H.H. Sheikh Khalifa expresses pride at nation's milestones

As the UAE gears up for its Golden Jubilee celebrations, President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan has praised the nation's incredible achievements over the last 50 years and outlined its vision for the next 50.

In a statement to the UAE Armed Forces' magazine Nation Shield, Sheikh Khalifa said "the UAE will continue to steadily pursue a solid ecosystem of well-established values and principles, with human capital lying at the heart of UAE Strategy for the Future".

The President emphasized how the future will embrace the same guidelines put forward by the founding fathers of the nation that shined the spotlight on "sustainable development".

"It’s this resilient set of legislation that’s enabled our nation to establish a coherent society with a knowledge-based, innovation-driven economy, a world-class healthcare system, an advanced education sector, an integrated modern infrastructure, environmental sustainability, and an enviable status in global competitiveness rankings," he added.

Sheikh Khalifa also shed light on key milestones with a special focus on diversifying the economy by turning the "UAE into a regional hub for renewable and clean energy" with the launch of the region's first multi-unit nuclear plant and adopting a national strategy to "retain and attract talent in a way that further reinforces the UAE’s stature on the Gulf, Arab, Islamic and global levels".

The country also made history by sending the first Emirati astronaut into space, took crucial steps in empowering women and hosted the landmark Expo 2020 Dubai, 

"We have introduced to the world an inspiring development success story, which has rendered our country a leading regional and international financial centre, and a sought-after place to live, work, invest and travel," Sheikh Khalifa added.

Additionally, the President said the UAE will continue to pursue regional and global peace, which will lead the country's foreign policy.

With the next 50 in mind, the President expressed confidence that the nation will be "amongst the best in the world thanks to a sustainable and vibrant economy".

"Thanks to this enviable track record of achievements, we're ushering in the next 50 years of our history with a comprehensive, long-term, and well-thought-out strategic vision, based on meticulous pursuance of excellence to secure a brighter future for future generations."