On November 3, 2004, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan was elected President of the UAE, a day after the death of his father, Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan.  Shaikh Khalifa was groomed to become Ruler of Abu Dhabi and President of the UAE after Shaikh Zayed. |
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The rapid, smooth transition of power reflected the great confidence placed in Shaikh Khlalifa and his wise vision to lead the country. It was also a recognition of the great achievements and successes by Shaikh Zayed in building the country and its institutions.
Shaikh Khalifa was groomed to become Ruler of Abu Dhabi and President of the UAE. His election as President was a natural expression of his people's trust and belief in his abilities to take his father's place and move the UAE forward to the next stage of prosperity.
Shaikh Khalifa was born in 1948 in Al Ain in the Eastern Region of Abu Dhabi. He used to accompany his father who was then the Ruler of the Eastern Region, wherever he went. From him Shaikh Khalifa inherited his wisdom and farsightedness.
Keeping such close company gave Shaikh Khalifa the chance not only to gain experience, but also to be close to the people and understand their concerns and aspirations.
This shaped his character as a visionary leader. It also prepared him to assume his first responsibility as the Ruler's Representative in the Eastern Region and Al Ain in 1966. On September 18, 1966, following his father's ascension as Ruler of Abu Dhabi, Shaikh Khalifa was named the Ruler's Representative in the Eastern Region and Head of the Courts there.
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Shaikh Zayed holds Shaikh Khalifa as a one year old. |
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He became Crown Prince in 1969. Just a day after assuming the post, Shaikh Khalifa was named the first head of the Abu Dhabi Department of Defence. This department was the nucleus of the UAE Armed Forces. Within a short time, Shaikh Khalifa became president of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council.
The council was formed in January 1974 to replace the Cabinet of Abu Dhabi following a decision by Shaikh Zayed dissolving the Cabinet and merging some ministries of Abu Dhabi within the Federal Government. This was intended to reinforce the federation.
In May 1976 he was named Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces following a landmark decision by the Federal Supreme Council merging the Armed Forces under one command and one flag.
Shaikh Khalifa was devoted to promoting the country's Armed Forces and making them one of the most advanced armies in the world. He paid special attention to ensuring that UAE nationals received technologically advanced training. This was evident when the Armed Forces came to resemble an academic institution that graduates advanced administrative and technical leaders.
His interaction with his people remained the main characteristic of his rule.
Shaikh Khalifa was also appointed Chairman of the Supreme Petroleum Council. This appointment was a recognition of his adept handling of the UAE's affairs. Since he began chairing the council in the late 1980s, Shaikh Khalifa strove to diversify sources of national income. He did not want to rely solely on oil and gas production. He devoted a great deal of his time to developing the petrochemical sector and the industrial complex in the Al Ruwais Industrial area.
By assuming the responsibility of oil wealth management, Shaikh Khalifa made a remarkable contribution.
 Shaikh Zayed and Shaikh Khalifa in discussion at a planning meeting |
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First, he achieved a balance between national and international oil companies. Shaikh Khalifa succeeded in building strategic partnerships with foreign oil companies. He adopted a moderate stance when considering the numerous economic and political dimensions as well as the UAE's economic interests and the wellbeing of its citizens.
This wise decision influenced other Arab oil producing countries to work in partnership with the foreign oil companies.
Besides his key role in the management of the oil industry, Shaikh Khalifa chaired the Abu Dhabi Investment Fund, regarded as one of the government's most important bodies, which controls the UAE's investments abroad.
Despite his busy schedule and his involvement in his country's internal affairs, Shaikh Khalifa has managed to help formulate the UAE's foreign policy by heading delegations to many regional and Arab meetings.
Shaikh Khalifa's hobby of falconry has contributed to his awareness of the importance of the environment. He once said: "The protection of the environment is not a sort of lavishness but is a national duty which must be established and developed in the conscience of people."
Shaikh Khalifa also strove to set up comprehensive institutional and organisational frameworks and provide mechanisms to protect environment. Commenting on the issue, he said: "Clean technologies that achieve harmony between economic, social and environmental elements must be implemented to protect the environment."
 Shaikh Khalifa and Shaikh Zayed pray together. |
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The principle of consultation (Shura) was and still is part of Shaikh Khalifa's character in dealing with national affairs. Being a strong believer in consultation and democracy, Shaikh Khalifa has adopted an open-door policy, in which people can meet their leader without barriers separating them.
He has kept in mind the valuable experience he gained while working in the Federal National Council. He also appreciated his experience of the Abu Dhabi National Consultative Council.
Shaikh Khalifa said his experiences on the two councils showed how openness and dialogue contributed to deepening the sense of national identity. They also glorified the principle of consultation as a method of ruling, and strengthened national loyalty.
The era of Shaikh Khalifa's leadership began with the appointment of Shaikha Lubna Al Qasimi as Minister of Economy and Planning, making her the first woman in the UAE to assume a ministerial position. This was a ground-breaking move that indicates the country's commitment to advancing women's participation. It also reflects Shaikh Zayed's policy of granting women equal rights including the right to participate in the Cabinet.
