ABU DHABI, UAE — On Thursday, the UAE completed 200 days under President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, during which he has strengthened the frameworks of national sustainable development and enhanced the country’s regional and international stature.
President Sheikh Mohamed’s decisions, contributions and meetings since his election as UAE President on May 14, 2022, have proven that the country is advancing steadily towards a new era of development and international leadership.
On the 51st National Day, let’s recount some of the key decisions, contributions and meetings of President Sheikh Mohamed during the first 200 days of his presidency.
A New Era
President Sheikh Mohamed began his rule by visiting his brothers, Supreme Council Members and Rulers of the Emirates, to discuss several issues related to the nation and its citizens.
The visits underscored his keenness to meet with Emiratis and exchange friendly conversations with them, confirmed the UAE’s leaderships’s efforts to improve the quality of life for citizens and provide them with decent lives while affirming that citizens will always be the leading priority of the nation.
Features
In a televised speech on July 13, 2022, President Sheikh Mohamed highlighted the main features of the upcoming era to the UAE’s citizens and residents.
“Empowering the UAE’s people is and will remain the priority of our nation. Ensuring citizens’ comfort and happiness is the core of all our future plans,” he said in his speech, stressing that the UAE’s policy will always support peace and stability in the region and the entire world, based on wisdom and cooperation to achieve the interests of humanity.
Global Summits
As of May 14, 2022, President Sheikh Mohamed has participated in many international summits and meetings, underscoring the UAE’s prominent stature in the international community and its leading international role in promoting security and stability.
He remotely participated in the Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate Change on June 17, 2022.
On July 14, 2022, he remotely participated in the I2U2 group meeting involving the UAE, the US, India and Israel.
He also participated in the Jeddah Security and Development Summit hosted by Saudi Arabia on July 16, 2022, which was attended by the leaders of Egypt, Jordan, Iraq and the US.
President Sheikh Mohamed attended the Al Alamein Meeting organized by Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, President of Egypt, held on August 23, 2022, with the attendance of King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, King of Bahrain, and King Abdullah II bin Al Hussein, King of Jordan.
During a video call on November 2, 2022, President Sheikh Mohamed and Joe Biden, President of the US, discussed the historic friendship and strategic partnership between their countries.
President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan led the country’s delegation to the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference or Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC, more commonly referred to as COP27, held in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt on November 7, 2022.
President Sheikh Mohamed participated in the inauguration session of the 17th G20 summit hosted by Indonesia on November 15, 2022.
Foreign Visits
The foreign visits conducted by President Sheikh Mohamed boosted the country’s international presence, reinforcing its foreign policy approach that relies on diversifying relations and strengthening strategic partnerships regionally and globally.
His foreign visits have driven the efforts to ensure world security and stability. The visits included signing memoranda of understanding and agreements strengthening the bilateral ties between the UAE and several countries.
France
The first visit by President Sheikh Mohamed abroad was to the French Republic on July 18, 2022, in which he discussed with the French President, Emmanuel Macron, the historical ties between the two countries and the promising opportunities of boosting cooperation ties.
Seychelles
On August 12, 2022, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed visited the friendly Republic of Seychelles, as he discussed with the President of Seychelles, Wavel Ramkalawan, ways of strengthening mutual ties.
Egypt
On August 21, 2022, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed paid a fraternal visit to the Arab Republic of Egypt, during which he met with the Egyptian President, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.
During the meeting, the two sides discussed bilateral cooperation and the promising opportunities to boost the strategic partnership between the two countries, most notably in economic and development areas.
Greece
On August 25, 2022, President Sheikh Mohamed visited Athens, Greece. During the official visit, he discussed ways of strengthening the joint cooperation between the two countries with senior leaders and officials.
Oman
On September 27, 2022, President Sheikh Mohamed reached Oman on an invitation with Sultan Haitham bin Tariq, Sultan of Oman.
The visit comprised the signing of several memoranda of understanding and cooperation agreements between the two countries.
Serbia
On October 10, 2022, President Sheikh Mohamed and Serbian President, Aleksandar Vučić discussed the different areas of the bilateral ties between the two countries.
Russia
On October 11, 2022, President Sheikh Mohamed headed to St Petersburg to meet with the Russian President, Vladimir Putin.
During the visit, he stressed the UAE’s keenness to strengthen the foundations of peace and stability in the world, reducing tensions and finding diplomatic solutions to various conflicts.
