Khalifa completes six years as President

Following the death of Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, founder of the UAE Federation, the Federal Supreme Council unanimously elected Shaikh Khalifa as the UAE President in a meeting held at Al Bateen Palace in Abu Dhabi on November 3, 2004. Following his election, Shaikh Khalifa pledged that he would pursue the legacy and course set by the late Shaikh Zayed.

On November 3, 2009, Their Highnesses, Members of the Supreme Council renewed their confidence in Shaikh Khalifa for the second five-year term in office.

Shaikh Khalifa is keen to communicate with the UAE citizens on public and private occasions. He has been providing them services, importantly, in housing through “the Shaikh Khalifa Housing Project”. He has contributed in easing suffering of citizens as he continued urban development programmes, covering all the areas across the UAE. Given the developmental accomplishments, the popularity of Shaikh Khalifa grew among the citizens.

He contributed in construction of mosques, Islamic centres, schools and hospitals that bear his name in many countries. Relief aid has been provided to the victims of catastrophes worldwide.

In December 2006, the UAE witnessed the democratic elections in which half of the members were elected to the Federal National Council with significant participation of Emirati woman.

Shaikh Khalifa has tackled the repercussions of the world financial crisis by injecting liquidity into the banking and financial institutions in the UAE.

He has been striving to make the UAE an international financial, cultural, artistic and educational hub. The UAE has signed a number of agreements in the peaceful nuclear energy programme in full framework of transparency.

The labour city of world class has been constructed in the UAE.

The Abu Dhabi Fund for Development has been offering billions of dollars as loans and grants to the Arab and developing countries.

Many world leaders hailed the wisdom of Shaikh Khalifa, while the local, regional and international media have lauded his role in supporting the UAE Union. He preserves the UAE’s heritage and cultural standing, as well as religious tolerance among 200 nationalities who reside in the UAE. The US Newsweek Magazine selected the UAE President as one of the most 50 influential people in the world. —