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Abu Dhabi Government's 50 years: Poised for a brighter future

On the 50th anniversary of the Executive Council - the first government that helped to shape Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan's vision for the emirate's future - His Highness Shaikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in the Western Region, said that the Government of Abu Dhabi is constantly seeking to elevate performance standards and to achieve excellence in providing quality services.
In a statement made on the 50th anniversary of the Abu Dhabi Government, Shaikh Hamdan congratulated President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and His Highness Shaikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, on the occasion.
Thanks to the vision of His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and His Highness Shaikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the emirate is making solid progress in realising its goals of diversifying economy by minimising dependence on oil and gas, maintaining a confident society and a robust, open and competitive economy, he added.
Shaikh Hamdan paid tribute to the UAE's founder, the late Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who, when he became the Ruler of Abu Dhabi in 1966, made it very clear that the real asset of any nation is its people.
"The Government of Abu Dhabi adopted a future path through its Vision 2030 to transform into knowledge-based economy, to promote non-oil sectors and to increase non-oil trade," she said.
HH Shaikh Tahnoun bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Ruler's Representative in the Eastern Region, said the directives given by President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, have left spectacular hallmarks on the evolution and development of the government structure.
"Being the first chairman of the Executive Council of Abu Dhabi, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan was keen to improve public services, enact regulatory laws and legislations and harness available resources to leverage services to the highest standards for the benefit of the citizens and expatriate residents,'' he added.
Ha also added that the close follow up of His Highness Shaikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, he noted, had been very instrumental in advancing the development process of the government body in the emirate.
In his statement, HH Shaikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council, said that five decades after its first formation, the Government of Abu Dhabi had been able to withstand all challenges and to evolve into a modern government that pursue the welfare of the citizens and resident alike.
He also hailed President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan who stood by the late Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan al Nahyan when he formed the government and kept his legacy alive when he led the emirate's Planning Council, which was changed into the Executive Council in 1974.
"The government carried so many names, but had one goal- progress, development to provide prosperity and happiness for the people," he added.
HH Shaikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chief of the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince's Court said that since its inception 50 years ago, the Government of Abu Dhabi adopted planning as the way forward.
"The Government of Abu Dhabi has embedded principles and standards for public administration, including development of human resources and utilising all energies to contribute to the march of progress," he noted.
The Government of Abu Dhabi is today one of the best in the region thanks to strategic plans and policies, up-to-date legislations, human resources and organisational development, and good governance, said H.H. Shaikh Mohammed bin Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Retirement Pensions and Benefits Fund.
''The long journey of achievements of the Government of Abu Dhabi over the past 50 years was driven by the vision of the founding father, the late Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Many milestones have allied together to position Abu Dhabi in a prominent international place with a good reputation and sharp competitive edge,'' Shaikh Mohammed said in remarks on the 50th anniversary of the government of Abu Dhabi.
Shaikh Sultan bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Member of the Executive Council said the governance system founded by the late Shaikh Zayed in 1966, marked a new era for its progress as it helped shift the focus on key sectors, such as healthcare, education, housing and transport.
"The capital of the UAE is confidently determined to continue the march of progress and development," he added.
For the past 50 years, the Government of Abu Dhabi has always relied on principles of integration, progress and transparency, while striding towards a brighter future, said Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, Minister of State for Federal National Council Affairs.
He said the strong foundations laid by the late Shaikh Zayed, enabled Abu Dhabi to become a global example for progress and development.
The scarce resources back in 1966, were no obstacles to the ambitions of the late Shaikh Zayed to bring about comprehensive development in all walks of life, said Saeed Eid Al Ghafli, Chairman of the Executive Office.
"The progress of nations is measured by the efficiency of governments. Thanks to the leadership of President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and His Highness Shaikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, the Government of Abu Dhabi is among the leading governments in the world," he added.
The Government of Abu Dhabi was among the first in the region to develop a long- term vision for the future, based on a coherent and secure society, and a resilient and competitive economy, he said.

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