For ten years the UAE has benefitted locally and internationally from the leadership of HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan
On 3 November 2004 Sheikh Khalifa was elected by the Federal Supreme Council of Rulers as President of the UAE following the death of his late father, Sheikh Zayed, the previous day. He also succeeded him as Ruler of Abu Dhabi. He had a remarkable role model in his father, a visionary nation-builder who was able to combine personal charisma with a deftness in international diplomacy that established the new country as a serious player on the world stage.
HH Sheikh Khalifa has been able to build on this legacy, further developing the Emirates through modernisation in both social and infrastructure terms and participating fully in international affairs. His appearance in the Forbes list of the world’s 50 most powerful people underlines the significance of those achievements.
Early years
HH Sheikh Khalifa’s abilities were recognised by his father when he was still a teenager, At the age of 18 Sheikh Khalifa was appointed by Sheikh Zayed as the Ruler’s Representative in the Eastern Region of Abu Dhabi and the head of the Emirate’s courts – a striking mark of confidence.
He was subsequently appointed to an increasingly significant series of high-level positions, becoming Crown Prince in 1969 and then the UAE’s first Deputy Prime Minister (1971). Other senior posts followed – Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and in 1976 the key task of establishing and heading up the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA).
ADIA is today one of the world’s most important sovereign wealth funds, charged with managing the financial investments of the emirate as a part of a strategic vision for the development of a stable source of income for future generations.
Another key role for HH Sheikh Khalifa followed in 1989, when he was appointed chairman of Abu Dhabi’s Supreme Petroleum Council. That position is one of the most important in the country, with overall responsibility for steering the development of the oil and gas sector that are so important to the country’s economic growth.
The visionary President
In his role as President, Sheikh Khalifa has pursued ambitious but unshowy strategies for the UAE’s development. Prudent management of the economy and the integrity of the Federation have distinguished his term of office, and his effective stewardship was demonstrated by the way the UAE has navigated the sometimes turbulent regional and financial seas of the last few years.
A notable feature of Sheikh Khalifa’s presidency is his commitment to the people of the UAE. Under his direction there have been massive improvements in infrastructure, housing, health and especially education for the citizens of the UAE. A number of funds and other resources have been set up for entrepreneurs, farmers, citizens with low incomes and other key targets.
HH Sheikh Khalifa has also been instrumental in opening up the Federal National Council – in December 2005 the President announced that half of the 40 members of the Federal National Council would be elected rather than appointed. The elections took place in December 2006 with the second round of elections held on 24th September, 2011.
