UAE bids farewell to 2019 with notable achievements
In 2019, the UAE enhanced its reputation as a global centre of tolerance, through the signing of the ‘Human Fraternity Document,’ the papal mass in Abu Dhabi
In a few days, the UAE will bid farewell to the ‘Year of Tolerance,’ with achievements that have reached out to space with Hazza Al Mansoori’s astonishing spaceflight, as well as offering humanity the first ‘Document on Human Fraternity’ during Pope Francis’ visit to the country and raising the parliamentary participation of women to 50 percent during this year’s Federal National Council elections.
The UAE Cabinet, led by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, continued its efforts to explore the future and promote sustainable development, to achieve the UAE Vision 2021.
The UAE continued implementing its wise foreign policy and managing its relations with the rest of the world, as part of the significant efforts and official meetings of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, with world leaders, which have helped reinforce the UAE’S strategic partnerships and strengthen its prominent stature in the international community.
In the following report, the Emirates News Agency, WAM, highlights some of the country’s main achievements in 2019:
In 2019, the UAE enhanced its reputation as a global centre of tolerance, through the signing of the ‘Human Fraternity Document,’ the papal mass in Abu Dhabi, the establishment of the Abrahamic Family House, the hosting of the World Tolerance Summit, and other related initiatives.
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.
The UAE also 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.
In 2019, the UAE held the fourth Federal National Council elections, which raised the parliamentary participation of Emirati women to 50 percent, reflecting the belief of the country’s leadership in their capabilities, as well as its keenness to involve them in the political decision-making process.
The election recorded an increase in the number of members of electoral bodies (people eligible to vote) reaching over 337,000, while the total number of votes around the country reached 117,592, or 34.81 percent of the number of potential voters.
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 UAE strengthened its regional and international presence to reinforce the global efforts in countering terrorism and extremism, and maintain regional and international security and stability.
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 Emirati passport also preserved it ranking as the world’s most powerful passport, based on Global Passport Power Rank, Passport Index 2019’s rankings.
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.