"Union is strength; division is weakness." Perhaps the best evidence of this proverb is the story of establishing the United Arab Emirates. Today we celebrate the 51st National Day of the United Arab Emirates!
The second of December marks the unity of the seven emirates and the declaration of the United Arab Emirates in 1971. The flag of the UAE, as we know it today, was raised under the wise leadership of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan; may Allah rest his soul in peace.
At Vervo Middle East, we believe the late Sheikh Zayed Al Nahyan's unique vision is particularly inspiring. This year, let’s remember the historic relevance of the occasion and honor the people who were the masterminds behind forming the UAE and its unprecedented growth today.
On the 2nd of December, 1971
Like today, 51 years ago, six emirates coalesced and agreed to move forward and build a great country with the first ranks at all levels. Those Emirates are Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Fujairah, and Umm al-Quwain. The union became complete in 1972 when Ras al-Khaimah decided to join the United Arab Emirates on February 10, 1972. Since that time, Emiratis have celebrated UAE National Day on December 2 of each year.
His highness, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, began moving quickly to strengthen ties with the other Emirates. Immediately after assuming power on August 6, 1966, as ruler of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, he emphasized the importance of the union.
Together with his highness, the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Zayed took the first step towards establishing the union. Then, they met with the rulers of the other emirates, where they agreed to unite and approve an interim constitution that organizes the state and defines its goals.
The official historical communiqué announcing the establishment of the United Arab Emirates was published as follows:
"The Supreme Council presents these happy good tidings to the people of the United Arab Emirates and all brotherly Arab countries, allies, and the whole world, announcing the establishment of the United Arab Emirates as an independent, sovereign state and part of the great Arab homeland."
Since then, it has become officially known as the United Arab Emirates and established its flag, emblem, and national anthem. It joined the United Nations as a member in 1971. Moreover, the country contributed to establishing the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) as we know it today.
Spirit of the Union
Every year, a special slogan is launched for the UAE National Day celebrations. This year, the National Day slogan is "spirit of the union." It is derived from the vision of the founding father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may Allah rest his soul.
Within a short period, the state was able to lay the foundation stone for the most prominent sectors that contributed to the advancement of the UAE. The most prominent of which are foreign investments and sustainable development. The wise leadership of the UAE has made great efforts since the beginning of the Emirates union to upgrade the economy.
The Emirati leadership sought to make the country the first trade hub in the Middle East and the world. It was able to diversify and digitize the economy and reduce its dependence on oil, which made it take advanced steps that exceeded expectations.
This year, the UAE was ranked first globally in 23 indicators in vital sectors. It was ranked among the best five countries in 59 indicators and one of the top 10 in 106 indicators. The UAE has drawn the world's attention as the first destination for those wishing to invest and live a decent life.
The UAE Today
The 2nd of December 2022 comes to show us the UAE's unprecedented achievements over the past half-century since the founding of the state in 1971.
Today, the UAE is a middle power and an influential nation with a flourishing economy, ample oil reserves, and some of the tallest buildings in the world. However, all the citizens of the UAE acknowledge that the power they possess today exists only because the seven emirates decided to unite in 1971.
Thanks to the unity and the unique vision of the late founding father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and his successors, who insisted on transforming the UAE from a complete desert into one of the most powerful countries in the world in modern history with a leading economy!
The UAE offers a strategic location, robust financial reserves, a large sovereign wealth fund, promising investor home economies, consistent government spending, a progressive policy of economic diversification, free zones, and increased foreign direct investment.
In the first half of 2022, the UAE government earned a total revenue of AED 305.6 billion ($83.20 billion). The UAE's real GDP value topped AED 543 billion at the end of the first half of 2022, while the value of the non-oil sector's GDP grew by AED 28.4 billion compared to the same time last year, totaling AED 273 billion.
Furthermore, for the first time in 2022, the UAE's non-oil international trade crossed AED 1 trillion in just half a year. This was also reflected in the logistics market in the UAE, which is expected to increase by $11.87 billion by 2026 at a CAGR of 6.84%.
Sustainability and Digitization
During the era of the late Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE adopted the "Net Zero by 2050" strategic initiative as a national drive to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, making the Emirates the first Middle East and North Africa (MENA) nation to do so.
The United Arab Emirates has been ranked first in the MENA region and 11th globally in the 2022 Quality Infrastructure for Sustainable Development Index report issued by the United Nations.
The UAE has played an effective role in promoting a more sustainable shipping sector by introducing fundamental reforms to many resolutions that contribute to developing and improving work systems to keep pace with global changes and the latest technological developments, particularly green shipping.
The UAE has set a leading global example in supporting the expansion of digital services in various fields. In the latest UN E-Government Development Index, the UAE was ranked first in the Arab and GCC regions and 21st globally. Also, the country ranked first this year in the Arab Digital Economy Index 2022.
This digital transformation is reflected in the shipping industry, especially the maritime sector. Through close cooperation with the member states of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the UAE has played an active role in developing freight strategies and setting standards that regulate the work of the ocean freight sector to serve the cargo shipping industry and international trade.
Vervo Middle East Honors the UAE's National Day
The achievements by which the UAE proves the correctness of its approach and the rightness of its vision inspire us at Vervo Middle East. This advancement instills a love of excellence and uniqueness so that attaining first place becomes the goal of everyone at all times. We consider this day a reminder of peace, unity, and consistent determination.
In the name of the Vervo Middle East family, we extend our warmest blessings on the occasion of the UAE National Day to the shrines of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and the current ruler of Abu Dhabi, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President of the State and the Ruler of Dubai, the rulers of the Emirates, and to the people of the UAE, its citizens and residents, and we wish that the achievements of the Emirates will fly even higher under Emirati leadership.
Through this year’s celebration, the UAE emphasizes the march of achievements that began with establishing the state in 1971 and flourished over the past 51 years, continuing with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, president of the UAE.
That was all we had to say about the National Day of the United Arab Emirates and the story of the establishment of the Emirates Federation. We hope we have saved you the trouble of searching for it.
Enjoy the UAE’s National Day, and do not forget to follow Vervo Middle East for industry news in the United Arab Emirates.
