the Union and celebrates 45 years of great achievements since the federation was established in 1971.
The path of celebration was first announced by the founding President of the UAE, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and his fellow founding fathers of the UAE Federation. This path is now followed by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, who continues to lead the nation’s march to progress and prosperity.
The incredible achievements of the UAE in recent years have been made possible due to the directives of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, as well as His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and their fellow members of the Supreme Council and Rulers of the Emirates, who have consistently contributed to promoting and developing the country through knowledge and innovation.
The UAE today ranks among the world’s leading destinations across several key indicators and has become a true role model for countries around the world.
The country enjoys a prestigious position in the Arab world, and beyond, due to its significant achievements in various fields and its strong presence in political, diplomatic, economic and humanitarian arenas at regional and international levels.
The UAE has always been dynamic and proactive in communicating with other countries and building bridges of close cooperation and strategic partnerships to lead the way in political, economic, commercial, industrial, technological, scientific, educational, health and other sectors.
Sustained growth, prosperity
Despite the current situation in the region, in 2016, exceptional strides have been made in infrastructure, the fields of energy, space, information technology, telecommunications and other vital areas, in addition to the environment and sustainability, which have significantly contributed to modernising the UAE and enabling the country to achieve top international rankings.
The UAE has maintained its position as the leading Arab country for the fourth year in a row in the latest World Bank report on the Ease of Doing Business, and now ranks 26th globally in the same report.
The UAE is also ranked the top Arab country for well-being and life satisfaction according to the Legatum Prosperity Index. The report also revealed that the UAE is among the top countries for safety and security and economic quality, and ranks 41st worldwide.
The annual Prosperity Index ranks 142 countries across eight categories: the Economy, Entrepreneurship and Opportunity, Governance, Education, Health, Safety and Security, Personal Freedom and Social Capital.
Global competitiveness
The country has been ranked high on many global competitiveness indicators. The 2016 report by the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority reveals that the UAE ranked first regionally and 16th globally, maintaining its lead among the top 20 competitive economies in the world, according to the recent version of the Global Competitiveness Report 2016 issued by the World Economic Forum (Davos) in Switzerland.
The report monitors annual per- formance and competitiveness of the economies of countries in terms of strength, weakness, impact on quality of life, prosperity and the well-being of people, thanks to the efforts of the federal and local taskforces who are working as one team under one vision for 2021.
This year’s report surveys the economies of 138 countries rated through 114 performance indexes and in 12 basic axis, including institutions, infrastructure, education, health, innovation, efficiency of the labour market and other topics. Evaluation is based on statistics and data from participating countries in the report in terms of opinion polls and surveys on executives and major investors in those countries.
The UAE was ranked in the top 10 positions globally in three basic themes in the report. It is also among the top 20 countries globally in half of these axes.
The UAE came in third place globally in the list of efficient goods market, which is the sign of success of the diversification policy of the economy in the state, clarity of vision and strategic plans on the performance and efficiency of the business market.
It also came in fourth place globally in the infrastructure hub, an indication of activity in infrastructural projects across the country and its role in supporting the UAE economy in all areas and sectors, making it an attractive environment for investment and business at the regional and global level.
The UAE was ranked first globally in the absence of impact of crime and violence at work index, and second place globally in the people’s trust in the leadership and lack of wasteful government spending indexes. The UAE ranked in third place globally in the efficient government index.
This reflects the success of the leadership strategy and steps taken toward achieving the high performance and efficiency in the government work at the federal and local levels to ensure the happiness of citizens and residents and well-being on the territory of the state.
Foreign policy
Since the Union was founded, the UAE political leadership has recognized that for the young and evolving Union to endure internal and external challenges to mature into a viable state, they needed a skillful, dynamic management of diplomatic relations with other countries.
With his wisdom and insight, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding father and first president, was able to set out firm principles for a moderate, balanced foreign policy which still guides the UAE’s energetic diplomacy today under the able leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
The policy applies the principles of strengthening bonds of friendship and cooperation with all countries of the world on the tenets of justice, equality, dialogue, mutual respect and understanding and love for goodness for all without exception, good neighborliness, respect of sovereignty and non-interference in the internal affairs of other states.
It also advocates settling all its disputes amicably as per UN Charter and international legitimacy and international laws and conventions, and the promotion of peace, stability, and security in regional and international arenas.
Under the stewardship of Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE diplomacy has built a wide network of strategic relationships and partnerships with countries around the world that has direct influence on the national economy, strengthening its presence and position.
The UAE’s vital role in this regard is highly commended and appreciated by countries all over the world. It is seen both regionally and globally as an example of promoting the values of harmony and coexistence between different cultures and civilizations.
The UAE recognizes that the challenges arising throughout the region and the world are partly due to the absence of the culture of coexistence, the spread of extremism and violence.
Therefore, the UAE calls, in various regional and international fora, for the need to develop strategies for enhancing constructive dialogue between cultures, respecting beliefs and religions and spreading the culture of peace in order to challenge the attempts to distort the values of religions and provoke religious hatred.
In a statement at the General Debate of the 71st Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York last September, H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan set out the UAE’s approach towards many pressing regional and international crises and challenges.
“In our region and beyond, several countries are facing multiple crises and conflicts that ignited after 2011. We have witnessed a number of Arab countries including Yemen, Libya, Iraq, Syria and Somalia that have descended into internal fighting. At the same time, the Palestinian people’s plight continues under the Israeli occupation without a just solution on the horizon that returns to the Palestinian people the rights that were stripped of them, to establish their state on June 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.”
