Abu Dhabi - The nation celebrates Shaikh Khalifa accession day today, when he became UAE's second president.
Published: Thu 3 Nov 2016, 5:24 PM
Updated: Thu 3 Nov 2016, 5:45 PM
Since His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE President, Abu Dhabi Ruler and Supreme Commander of the Forces' accession in 2004, UAE has continued the vision of their founding fathers under his dynamic leadership.
Here are some of the major milestones achieved by UAE in the past 12 years:
> Parliamentary election:
On December 1, 2005, Shaikh Khalifa announced that half of the members of the Federal National Council (FNC) would be indirectly elected.
> Biggest donor of foreign aid:
The UAE was the biggest donor of foreign aid in 2013 and 2014, according to the Development Assistance Committee of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
Raise it High: All you need to know about the UAE Flag
> Third safest country in the world:
A report carried out by the World Economic Forum (WEF) this year has revealed that the UAE is the third safest place in the world, with Qatar and Finland ranked second and first respectively.
> Emirates Mars Mission:
The UAE aims to send an unmanned probe to Mars by 2020, although it will not reach the Red Planet until the following year, which marks the UAE's 50th anniversary.
> Year of Reading:
On the directives issued by Shaikh Khalifa, 2016 was declared as Year of Reading to to create a generation of book lovers and consolidate the UAE's position as a global capital for culture and knowledge.
(Photos: Wam)
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