On 2nd December 2012, the United Arab Emirates marks its National Day, celebrating 41 years since the state was established in 1971. For citizens and expatriate residents of the seven component emirates of the federation, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ra's al-Khaimah, Ajman, Umm al-Qaiwain and Fujairah, it has been a year during which the country has continued to thrive and prosper, despite the economic crises that have affected much of the rest of the world and the political turmoil that has continued to engulf much of the Middle East region.
Led by the UAE's founding father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the seven rulers decided to form a federation, to work together to bring prosperity and development to their people. Aided by the vision of Sheikh Zayed, the UAE has since emerged as one of the fastest-growing and most stable countries in the region.
Despite the continuing problems faced by the global economy over the last few years, the UAE, thanks to its wise economic policies, has continued to develop successfully, with further growth confidently predicted for the years ahead.
In a speech to the Federal National Council, (Parliament), at the beginning of November, President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa emphasised the Government's commitment to uphold the country's constitution and the rights and freedoms for citizens and other residents.
This, he said, had helped to make the UAE "a paradise for citizens and others. All live in peace in a tolerant community that is free from segregation and injustice."
This applied, he said, both to men and women, thanks to a firm government policy that women should be given all necessary support to allow them to display their ability and responsibility. As a result, he noted, many now occupy leading positions, Today, women account for around 70 per cent of all university graduates in the country and fill around two thirds of government jobs, providing four members of the Cabinet, several FNC members, ambassadors and even air force pilots, evidence of the country's success in empowering its women.
Urging Council members to play their role as "a supportive and control authority to further strengthen the Government with its vision and innovative ideas," the President went on to pledge continued change, within the framework of the country's traditions and norms, to develop the scope for greater popular participation.
Noting that the role of the FNC had already developed since the launching of a gradualist programme of political empowerment in 2005 particularly since the holding of a second round of elections for the Council's members in 2011, the President told the FNC: "Your membership in this Council is a great trust and responsibility. Governance here belongs to those who have bestowed their trust on you" (the electors). "So be solicitous to maintain your eligibility to have received this trust and be committed to the interests of the country and the citizens."
Members must work, he said, to protect the bonds that link all segments of UAE society, "in our quest to entrench the culture of consultation and participation in decision-making, as well as to emphasise the importance of individual opinions in formulating the opinion of the society."
The guiding principles that underlie the success of the state, originally laid down over forty years ago, remain fundamental elements in the policies of the UAE's Government. One was that the resources deriving from the exploitation of Abu Dhabi's oil and gas reserves should be shared across the country in the development of its infrastructure. A second was that, as Sheikh Zayed put it, 'the country's real wealth is its people', and that, in consequence, particular effort should be made to ensure that they should benefit from the best available access to education, health care and social services, to equip them, both men and women, to play their full part in the country's growth.
A third principle, in recognition of the fact that the UAE was a country that would attract people of many nationalities, was that it should be a country where a spirit of tolerance between those of different communities and faiths should prevail, yet one where its own national culture and heritage should be both cherished and protected. Although firmly committed to the Islamic faith of its citizens, the UAE is now home to over 40 churches and cathedrals as well as to places of worship for other faiths.
And the fourth principle, looking outside the country, was that the UAE was to seek to promote dialogue, co-operation and the resolution of conflicts, both within the Arab world and the broader Islamic community and within the wider international community.