H. H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan is the President of the UAE, and the Ruler of Abu Dhabi. H. H. is known to be the directing force behind many initiatives that contributed to boosting the security of the emirate of Abu Dhabi and promoting its socio-economic growth and cultural diversity. His vision contributed to the renaissance of the modern UAE. Sheikh Mohamed achieved remarkable milestones in promoting peace and security regionally and globally, and set an example to be emulated for humanitarian work.
H. H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed was born in Al Ain on 11 March 1961. His full name is Mohamed bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa bin Shakhbout bin Theyab bin Issa bin Nahyan bin Falah bin Yas.
He is the third son of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding President of the UAE. He grew up under the watchful eye of his father and his mother, H. H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak. Sheikh Mohamed is married to H. H. Sheikha Salama bint Hamdan Al Nahyan, and has four sons and five daughters.
He was educated at schools in Al Ain and Abu Dhabi until the age of 18. In 1979, he joined the prestigious Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, where he got trained in armour, helicopter flying, tactical flying and para troops. After graduating in April 1979, he returned home to the UAE to join the Officers' Training Course in Sharjah. H. H. held a number of roles in the UAE military, from that of officer in the Amiri Guard, the UAE's elite security force, to a pilot in the UAE Air Force and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.
In addition to his military responsibilities, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed was the key advisor to his late father, Sheikh Zayed Bin sultan Al Nahyan regarding security issues. He was also appointed Deputy Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi in November in 2003, and then became Vice President of the Executive Council, and later its Chairman in November 2004.
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed is an active member of the Supreme Petroleum Council, which covers oil and energy sectors.
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed is known for his passion for hunting and falconry, a love which was passed on to him by his father.
He also maintains a deep interest in poetry, especially that of the Nabati style which is native to the region. He regularly sponsors poetry competitions and other events and demonstrates commitment to cultural, artistic, literary and innovation-based initiatives in the community.
Sheikh Mohamed also follows a number of sports in the UAE and regularly meets Emirati sportsmen and women to recognise their achievements.
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed is known to be the directing force behind many initiatives that contributed to boosting the security of the emirate of Abu Dhabi and promoting its socio-economic growth and cultural diversity. His insightful vision contributed to the renaissance of the modern UAE and the consolidation of its position as an ideal global destination at various levels. The umbrella of security, stability, prosperity, sustainable development and social welfare, established by H. H. is one of the most prominent achievements that reflect his quest to ensure social welfare and economic wellbeing of the UAE’s citizens.
Here is a brief about his contributions in various fields:
Military field
Guided by the directives of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and late Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, H. H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed helped develop the UAE Armed Forces in terms of strategic planning, training, organisational structure and promoting defence capabilities. His guidance and leadership led the UAE Armed Forces to become a leading institution that is widely admired by many international military organisations.
Education and Research
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed is known for his commitment to enhance the educational standards in the emirate of Abu Dhabi. When he was the Chairman of ADEK, he forged partnerships with prestigious world-class educational institutions and think-tanks, a number of which have subsequently announced plans to either establish a base in or join strategic joint ventures with existing academic establishments in the UAE.
Sheikh Mohamed has always been determined to provide national educational institutions with the latest state-of-the-art technology and know-how to keep pace with the rapid and multi-faceted changes taking place globally across all fronts.
Economic Development
H. H. contributed to supporting the economic growth of the emirate of Abu Dhabi, in addition to the construction boom achieved by the emirate at the level of housing for citizens, health, recreational facilities and other fields.
From his position as the Chairman of Tawazun, several investments were executed within different sectors, which help with the UAE's economy diversification.
Additionally, Mubadala Development Company was established in 2002 to become one of Abu Dhabi Government's main investment entities, and aspire to achieve sustainable social and economic benefits for the emirate.
Environmental protection
H. H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed paid a great care to environmental protection. He was instrumental in establishing the Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi and has led significant conservation efforts to protect falcons and houbara bustards in the UAE and internationally.
In 2007, he launched a programme, which is part of the Abu Dhabi Government’s vision to create a regional herd that reflects all programmes for the resettlement of Arabian oryx in their range countries. In 2008, he announced that the Abu Dhabi Government would contribute 15 billion USD to Masdar, the global standard-setting alternative and renewable energy initiative based in Abu Dhabi and the developer of the world’s first carbon-neutral, zero-waste city.
Global fraternity
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed always seeks to strengthen the spirit of fraternity among everyone in the region and the world. With an insightful vision and determination, he succeeded in extending bridges of communication and peace with all leaders and peoples of the world, promoting a culture of tolerance and shielding the nation and the region against the menacing threats posed by extremism and terrorism.
After the UAE named 2019 as the ‘Year of Tolerance’, Sheikh Mohamed received His Holiness Pope Francis, Head of the Catholic Church and His Eminence the Grand Imam Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Sheikh Al-Azhar Al-Sharif. The meeting resulted in the signing of the Human Fraternity Document, a guide to promote a culture of mutual respect and dialogue for peaceful coexistence and fraternity among all nations.
Humanitarian aid
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed directed the UAE’s humanitarian arm, Emirates Red Crescent, along with other charitable societies, to provide a helping hand to people afflicted by wars or the effects of disasters and crises.
H. H. played a great role in strengthening the UAE and the world's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. His efforts contributed to making the UAE one of the first countries to succeed in overcoming the pandemic and ensure the transition to recovery and normalcy. At the same time, H. H. sent various types of material and in-kind assistance to brotherly and fraternal nations during the pandemic.
His initiative to eradicate polio in several countries highlights the UAE's resolve to combat the disease. Since 2011, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed has donated 247.8 million USD (911.4 million AED) to humanitarian and charitable efforts aimed at providing vaccines and financing polio eradication campaigns, most notably in countries targeted by his initiative.
He launched the Reaching the Last Mile Fund to raise 100 million USD with the aim of eradicating, eliminating and controlling preventable diseases that hinder the health and economic prospects of the world’s poorest people.
Supported regional stability
H. H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed has never hesitated to support regional stability and address all challenges and threats that affect the security of the region, foremost of which is terrorism and extremism. Internationally, H. H. always took the initiative to achieve reconciliation, in the quest of world peace and in pursuit of ending bloodsheds, in order to protect human beings and preserve their dignity.
Established Mohamed Bin Zayed Majlis for Future Generations
Mohamed Bin Zayed Majlis for Future Generations (MBZMFG) was established with the aim to connect the youth with the UAE’s leaders to shape a better future for the UAE. By connecting the youth with the UAE’s leaders and pioneering thinkers, MBZMFG builds engagement around core Emirati values and ideas that will shape the future.
Awards and Honours
H. H. received a lot of decorations and medals from the UAE and other countries such as Kingdom of Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Jordan, Morocco, Pakistan, the USA, the UK, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, China, South Korea and Malaysia and from organisations such asthe UN.
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