Khalifa leaves enduring legacy
UAE has its second President to thank for profound developmental and social gains
President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan passed away yesterday at the age of 73. In a statement issued yesterday, the Ministry of Presidential Affairs also confirmed the death of Shaikh Khalifa. “The Ministry of Presidential Affairs mourns the death of the nation’s President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan,” the statement read.
Shaikh Khalifa was the second President of the UAE and the 16th Ruler of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. He assumed the federal constitutional authority as President of the UAE and became Ruler of the emirate of Abu Dhabi on November 3, 2004, succeeding his father Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who passed away on November 2, 2004.
Shaikh Khalifa was born in 1948 in the eastern region of the emirate of Abu Dhabi and received his primary education in the city of Al Ain, which was the administrative hub for the region. He is the eldest son of the late Shaikh Zayed and his mother is Shaikha Hissa Bint Mohammad Bin Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Key role
Shaikh Khalifa belongs to the tribe of Bani Yas, which is considered to be the mother tribe for most of the Arab tribes that settled in what is known today as the UAE. This tribe led an alliance of the Arab tribes, which is historically known as ‘Bani Yas Alliance’. He followed his late father Shaikh Zayed in all the stages of his life. He was first appointed as the Ruler’s Representative and Chief of Courts in the Eastern Region on 18th of September 1966. This position was of great significance in his life. While Shaikh Khalifa was staying in city of Al Ain, he received the opportunity to remain in contact with UAE citizens on a daily basis, and became aware of their needs, aspirations and hopes.
Early public life
He was appointed as Crown Prince of the emirate of Abu Dhabi on the 1st of February 1969 and head of defence department. While in this position, Shaikh Khalifa assumed the leadership of defence forces in the emirate and played a key role in its development, turning it from a small force into a multifunction unit armed with the most modern equipment.
On May 1, 1971, Shaikh Khalifa took up the position of president of the first local Cabinet for the emirate of Abu Dhabi and assumed the portfolios of defence and finance in the Cabinet.
In February of 1974, and following the annulment of the local Cabinet, Shaikh Khalifa became the first President of the Executive Council that replaced the Cabinet of the emirate.
During his tenure as President of the Executive Council, Shaikh Khalifa gave considerable attention to the modernisation of infrastructure projects as well as development of various services. He also strived to build a modern administrative apparatus, and fully integrated legislative regulations, identifying them as fundamental to the social and economic development process. In addition to his responsibilities as President of the Executive Council, He was in charge of establishment and presidency of Abu Dhabi Investment Authority in 1976.
One of the major development initiatives of profound social impact made by Shaikh Khalifa was the establishment of social services and commercial buildings department, commonly known as ‘Shaikh Khalifa Committee’. Activities of the department contributed to the development of construction activities in the emirate of Abu Dhabi.
Modern outlook
He also assumed the position of Deputy Supreme Commander of UAE Armed Forces, during which he gave special attention to the development of the armed forces. Under Shaikh Khalifa, the armed forces achieved a great leap in the adoption of modern technologies and advanced training methods. Shaikh Khalifa formulated a military creed based on a state policy of nonintervention in others’ affairs and respect for mutual interests.
After he assumed office, the first strategic plan for the government of the UAE was launched under his leadership.
In addition, Shaikh Khalifa also launched an initiative for developing legislative authority in order to modify the technique of selecting members of the Federal National Council combining the process of election and appointment as a first step.