Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed elected UAE president

Abu Dhabi / WAM

The Federal Supreme Council on Saturday unanimously elected His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan as President of the United Arab Emirates.
The council held a meeting on Saturday at Al Mushrif Palace in Abu Dhabi, chaired by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
The meeting was attended by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan; HH Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah; HH Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ajman; HH Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Fujairah; HH Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mu’alla, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Umm Al Qaiwain; and HH Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah.
A statement issued by the Ministry of Presidential Affairs said that according to Article 51 of the Constitution, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan was unanimously elected as the President of the UAE to succeed the late Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Their Highnesses, the Supreme Council Members and Rulers of the Emirates have reaffirmed their keenness to continue implementing the authentic values and principles laid down by the late deceased, Sheikh Khalifa, following on from the founding father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. These have consolidated the UAE’s status at both regional and global levels.
The Federal Supreme Council expressed its full confidence that the people of the UAE will remain, as Sheikh Zayed and the founders believed, “a faithful guardian of the Union and its gains at all levels”.
Their Highnesses wished HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan success in serving his people and country.
HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed expressed his appreciation for the precious trust placed in him by his brothers, Their Highnesses the Supreme Council Members and Rulers of the Emirates, praying to the Almighty to guide and help him to bear the responsibility of this great trust and to fulfill its tasks of serving his country and people.
Sharjah Ruler congratulates Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed on his election as UAE President
HH Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, has affirmed that the election of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan represents an extension of the rapidly developing advancement of the United Arab Emirates.
“As he has witnessed the UAE’s renaissance from a young age, accompanied by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and the Founding Leaders, President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has significantly contributed to UAE’s development and achievements due to his wise vision, constant support and direct guidance,” Sheikh Sultan said.
“We congratulate President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and ask Allah Almighty to grant him success and prosperity. We affirm our permanent solidarity in serving the nation and preserving its union under his wise leadership,” he added.

Ajman Ruler congratulates Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed on election as UAE President
HH Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ajman, said that the election of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan as UAE President affirms the absolute confidence and deep appreciation for his wise leadership.
“The election of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan assures the continuation of the country’s path as it advances politically, economically, socially and culturally,” the Ruler of Ajman said. “I congratulate His Highness and wish him continued success, and the people of the UAE progress and prosperity under his wise leadership.”

Fujairah Ruler congratulates Mohamed bin Zayed on election as UAE President
HH Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Fujairah, has affirmed that the election of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan as the UAE President marks a new historical era for the country.
“His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed is a generous and loving leader. He is the protector of our country, a partner and a brother to all the people of the Emirates,” Sheikh Hamad said.
“Today, this election comes as a continuation of the country’s development path and the consolidation of prestige that the UAE assumed during the era of the Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed, and the rule of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. I congratulate His Highness and wish him great success, and reaffirm the absolute trust of the UAE’s people in his leadership,” he added.

UAQ Ruler greets Mohamed bin Zayed on election as UAE President
HH Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mu’alla, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Umm Al Qaiwain, has said that the election of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan as President of the UAE represents a continuation of the legacy started by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed and the Founding Leaders.
HH Sheikh Saud praised the wise vision of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and his tremendous efforts and unlimited support in what the UAE has achieved at the local, regional and global levels, and wished him great success in leading the country and serving its people.

RAK Ruler greets Mohamed bin Zayed on election as UAE President
HH Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, has said that the election of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan by a unanimous decision of the Federal Supreme Council as UAE’s President, affirms the trust of the Council and the UAE people in his wise vision.
“We trust in the vision and leadership of my brother, President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, in whom we see the wisdom of the Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and the determination of the late Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan,” Sheikh Saud said.
“At this historical stage of our history, we affirm our support to President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and we pledge to work under his wise leadership to achieve more progress and prosperity, and lead the country towards a bright future that meets the aspirations of its people,” he added.

OIC Secretary-General greets Mohamed bin Zayed on his election as UAE President
Hussein Ibrahim Taha, Secretary-General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), has congratulated His Highness Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on his election as the President of the UAE, affirming that he is the best successor to a great predecessor.
Secretary-General Taha said that President His Highness Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan will continue the path laid by the Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and the late Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed, with his wise vision that will enhance the UAE’s position as one of the leading models among the OIC member states and the world.
He also extended his congratulations to the Emirati people on the election of His Highness and their support for his leadership, highlighting the unity and the consensus that pervades the Emirates.

