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Leaders of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) highlighted key milestones of the past 50 years ahead of the country’s Golden Jubilee National Day celebrations. The UAE's 50-year success story is a 'miracle' that never ceases to inspire local government officials and longtime residents from all over the world.
The President of the UAE, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, announced that 2021 would be marked as the UAE’s 50th Anniversary since its independence from colonial rule in 1971, celebrating the country’s 50-year journey.
The Arab nation’s success story proves that success does not happen by accident. Rather, the UAE’s ambitions and hopes for the future are based on its accomplishments over the past half-century - solid foundations that have turned the country from seven tiny emirates into a strong federal state with significant geopolitical influence.
UAE has developed its own unique cultural identity thanks to its diverse multicultural society. Roughly 88.5% of the UAE’s population consists of expatriates, while the remaining 11% are UAE citizens. Over 200,000 people relocate to Dubai every year to make a home out of this economic hub, with over 200 nationalities coexisting peacefully.
Several world-class art and cultural institutions have also established roots in the UAE as a result of its creative energy. Located on Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi, the Saadiyat Island Cultural District includes the Louvre Museum Abu Dhabi, which opened its doors in 2017. The museum was named one of the World's 100 Greatest Places for 2018 by TIME Magazine. A wide range of art and artifacts have been gathered from around the world and from throughout human history. The museum's collection includes statues from ancient Egypt and Funerary Masks from China, as well as Monet's and Picasso's paintings.
Furthermore, Al Ain, a city part of Abu Dhabi, has been labeled as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, while Sharjah has been announced as the Capital of Islam in 2014 by the OIC and the "Cultural Capital of the Arab World" by UNESCO in 1998.
The UAE has experienced tremendous growth since its formation. In the years prior to its independence from Britain and its unification in 1971, each emirate controlled its own economy. Until the development of Japanese cultured pearls and the discovery of commercial quantities of oil, professions like pearl diving, seafaring, and fishing were the mainstays of the economy.
Founder and former UAE President, His Highness Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is credited with taking the country into the 20th century and using petroleum revenues to fund all of the country's development.
Today, the UAE has been completely transformed into a highly productive economy based on internationally-evolving knowledge and future energy. Pioneering developments in the nation have attracted worldwide attention.
Moreover, the rapid economic development of the UAE has made significant contributions to the advancement of UAE citizens, especially women. Men and women have equal access to education and employment, and fair working conditions are now protected by law. Currently, women hold 22.2% of the seats in the current government Council, one of the highest levels in the Middle East and the world.
With significant investments in nuclear and renewable energy, the UAE has made strenuous efforts to diversify its energy sources. In December 2009, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan created the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC), an institution that produces electricity in order to support economic development and provide opportunities for citizens.
ENEC's mission is to provide safe, clean, and efficient nuclear energy to the UAE - a vital new source of energy for the country. In addition, ENEC is responsible for overseeing the development, construction, and financing of nuclear power plants, with a goal of supplying electricity to the UAE grid.
In the field of renewable energy, Masdar City – the world's first carbon-neutral, zero-waste city that is entirely reliant on renewable energy sources- will host the headquarters of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). IRENA is an international government agency that promotes the use of renewable energy throughout the world. It aims to facilitate technology transfers and renewable energy and provide expertise on applications and policies.
Over the past five decades, the educational sector has experienced tremendous growth. The UAE has also welcomed a number of internationally recognized academic institutions in recent years, bringing truly world-class educational opportunities to the local community.
A similar trend has been observed in the healthcare industry. Five decades ago, hospital care was virtually nonexistent and healthcare services were limited. The government has developed a comprehensive network of multi-disciplinary hospitals and clinics all over the country in recent years. Since this sector has developed, infant mortality rates have declined dramatically, childbirth mortality rates are at zero, and the life expectancy of the population has increased considerably. UAE’s efforts to combat the Covid19 outbreak is commendable.
With regard to the space sector, the UAE is described as a young country with interplanetary ambition. The UAE is spearheading a NASA mission called Hope Mars Mission, also known as Emirates Mars Mission. The Hope mission is the first planetary exploration effort by an Arab-Islamic country. As part of the 50th anniversary celebrations, the UAE set ambitious targets for the project. On February 9, 2021, the Hope rover reached Mars’ orbit after successfully launching on July 19, 2020 aboard a Japanese rocket.
During the end of November 2021, the UAE announced its decision to legislate a record number of 40 laws and amendments by the beginning of January 2022, describing it as the country’s “largest legal reform in its history.”
The amendments in the field of commerce, trade, personal security, drugs, residency, and various other social matters are projected to keep up with development achievements of the UAE and reflect its future aspirations.
The new laws seek to streamline investments and provide better protection to companies in the country. There are also efforts to strengthen the protection of women and domestic workers, and ease restrictions on various behaviors, such as extramarital relationships. In 2020, the UAE relaxed alcohol restrictions and criminalized "honor killings."
Additionally, foreigners were allowed to avoid Sharia Law on issues such as marriage, divorce, and inheritance, and can instead opt to be governed by the laws of their home country.
Despite the country's Islamic legal code, the expansion of personal freedom reflects the country's changing image as a westernized destination for tourists, fortune-seekers, and businesses.
The UAE is an ideal tourist destination in many aspects. With the EXPO 2020 being held in Dubai until 31 March 2022, travellers have even more reason to visit this global, economic hub.
Travellers who wish to visit the UAE are encouraged to follow the link below for more information and assistance regarding obtaining a visa, documentation, or travel-related inquiries. https://www.ivisa.com/apply-online?utm_source=indinextventure