Bahrain
On November 10, 2022, President Sheikh Mohamed arrived at the Bahrain capital Manama, on an official visit, where he and Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, King of Bahrain, discussed fraternal ties between the two countries and ways of boosting them in all areas.
Indonesia
On November 14, 2022, President Sheikh Mohamed and Joko Widodo, President of Indonesia, discussed ways of strengthening the bilateral ties between the two countries.
Receiving Various Leaders
The UAE President has received several Arab and foreign leaders who discussed ways of boosting bilateral ties between the UAE and their respective countries, in addition to several issues of mutual concern.
Foreign aid
The UAE continued its humanitarian policy and mission based on extending a helping hand to affected communities around the world through relief and humanitarian programs and projects that alleviate the suffering of those communities and promote their development.
On May 19, 2022, President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan ordered the provision of AED35 million of urgent humanitarian aid to Somalia to support its developmental efforts.
The UAE’s initiative aimed to help meet the needs of the Somali people in various developmental areas, in an effort to improve their living conditions and enhance the Somali government’s capacity to deal with the humanitarian challenges facing Somalia.
Under the directives of President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE operated an air bridge carrying food and medical supplies to Afghanistan, in addition to a medical team and field hospital.
The aid shipment came as part of the UAE’s efforts to address the current situation in Afghanistan and its contribution to alleviate the impact of the disaster that struck south-east Afghanistan.
On June 9, President Sheikh Mohamed pledged US$25 million to Al Makassed Hospital in East Jerusalem, to expands its medical supplies services.
The current pledge comes as part of the UAE’s ongoing efforts to support Palestinian healthcare institutions, and to meet the needs of the Palestinian people.
The 250-bed Makassed Hospital, which was established in 1968, plays a key role in providing healthcare to the Palestinian community. It offers a full range of services, including cardiology, orthopedics, paediatric medicine, and neurology, in addition to providing comprehensive healthcare services. It is also serves as teaching hospital and a research facility.
On August 20, President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has ordered the provision of AED 25 million of urgent humanitarian aid to those affected and displaced due to torrential rains and floods in Sudan, to help alleviate their suffering and improve their living conditions.
On August 27, President Sheikh Mohamed ordered the provision of urgent relief aid to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, which hit by torrential rains and floods that have resulted in deaths, injuries and displacements.
On October 18, 2022, President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed has ordered the provision of additional humanitarian relief aid worth US$100 million to Ukrainian civilians affected by the Ukraine crisis.
Resolutions and decrees
President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed attached special importance to strengthening and developing the legislative system. issued a number of laws and decisions that contribute to supporting the state’s development and progress, and consolidating its prestigious position globally.
President Sheikh Mohamed ordered the completion of all housing grant applications submitted in previous years through the Sheikh Zayed Housing Program, at a total cost of around AED 2.3 billion.
The move is part of the Initiatives of the UAE President and aligns with his keenness to enhance family stability for UAE citizens, as well as ensure decent living and improve the quality of life of UAE citizens.
The implementation of housing projects is among the UAE’s most admirable achievements, as well as a key pillar in the country’s comprehensive development journey, he said in conclusion.
Sheikh Mohamed has issued a directive granting children of Emirati mothers in the UAE the same benefits as other citizens for education and health. The decision will ensure children of all citizens receive equal treatment in those sectors. The move was made in line with efforts to support the families of children of female citizens.
President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed has directed the restructuring of the Social Welfare Program of low-income citizens into an integrated program worth AED28 billion instead of AED14 billion. The move aimed at raising the annual social support allocation from AED2.7 billion to AED5 billion.
The directive of President Sheikh Mohamed embodies his keenness to support low-income Emirati families to ensure family and social stability and provide the citizens with a decent life.
In implementation of the directives of President Sheikh Mohamed, the Non-performing Debt Relief Fund has announced that 17 banks and financial institutions have waived the debts of 1,214 Emirati citizens, with a total value of more than AED536,230,000.
The President has also issued Decree Federal Law No.9 for 2022 on domestic helpers to strengthen domestic labor rights. The aims to regulate the employment relationship of domestic helpers in the UAE, as well as set and balance the rights and responsibilities of all relevant parties involved.
President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed issued Federal Decree-Law No. 25 of 2022 regarding the regulation and development of industry.
The new law was introduced to support the organization and development of the national industrial sector by increasing the flexibility to adopt more supportive policies and provide incentives. The law aims to be a key enabler for the industrial sector, increase its investment attractiveness, and encourage local and foreign investment in industrial activities, in coordination with federal and local authorities. — WAM