GCC Secretary-General congratulates Mohamed bin Zayed on election as UAE President
Dr Nayef Falah Mubarak Al Hajraf, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), on Saturday congratulated His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on his election as President of the UAE.
Al Hajraf expressed his confidence that the UAE’s march would go on steadily and strongly amid the smooth power transition and consensus on the election of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed as an inspirational leader for a bright future.
He added that while ushering in a new landmark stage led by Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, the UAE would certainly complete its pioneering role and bolster its accomplishments, and look forward to the future so confidently and firmly as a development model that gains the world’s respect and admiration.
The GCC Secretary-General expressed his sincere congratulations to the leadership and people of the United Arab Emirates, praying to Allah Almighty to perpetuate security, prosperity and stability under the wise leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and the rulers of the Emirates.

Mohamed bin Zayed, the ideal successor to an exemplary leader: Khalid bin Zayed
HH Sheikh Khalid bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Board of Zayed Higher Organisation for People of Determination, affirmed that President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan is the ideal successor to an exemplary leader, and will help bring about further development, pride and glory in the UAE.
Sheikh Khalid said, “We pledge allegiance to His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan as the President of the UAE, and vow to follow his directives. We pray to Allah Almighty to support him in navigating such a great responsibility, and leading our journey of giving and development.”

Grand Imam of Al-Azhar congratulates Mohamed bin Zayed on election as UAE President
Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayyeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, has congratulated President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on his election as President of the UAE.
In a post published on his official Facebook and Twitter accounts, Dr. Al-Tayyeb said, “While sympathising with my dear brother, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, over losing his brother, the late Sheikh Khalifa, I would like to congratulate him, and pray to Allah Almighty to grant him the strength to succeed as the UAE’s president and leader, and pick up the torch from his wise brother in serving his country and nation and spreading justice and good.”

Senator Ian Gorst congratulates Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed on being elected UAE President
The External Relations Minister of the British Channel Island of Jersey, Senator Ian Gorst, has congratulated His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on being elected as the UAE President, expressing his hope for a further consolidation of bilateral relations.
“Congratulations and best wishes to Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed as he takes on the role of UAE President, succeeding his late brother,” Senator Gorst said in a tweet earlier today. “I look forward to further consolidation of the excellent relations between Jersey and the UAE.”

NHRI congratulates President Mohamed bin Zayed
Maqsoud Kruse, Chairperson of the National Human Rights Institution (NHRI), has congratulated His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on his election as the President of the UAE.
Kruse also congratulated Sheikh Mohamed on behalf of the NHRI Deputy Chairperson and the Board of Trustees, wishing him wellbeing and success in performing his duties and continuing to elevating the UAE’s status worldwide.
“We congratulate the UAE and its people for the decision Their Highnesses the Supreme Council Members and Rulers of the Emirates made while unanimously electing His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan as President of the UAE, a choice that in no uncertain way evidences the great trust placed by the nation in him. We pray to Allah Almighty to bring him success, and to aid him in his drive to advance the UAE’s efforts to ensure protection of human rights and achieve more progress and prosperity for the nation,” he said in conclusion.

VP congratulates Sheikh Mohamed
on election as President of UAE

Abu Dhabi / WAM

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, said that President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan carries the legacy of his father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid affirmed that the election of HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed as the UAE’s President represents a new historic era of accelerating development aimed at consolidating the global sovereignty and pioneering of the Emirates.
HH Sheikh Mohammed said, “We pledge our allegiance to His Highness, and renew people’s faith on him. We ask Allah Almighty to protect him and grant him success to lead the country to a bright future.”

