H.H. Sheikh Khalifa declares 2021 'Year of the 50th'

The UAE President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan has declared 2021 "Year of the 50th", as the nation celebrates its milestone Golden Jubilee from April 6.

The celebrations will continue until March 31 2022.

The declaration is coupled with the announcement of year-long initiatives, activities and grand celebrations.

The events are being organised by the UAE Golden Jubilee Committee under the chairmanship of His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, with Her Highness Sheikha Mariam bint Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan as Deputy Chairwoman. 

Representatives from several federal and local departments are also onboard.

The activities marking "Year of the 50th" have three main pillars; launching the 50th year with festivities for everyone who considers the UAE to be their homeland; calling all UAE nationals to contemplate the nation's past values and achievements in acknowledgement of the Founding Fathers and inspiring young people with their ambitions for the next 50 years, while supporting them to achieve the furtherance of The March of Development, Progress and Prosperity.

محمد بن راشد: عام الخمسين .. عام احتفاء بخمسين عاماً شهدت أسرع مسيرة بناء في تاريخ الدول .. وأفضل مسيرة تنمية شهدتها المنطقة .. وأنبل رحلة لبناء الإنسان .. وهو أيضاً عام استعداد لخمسين قادمة.. خمسين عامرة بالخير.. عميقة في التأثير .. نموذجية في بناء أمل للمنطقة والعالم@HHShkMohd pic.twitter.com/n7llllvsI2

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) March 16, 2021

His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed said the "Year of the 50th" represents a historic defining moment in our journey that started immediately after the declaration of the UAE’s union in 1971. "It’s an acknowledgement of the resolute will and strong determination our Founding Fathers had while building up their nation. It also comes in recognition of the sincere efforts made by our citizens for our nation to be what we are seeing today as one of the best growing and fastest developing countries in the world."

His Highness valued the efforts made by other foreign nationals who have shared the same journey with Emiratis and the efforts to build this young nation.

He added that "'Year of the 50th' is an opportunity to contemplate the achievements made over 50 years at a time when we are gearing up for the next journey."

The celebration includes a series of initiatives to behold the UAE’s revered history, noble values and unique achievements. These initiatives help delineate our future as the nation is heading toward its Centennial. In so doing, the nation will remain committed to building its future by relying on its youth and equipping them with all the skills they need to forge ahead with their plans for the future.

Sheikh Khalifa continued, "We are living in a rapidly changing world. Amid this change, there are opportunities up for grabs to drive innovation and creativity. Therefore, we’ll have to double efforts to generate novel ideas, and quality initiatives to preserve our heritage and values and protect the cultural diversity of our society. As such, these initiatives should contribute to creating a better tomorrow with a brighter future for our nation."

The Golden Jubilee Committee was formed in December 2019 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

In addition to governing the UAE’s Golden Jubilee celebrations, developing a comprehensive preparation plan and forming organisation teams to execute plans to mark the nation’s 50th anniversary in 2021, the Committee is working on a diverse agenda built on four strategic pillars that cover several development initiatives aimed at driving changes through socio-economic and developmental policies for generations to come.

For further information on the Year of the 50th, please visit the following link: www.UAEyearof.ae