In the 36 years after the UAE was declared a federation,
the country has developed into a global business hub with a powerful worldwide presence
Another year, another landmark. Be it in construction, environment or business, the UAE surpasses itself year after year. Several new feathers in the nation's cap, complemented by a strong focus on culture, education, and charity, pleased Emiratis and expatriates alike in 2007.
Following the footsteps of the founders, President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and his brothers, members of the Supreme Council and the rulers of the emirates spared no effort to keep the UAE in the forefront of development and progress.
In Abu Dhabi, internationally recognised museums such as the Louvre and the Guggenheim will be making their presence felt soon.
The Abu Dhabi Louvre, a 24,000-square-metre branch of the famous Parisian museum will be built on Saadiyat Island, which is already home to a 30,000-square-metre branch of New York's Guggenheim Museum, as part of its drive to become a cultural capital of the region.
Along with European-style museums, black tie events such as operas and music festivals are attracting not only tourists, but also people from nearby Gulf States.
Dubai's frantic desire to be number one culminated on September 12 when the Burj Dubai became the tallest free-standing structure in the world and when completed will become the world's tallest man-made structure.
High standards
In an interview with an international television channel, His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, put the progress of the emirate aptly. He wants his people to live better now, not after 20 years.
"If you can have it in New York, why can't we have it here?" he asked his interviewer, promising the highest standards of living for his people.
Architecture in Dubai will undergo a drastic positive change for its people and the environment as Shaikh Mohammad announced this year that all upcoming buildings will have to take environmental impacts according to energy efficient standards, into consideration before even a brick is laid.
Dubai raced ahead to better its residents' lives with environment-friendly buildings as the UAE celebrated another certified 'green' building when Pacific Control in Jebel Ali inaugurated their headquarters.
The year 2007 also saw one of the most charitable initiatives launched in the UAE with Dubai Cares - a scheme to see 1 million children in Muslim and Arab states getting access to education as part of the UN millennium goals.
"I expect you, Emiratis and expatriates, to compete in charity and to participate in every way you find suitable. And I expect from the private sector a substantial contribution, including the international corporations and their offices in the UAE," Shaikh Mohammad told the community.
Over an eight-week fundraising campaign led by Shaikh Mohammad's children, more than Dh1.7 billion was raised by community and business leaders.
Schoolchildren themselves across Dubai raised nearly Dh18 million for their counterparts across the world who have no access to schools or books.
"Those who are deprived of education will dwell in a shadowland. They will never know the true essence of their religion, nor learn its teachings. They will face the prospect of becoming burdens on themselves, their societies and the whole world," says Shaikh Mohammad.
As part of his quest to also bring better education to the students of the region, a Knowledge Conference brought scholars and experts from around the Arab World to suggest solutions to bring better education opportunities to young men and women of the region so that enough jobs will be available when they are ready to enter the workforce.
Challenges
The United Nations Development Programme and the Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation will compile a report on the state of knowledge in the Arab World to identify challenges, best practices, and propose policy solutions for the effective generation and application of knowledge in the region.
The UAE has realised that you cannot keep women - which constitute nearly half of its population of over 4.1 million - idle, and has taken steps to ensure they are represented in fields as wide ranging as running the government to running taxis.
For example, one of the country's most important portfolios, Economy, is run by Shaikha Lubna Al Qasimi. Looking back, it seems the Federation formed 36 years ago has achieved all it set out to.
It had just four objectives - to build an educated society, solve regional issues by peaceful means, strengthen ties between Arab Countries and take an active role in international forums and organisations.
Since the UAE joined the Gulf Cooperation Council in 1981 and the same year a Dh2.6 billion project was initiated to dig an oil field on Delma island near Abu Dhabi - which turned out to be one of the world's largest oil fields - what started out as a sleepy fishing village, has turned itself into a well-deserved, successful business hub.
And this metamorphosis is only the beginning.