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid’s statement on unanimous election by Federal Supreme Council on Saturday of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan as UAE’s President is as follows:
“On this remarkable day in the history of our country, and after the UAE bid farewell to the father and second leader, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Federal Supreme Council in Abu Dhabi has elected His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan as President of the United Arab Emirates.
The UAE begins a new stage in its history today with this leader whom his people have known for many years and recognised him as a global leader who established firm strategic relations for his country with the whole world.
His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan carries the legacy of Sheikh Zayed. He is the guardian of values, principles and focus that Sheikh Zayed instilled when he established this country with his brothers, the rulers of the Emirates. Today, his assumption of the responsibility of the presidency represents a new historical era and a new birth. We look forward to the acceleration of development aimed at consolidating the global sovereignty and pioneering of the Emirates.
For many years, the people of the Emirates have loved His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for his generosity and kindness. They saw him visit them in their homes, motivate them in their fields of work, and they witnessed the launching of development projects, new industries, and the construction of national economic sectors through many years of service to his country and people.
Today, the people pledge allegiance to him and follow his guidance to lead them into a new historical path in the UAE, in which future generations will rejoice their third president, and the world will also jubilate in a country that represents a future global model that carries kindness and brotherhood for all humanity.
We pledge our allegiance to His Highness, and renew people’s faith on him. We ask Allah Almighty to protect him and grant him success to lead the country to a bright future.”

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed: A Leader-born President
The UAE, on May 14, pledged allegiance to the UAE new president, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, as the leader of the nation’s march, amidst a deep belief in his ability to continue to forge ahead with the nation’s illustrious drive of glory, development and construction.
President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan is a leader of high calibre, who made a difference at the local level, and achieved remarkable milestones in terms of promoting peace and security regionally and globally, while promoting tolerance and peaceful coexistence between religions and societies, and setting an example to be emulated for humanitarian work.
Born on March 11th, 1961, Sheikh Mohamed is the third son of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, from whom he learned the arts of governance and leadership.
He was educated at schools in Al Ain and Abu Dhabi until the age of 18. In 1979, he joined the prestigious Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, where he trained in armour, helicopter flying, tactical flying and paratroops. After graduating in April 1979, he returned home to the UAE to join the Officers’ Training Course in Sharjah, another Emirate of the UAE. He has held a number of roles in the UAE military, from that of Officer in the Amiri Guard (the UAE’s elite security force) and Pilot in the UAE Air Force, to his current role as Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.
Guided by the directives of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and late Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed helped develop the UAE Armed Forces in terms of strategic planning, training, organisational structure and promoting defense capabilities. Sheikh Mohamed’s direct guidance and leadership led the UAE Armed Forces to become a leading institution that is widely admired by many international military organisations.
Among his many interests, His Highness is known for his unwavering commitment to enhance educational standards in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and raise them to be on par with the best international standards. Since Sheikh Mohamed took on the Chairmanship of the Abu Dhabi Education Council, he has worked tirelessly to forge partnerships with prestigious world-class educational institutions and think-tanks, a number of which have subsequently announced plans to either establish a base in or join strategic joint ventures with existing academic establishments.
His Highness is known, and for a long time, to be the directing force behind many initiatives that contributed into supporting and motivating the economic growth and diversity of the emirate of Abu Dhabi, in addition to the construction boom achieved by the emirate at the level of housing for citizens and health and recreational facilities and other fields.
At the federal level, the insightful vision of His Highness and his wise leadership contributed to the renaissance of the modern UAE and the consolidation of its position as an ideal global destination at various levels. The umbrella of security, stability, prosperity, sustainable development and social welfare, established by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, is one of the most prominent achievements that reflect his quest to ensure social welfare and economic wellbeing for the UAE citizens
HH Sheikh Mohamed believes that investing in education is the most valuable investment for delivering the future of a nation. Therefore, he has always been determined to provide national educational institutions with the latest state-of-the-art technology and know-how to keep pace with the rapid and multi-faceted changes taking place globally across all fronts.
His Highness’ keynote speech during the World Government Summit in 2015 still resonates, constituting a historic milestone in the UAE, wherein he provided an insightful view of building an economy driven by knowledge and innovation. His words opened the doors of trust about the future of the country, and turned the fear of running out of oil and gas after 50 years into a broader optimism about the future.
Despite his heavy political, legislative and economic responsibilities in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and the UAE in general, environmental protection has received great care and attention from His Highness Sheikh Mohamed. He was instrumental in establishing the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, and has led significant conservation efforts to protect falcons and houbara bustards in the UAE and internationally.
