Post by : Badri Ariffin

Joined by UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum met with former and current ministers who have served with him throughout his two-decade tenure.

This gathering commemorated the 20th anniversary of Sheikh Mohammed's assumption of the Prime Minister role on January 5, 2006, celebrating a transformative leadership journey that has defined the UAE’s governance and its global reputation.

President Applauds Transformational Vision

President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed extended his congratulations to Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid for this significant milestone, wishing him ongoing health and success in furthering the UAE’s development and securing a hopeful future for its citizens.

He remarked that Sheikh Mohammed's leadership has positioned the UAE Government as a global benchmark for people-focused growth, propelled by ambitious and forward-thinking strategies.

The UAE Emerges as a Global Center

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid noted that, under President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed’s leadership, the UAE has made unprecedented strides and solidified its status as a premier hub for innovation, business, and a high quality of life.

He stressed that the UAE's success was a result of a unique development framework centered on human empowerment, sustainable economic progress, and unparalleled government efficacy.

“The UAE Represents a World Within a Nation”

Reflecting on his two decades in office, Sheikh Mohammed stated:
“Though twenty years may appear brief in the life of a nation, the UAE has achieved unprecedented milestones during this time. Today, we excel in various fields, and the UAE stands as a world unto itself.”

He expressed his gratitude towards key leaders such as Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, underscoring the importance of teamwork across different generations of leaders.

Looking Ahead to the Next Two Decades

In addressing the ministers, Sheikh Mohammed reaffirmed his optimism regarding the future, asserting that the coming 20 years will be marked by greater prosperity, pride, and worldwide recognition.

“The world will regard the UAE as the ultimate destination for living, working, investing, and visiting. Our brightest years lie ahead,” he asserted.

Ministers Celebrate Government Accomplishments

Ministers present at the gathering expressed their pride in serving under Sheikh Mohammed, describing him as an inspiring and visionary leader who cultivated a culture of innovation, optimism, and collaboration.

They recognized his strategic foresight as key to transforming ambitions into real-world successes and positioning the UAE Government as a global standard-bearer for efficiency and governance excellence.

Key Milestones Achieved in 20 Years

Throughout Sheikh Mohammed's leadership:

• 72 ministers have served in 9 distinct cabinet formations

• 13 cabinet reshuffles took place

• 558 cabinet meetings convened

• Nearly 16,000 resolutions were enacted

• Over 90% of federal legislation was modernized

• AI-enabled legislative systems were introduced

• National strategies like UAE Vision 2021, Centennial 2071, and We the UAE 2031 were rolled out

The UAE Government also reinforced international alliances through numerous agreements, including the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) program.

A Global Model of Governance

In the past two decades, the UAE has crafted an advanced governance model focused on innovation, digital transformation, forward vision, and community wellbeing, further solidifying its reputation as one of the world’s most progressive nations.