His Highness noted that regional interference in Arab affairs, mainly perpetrated by Iran, the only country in the world with a constitution that explicitly calls for exporting its revolution, has aggravated conflicts in the region.
“The serious challenges facing our region and many other countries require us to reflect together on ways to address these crises and reach consensual, timely and effective solutions, without undermining the existing significant efforts made in this regard,” His Highness said.
“The reality is that prominent powers in these crises, whether regional or international sides, have settled for managing the crises that have struck our region without overcoming them. As a result, the dangers have been exacerbated, rendering these crises difficult to solve without doubled efforts and tremendous financial and human cost.”
“The plight and suffering of the Palestinian people is nearing its seventh decade and has contributed to the increased waves of violence and counter violence due to the sub-par management of crises without seeking serious solutions by major actors and prominent powers, including those responsible for this tragedy,” His Highness explained.
Similarly, Iraq has been suffering for more than a decade from sectarian acts and violence on an almost daily basis, in addition to the control of terrorist groups over a part of its territory, spreading fear and terror in the hearts of the Iraqi people and risking its regional integrity.
“Moreover, the interference of Iran in its internal affairs has exacerbated the factors of division among its people. Yet, there is no comprehensive political solution that promotes consensus among the components of the Iraqi people, and puts an end to the marginalization of whole sections of Iraqi society,” Sheikh Abdullah said.
On Libya, H.H. Sheikh Abdullah said that the UAE also welcomed the Skhirat Agreement reached by the concerned parties in Libya as well as the formation of the Government of National Accord.
“We hope that it will lead to further commitment to Libyan constitution-building, and solidifies cooperation between the Presidential Council and the House of Representatives, which both represent legitimacy in Libya. We also look forward to a unified national position that protects Libya’s territorial soil and maintains the unity of its people.”
The fight against terrorism
As a responsible, committed member of the international community, the United Arab Emirates strongly condemns terrorism and extremism in all forms. By working closely with the United States of America, United Kingdom and other international partners and allies, the UAE is demonstrating its commitment to confront, degrade and eradicate terrorism and extremism across the Middle East and worldwide.
The UAE reaffirms that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security and underlines the need to bring perpetrators, organisers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism to justice.
The UAE reiterates that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed.
The UAE condemns the brutal methods used by terror groups and organisations in the name of Islam and affirms that they have no connection with the tolerant teachings of Islam, which calls for peaceful coexistence and acceptance of others.
In his statement at the General Debate of the 71st Session of the United Nations General Assembly, in New York in September, Foreign Minister H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan said: “We are all aware of the incidents of violence and terrorism which have taken unprecedented forms and used heinous methods, causing fear and terror not only in the Middle East but in many countries of the world, and which proved that violence and terrorism are no longer associated with a certain state or a region, but are global threats, with no borders. Countering terrorist groups is a right and duty of all states.”
The Government of the United Arab Emirates continued to build its counterterrorism capacity and strengthened its international counterterrorism cooperation.
The UAE government remains dedicated to providing strong support for the Global Coalition to Counter Daesh.
Prominent officials and religious leaders continue to publicly criticize violent extremist ideology and decry and criminalise terrorist acts taking place across the world.
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash, in a speech at the Third Abu Dhabi Strategic Debate, ADSD, in November, 2016, said: “The UAE is absolutely committed to combating and overcom- ing extremism and terrorism. The UAE argues that the link between extremist ideologies and terrorist acts is a clear one. We cannot face up to one without the other.”
“Furthermore, we believe that confronting extremism and terrorism is a long drawn out and extended challenge. This understanding is essential in our efforts to confront extremism and terrorism. Various tools are required in this lengthy battle, including control of financial flows and deconstructing the extremist ideology,” he said.
He added that the UAE is an active member of the Global Coalition to Counter Daesh and fully supports the international community’s efforts to degrade and destroy Daesh. The ongoing battle to liberate Mosul is a critical turning point in this effort, he said.
UAE government leaders and senior Emirati officials publicly highlighted the dangers of Daesh and violent extremism, using media to counter Daesh messaging. The UAE is leading efforts to promote tolerance and compassion through Islam, countering the root causes of extremism and disrupting online messages that lead to radicalisation.
The Sawab Centre, a joint collaboration between the UAE and US to counter extremist propaganda and terrorist messaging in the online space, was launched in July 2015 to contest Daesh’s online presence by responding directly to its propaganda through immediate reactive messaging as well as proactive campaigns.
It uses other content that exposes Daesh’s true nature, highlights the successes of the Global Coalition, amplifies regional voices of moderation, and offers an alternative, positive vision that underscores the true values and diversity of Islam.
Under the UAE government’s cybercrime law, the UAE criminalises the use of the internet by terrorist groups to promote their ideologies and finance their activities.
Relations with Korea
As the bilateral ties with the friendly Republic of Korea are concerned, a great progress has been achieved in many areas including since the establishment of these ties in 1980.
It thereby continued its progress to the strategic partnership since 2009. Since then, the relationships are in continuous development and growth in the fields of trade and economic, culture, health and other exchanges, thanks to the support and follow-up by the leaderships in both the two friendly countries.
The mutual visits of the leaders of our two countries, the growing levels of trade and economic, cultural, health and other exchanges, are standing witnesses on the strength of the relationships that bind our countries in all fields.
We look forward to the enhancement, development and expansion of cooperation in all existing fields and new engines of growth in the coming years.