The late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan issued his directives to establish programmes to protect the Arabian Oryx, such as breeding and protecting the wild animals from extinction, whilst reintroducing them back into their natural habitat. Following this, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, launched a similar programme in 2007, which is part of the Abu Dhabi government’s vision to create a regional herd that reflects all programmes for the resettlement of Arabian oryxes in their range countries.
In January 2008, His Highness announced that the Abu Dhabi Government would contribute US$15 billion to Masdar, the global standard-setting alternative and renewable energy initiative based in Abu Dhabi and developer of the world’s first carbon-neutral, zero-waste city.
His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed always seeks to revive the noble human values ??of religion, and strengthen the spirit of fraternity among human beings, and with an insightful vision, and determination, he succeeded in extending bridges of communication and peace with all leaders and peoples the world, promoting a culture of tolerance to put an end to many of global crises, while shielding the nation and the region against the menacing threats posed by those falsely donning the cloak of Islam while instigating extremism and terrorism around the world.
After the UAE named 2019 as the “Year of Tolerance”, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed received His Holiness Pope Francis, Head of the Catholic Church, and His Eminence the Grand Imam Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Sheikh Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, and the global meeting in the capital Abu Dhabi resulted in the signing of the Human Fraternity Document to be a guide to promoting a culture of mutual respect and dialogue for peaceful coexistence and fraternity among human beings.
Just as His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan spared no effort to spread the values ??of tolerance, he has been dedicated to serving humanity at large, providing assistance to brotherly and friendly countries, by concluding agreements that carry the meanings of peace, coexistence and cooperation. He also directed the nation’s humanitarian arm, Emirates Red Crescent, along with other charitable societies, to provide a helping hand to peoples afflicted by wars or the effects of disasters and crises.
The great role played by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed in strengthening the UAE and the world’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic is undeniable and acclaimed worldwide. His efforts contributed to making the UAE one of the first countries to succeed in overcoming the pandemic and ensure the transition to recovery and normalcy. At the same time, His Highness sent various types of material and in-kind assistance to brotherly and fraternal nations during the pandemic.
In the same context, the initiative of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to eradicate polio in several countries highlights the UAE’s campaign to combat the disease. Since 2011, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed has donated US$247.8 million (AED911.4 million) to humanitarian and charity efforts aimed at providing vaccines and financing polio eradication campaigns most notably in countries targeted by his initiative. He launched the Reaching the Last Mile Fund to raise US$100 million with the aim of eradicating, eliminating, and controlling preventable diseases that hinder the health and economic prospects of the world’s poorest people. He committed US$20 million to the Fund, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation pledged to contribute up to US$20 million.
The aim of this 10-year Fund is to support the elimination of two debilitating and preventable neglected diseases: river blindness, and lymphatic filariasis.
The march of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has been marked by historic positions that were taken for the sake of strengthening cooperation and solidarity with brotherly Arab nations and standing by them. His Highness has never hesitated to support regional stability and address all challenges and threats that affect the security of the region, foremost of which is terrorism and extremist. Internationally, His Highness always took the initiative of trying to stop global conflicts, quell struggles and defuse disputes, and achieving reconciliation, in quest for world peace and in pursuit of ending bloodsheds, in order to protect human beings and preserve their dignity.

Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed man of peace, compassion: HCHF

Abu Dhabi / WAM

The Higher Committee of Human Fraternity (HCHF) has mourned the death of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who passed away on Friday.
In a statement, the HCHF said Sheikh Khalifa departed after a journey full of giving, during which he planted goodness, compassion and peace for all of humanity following in the footsteps of his wise father, the late founding father of the UAE, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
The HCHF appreciated Sheikh Khalifa’s tremendous efforts to promote values of coexistence, compassion and tolerance.
”As the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity mourns the late Sheikh Khalifa, it extends its sincere condolences to His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Ruler of Abu Dhabi, the patron of human fraternity — and to the people of the United Arab Emirates,” the statement added.

Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed one of great leaders

Abu Dhabi / WAM

Dr Abdulrahman Al Awar, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation, has mourned the passing of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, saying that, “history will remember His Highness Sheikh Khalifa as one of the great leaders.”
In a statement on Saturday, Al Awar said, “I extend my sincerest condolences and heartfelt sympathy to our wise leadership, the honourable Al Nahyan family and to our nation on the passing of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.”
“History will remember HHSheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan as one of the great leaders. As a proud successor and visionary leader, he followed faithfully in the footsteps of our late founding father Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan,” he added.