We have pioneers at every Emirati home, says Mohammed

Dubai - Shaikh Mohammed honours 44 distinguished personalities at UAE Pioneers Award 2015.

His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has said that he is proud of UAE nationals, and the country will provide everything to enable them to achieve excellence and become leaders in all fields so that they become ambassadors for the UAE.
He was speaking at a ceremony to honour 44 distinguished personalities during the UAE Pioneers Award 2015 event organised at Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai as part of the 44th National Day celebrations.
"We have today honoured 44 personalities who are UAE pioneers. They are our pride and honouring them is a thank-you message from the Emirati people for their devoted efforts. We have pioneers in every Emirati home in the UAE since early times. They are the individuals who we can count on to lead the UAE's effort to achieve top rankings in all fields and our ambassadors to the world."
Present at the ceremony were Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai; Shaikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai; Shaikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs; Shaikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation; Shaikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development; Shaikh Hamdan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research; Mohammed Abdullah Al Gergawi, Cabinet Affairs Minister and Chairman of the Higher Organizing Committee of 'UAE Pioneers' initiative; a number of ministers and parents and families of the honourees.
During the ceremony, Shaikh Mohammed honoured 44 distinguished Emirati personalities in various fields such as education, health, innovation, technology, sports, arts, culture, media and philanthropy as well as government and military sectors and distinguished initiatives.
Topping the list of those honoured was Ahmed Khalifa Al Suwaidi, the UAE's first Foreign Minister. Shaikh Mohammed said: "We honour Ahmed Al Suwaidi, the first foreign minister and the first to deliver the Union statement. We are proud of him for his efforts to build the UAE."
On the sidelines of the ceremony, Shaikh Mohammed launched the 'UAE Pioneers 2014' book, which is an encyclopedia featuring 43 Emirati leaders and pioneers in their respective fields who were honoured by him at the first edition of the UAE Pioneers initiative last year.
The launching was attended by a number of winners in 2014. During the event the pioneers signed the book and shared their experiences with the audience. The book highlights the initiative as an innovative platform to celebrate the UAE's achievements and promote the culture of excellence among the people of the country. It promotes the ideal of sacrifice for the country and leadership through the stories of the UAE Pioneers, showcasing the success and excellence achieved by each individual and their loyalty to the homeland.
The book, published in cooperation with Dar Kuttab Publishing House, highlights inspiring stories of these personalities who spared no effort to serve the UAE. The book is a national encyclopaedia, which features all the stories and experiences of the winners of the UAE Pioneers initiative, and will serve as a reference guide for future generations.

• Dubai