National Day is a chance to evaluate the country's achievements and performance

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, has said that celebrating National Day is a chance to evaluate the country's achievements and performance during the past year, as every year is a leap in the journey of the UAE's great union.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed added that securing a prominent and leading place for the UAE in the future depends on its competence to foresee the future and the efficiency of both government and private sectors in keeping pace with future changes, adapting to its requirements in a timely manner.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid said, "Our Armed Forces heroes are sharing the celebrations with us while answering the call of their national, humanitarian and moral duty, locked in battles in support of what is right and to counter the aggression on the brotherly Yemen, extinguishing the forces of evil and sedition’s fire before their sparks ignite fires in our region and the Arab world."

In a speech to Dira’a Al Watan, The Nation Shield magazine on the occasion of the 45th National Day, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid said that while we are celebrating the occasion, our union becomes stronger due to the determination of the sons and daughters of the UAE, the unremitting efforts to place the UAE on the map of the future as their ambitions and aspirations have no limits, driven by their love for the homeland and their devotion to their leadership; a leadership that does not skimp on them in any way, and provides them with all reasons to embrace innovation and giving.

Sheikh Mohammed noted, "Celebrating National Day gives us, the government and the people, a chance to evaluate ourselves and our performance over the past year, for every year is a leap in the journey of our great Union." He pointed out the achievements in the UAE that have enhanced the people’s wellness and happiness, as well as the country’s strength, security and stability.

As we are celebrating the 45th National Day, an elite of our Armed Forces heroes are sharing the celebrations with us while answering the call of their national, humanitarian and moral duty, locked in battles in support of what is right and to counter the aggression on the brotherly Yemen, extinguishing the forces of evil and sedition’s fire before their sparks ignite fires in our region and the Arab world.

Also, other teams of heroes, the military, our security services, and our civil protection teams, are deployed all around our country and in every corner as a bulwark to watch over, ensure our security and safety, and protect the country as an oasis of security, peace and stability.

Celebrating National Day gives us, the government and the people of the UAE, a chance to evaluate ourselves and our performance during the past year, for every year is a leap in the journey of our great Union." He noted the achievements in the UAE that have enhanced the people’s wellness and happiness, as well as the country’s strength, security and stability.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed said, "I congratulate you on the occasion, and bring you good news that we are heading apace towards achieving our major goals; in the promotion of the status of our state and happiness of our people, reaching the highest levels of progress, civilisation and refinement, relying on the minds and arms of our sons and daughters, and their dedication and confidence.

"In our quest into the future, we realise that our success in securing a prominent and leading place for our country depends on our competence in foreseeing what is ahead of us, as well as on the efficiency of both government and private sectors in keeping pace with future changes and adapting to its requirements in a timely manner."

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, said, "The UAE government, in its current structure, plans, programmes and projects, is the government of the future, we want our society to be the society of the future, too."

His Highness noted, "We continue to build our infrastructure, digital structure, and different vital sectors, and in the meantime, our economy has continued to grow. And despite the continuously degrading global economy and international trade, the UAE has also made great progress in diversifying its economy."

Sheikh Mohammed continued, "In this time of the 'fourth industrial revolution', the UAE has chosen to be involved and positively active as it participates at the forefront of this revolution. Our role in this is essential, at both regional and global levels."

He added, "We have ventured into the field of the future, doing our part in the framework of the government of the future with its structure and its tools, applying the UAE’s strategy to foresee the future and build a global network of future makers, such as scientists, analysts and experts, allowing the coordination of efforts and programmes, the exchange of experiences, the sharing of benefits, and the fight against the dangers in the new world."

His Highness went on to say, "We have our national agenda goals to accomplish in order to enhance the UAE’s indices." He called for accomplishing a new goal every day, and to solve, quickly and efficiently, any obstacles standing in the way of progress, whatever they may be, and to address any shortages, wherever they are.

He further expressed his confidence that, "Our society is capable of actively and positively contributing to building our future human capital, thanks to the people’s appreciation and respect for education. The people have always shown their ability to adapt to changes and respond to new challenges, and they will not fail to adopt new practices and traditions that encourage the new world’s values and plant the love of reading and acquiring of knowledge in the hearts of new generations, as they believe these to be values that help to grow generations of scientists, researchers and innovators."

His Highness concluded by saying, "I join you in congratulating President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and Their Highnesses the Supreme Council Members and Rulers of the Emirates."