Abu Dhabi- Addressing the nation on the occasion of the 45th National Day, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates said that the government is confidently progressing to deliver indicators of the National Agenda leading to the UAE Vision 2021 which seeks to develop and improve conditions in areas of justice, security, economy, environment, living standards, housing, education, health and infrastructure.

“The government has adopted and approved national policies and strategies for innovation, creativity, excellence, reading, research and development, the future, housing, women and youth empowerment and happiness. In this respect, the Emirates Council for Youth and the Emirates Council for Scientists were set up,” said Sheikh Khalifa.

“We will continue to raise the banner of peace, development and cooperation. And here, we appreciate the GCC and Arab support for the UAE’s historic right to its three islands: Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb and Abu Mousa, occupied by Iran,” he added.

“We affirm that we will never give up our right to sovereignty over these islands as there will be no settlement to the issue with the occupying neighbor Iran except through directing bilateral negotiations or international arbitration in a way that considers good neighborliness, and that augments opportunities for security and stability in the Arabian Gulf region. This situation, allied with other ongoing crises and turmoil in the region, requires the GCC to mobilize energies and work together in good faith to bolster inter-Gulf relations and unify visions so as to confront common challenges and threats, scale up strategic coordination and cooperation regarding developments of the situation in the region and the world alike.”

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, has said that “as we celebrate the 45th anniversary of the UAE National Day under the wise leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, we recall the intrinsic values that brought the founding fathers together to establish the federation.”

He added that the nation is continually inspired by their insights, their sacrifices, and their strong will.

In a speech to Dira’a Al Watan, The Nation Shield magazine, on the occasion of the 45th National Day, Sheikh Mohamed spoke about how the people of the UAE have demonstrated, in action rather than in words, their sincere and genuine support of their wise leadership, and their willingness to make sacrifices for their nation’s present and future.

His Highness declared that the UAE is a nation of tolerance, peace, cultural diversity, and coexistence, saying that UAE law guarantees respect and dignity for everyone, and criminalizes hate, racism and all forms of discrimination.

More so, his Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, said celebrating National Day is a chance to evaluate the country’s achievements and performance during the past year, as every year is a leap in the journey of the UAE’s great union.

Sheikh Mohammed added that securing a prominent and leading place for the UAE in the future depends on its competence to foresee the future and the efficiency of both government and private sectors in keeping pace with future changes, adapting to its requirements in a timely manner.

Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid said: “Our Armed Forces heroes are sharing the celebrations with us while answering the call of their national, humanitarian and moral duty, locked in battles in support of what is right and to counter the aggression on the brotherly Yemen, extinguishing the forces of evil and sedition’s fire before their sparks ignite fires in our region and the Arab world.”

“In our quest into the future, we realize that our success in securing a prominent and leading place for our country depends on our competence in foreseeing what is ahead of us, as well as on the efficiency of both government and private sectors in keeping pace with future changes and adapting to its requirements in a timely manner.”

He said: “The UAE government, in its current structure, plans, programs and projects, is the government of the future. We want our society to be the society of the future, too.”

His Highness noted, “We continue to build our infrastructure, digital structure, and different vital sectors, and in the meantime, our economy has continued to grow. And despite the continuously degrading global economy and international trade, the UAE has also made great progress in diversifying its economy.”

Sheikh Mohammed continued, “In this time of the ‘fourth industrial revolution,’ the UAE has chosen to be involved and positively active as it participates at the forefront of this revolution. Our role in this is essential, at both regional and global levels.”