HAMAD AL KAABI
His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Fujairah, affirmed that everything the UAE has achieved and continues to achieve in comprehensive development has been and remains a reflection of the vision of the UAE’s Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
His Highness emphasised that the legacy of Sheikh Zayed will remain in the hearts of Emiratis as an exceptional leader, thanks to his profound and precise perspective on the philosophy of life and governance.
In a comprehensive interview with Aletihad, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of assuming the rule of the emirate, His Highness said: “The present and future of the UAE and its people are in safe hands, under the leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, may God protect him.”
In this regard, His Highness pointed out that anyone following the footsteps of His Highness the President realises the depth of his vision and determination to work towards fulfilling the aspirations of the Founding Fathers.
His Highness shed light on key milestones during his rule of the emirate, noting that he was the first Minister of Agriculture in the UAE.
His Highness noted that His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, employs a novel governance approach compared to other government leaders around the world, inspiring his team with unique innovative ideas, “which allows us to confidently assert that we have an advanced government model”.
His Highness expressed confidence in Emiratis' skills, competencies, conscious will and dedication, which will meet the demands of the future, and are capable of placing the nation on the global economic map.
His Highness pointed out that national unity and stability are two solid pillars on which the UAE stands and its development efforts are based. “This has made our country a fertile environment for continuous economic, social, cultural, and humanitarian movement without pause or decline,” His Highness said.
Regarding the Emirate of Fujairah, His Highness said that the massive investment projects that have been implemented in the emirate, as well as those currently underway, are a key part of the country’s strategy aimed at creating new prospects.
“There is still much work ahead for the emirate and its people, as our ambitions are great, and our citizens deserve more,” His Highness said.
You had a good relationship with the late Sheikh Zayed, may God rest his soul. How would you describe the UAE’s Founding Father to us?
It is very difficult to express in words the stature of Sheikh Zayed, may God rest his soul. Sheikh Zayed represents all the noble and precious things to me. For me, Sheikh Zayed exemplifies thought, heart, sentiment and all the historical moments etched in memory. He was the towering symbol of wisdom, development, and love for people. Sheikh Zayed's virtues are patience, dream, honesty, and trust in God, then in oneself... Loyalty to the homeland and its people, and working for it.
He will remain eternal in the memory and conscience of the nation, a role model and timeless example of wise leadership and noble values that have charted a roadmap for the state, guiding generations to come. The passing of time will only increase our pride in his stances and initiatives, which will continue to testify to his exceptional leadership, characterised by his profound and precise vision in his philosophy of life and governance. Everything that the UAE has achieved and continues to achieve as part of its comprehensive development has been, and still is, a reflection of the vision of the late Sheikh Zayed and his determination to uplift and empower, paving the way for prosperity and growth.
Therefore, I call upon all the sons and daughters of the nation to continue following his path, work according to his wisdom and visions, and to hold on to his values, foremost among them determination, will, a sense belonging to the homeland, and loyalty to its leadership. Thank God, the UAE today, under the leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, may God protect him, continues to uphold its promise, while the humanitarian and developmental legacy of Zayed endures through the ages, passing down from generation to generation.
Everyone, near and far, acknowledges that the Founding Fathers established strong foundations for a nation that has amazed the world with its comprehensive civilisational renaissance, which today stands among the most advanced countries globally. From Your Highness’ perspective, how were they able to put the UAE on the path to the future?
We have learned from history that civilisations are built by great men. The late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may God rest his soul, and his founding brothers, may they rest in peace, were the greatest example of this; they were great in their ambitions and in their determination. Greatness in their determination. Therefore, they were able to lay the strong foundations for the Union with all its solid pillars, and they launched the fastest developmental journey the world has ever seen, creating a successful model of unity by all standards. But how were they able to do that? I say: with a united spirit, a clear vision, sincere intention, and hard work. Because when the intention is pure and the purpose is unified, achievement follows.
Therefore, it is not an exaggeration to assert that the Founding Fathers created a new history in the region and changed many concepts through their strong will, sincerity, and genuine desire to establish a state that has now become an inspiring model for many countries. And here... Let me recall what Sheikh Zayed said: “True wealth is not in material resources, but the men who shape the future of their nation.”
How do you see the future of the UAE under the leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan?
Under the leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, may God protect him, the present and future of the UAE and its people are in safe hands. He is the person most similar to the late Sheikh Zayed. He was raised in his school of thought and leadership and drew from its wellspring, and today he walks in his footsteps, guiding us on the path of success, achievement, and prosperity, enhancing our status and propelling our journey forward.
Perhaps those who follow His Highness’ steps realise the depth of his vision and his determination to fulfil the aspirations of the Founding Fathers. They also understand His Highness’ profound and contemporary perspective on the issues facing the region and the world. Let me assure you that under the wise leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the aspirations of the UAE for the future are limitless, while its ambitions know no bounds, and the pursuit of further achievements will not cease. What makes us confident in this is that His Highness always aspires for the UAE to be at the forefront.
In recent years, the UAE has launched numerous strategies and future plans aimed at enhancing national capabilities, particularly in information technology, artificial intelligence, the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and space. The “Projects of the 50” set a new phase for the UAE with major developmental transformations in all vital sectors, how do you see that?
There is no doubt that the UAE draws from the legacy of its Founding Fathers, along with its achievements, experience, determination, and resolve, as a starting point for further adopting a renewed vision for the future that enhances its developmental journey in the next 50 years. And from here came the "Projects of the 50"... Because our country aims to achieve the highest levels of social development and to establish its position as a centre for the fastest-growing and most sustainable economy.
Today, the top priority for the UAE is a diverse, robust, and sustainable economy that does not rely on traditional resources, which opens promising horizons that contribute to enhancing and solidifying its components, capabilities, and vision for future development, meeting its ambitions to occupy advanced positions both culturally and economically.
The “Projects of the 50” mean, in short, that the UAE is utilising its capabilities and resources to shape a comprehensive economic vision that serves development and ensures a decent life for its future generations.
We are all confident that the sons and daughters of the nation, with their skills, competencies, conscious will and dedication will meet the future’s demands, and are capable of placing the nation on the global economic map.
Perhaps some of our new generation do not know that you were the first Minister of Agriculture in the UAE. The question is: Could you tell us about government work from your perspective? How do you view the government work system in the UAE?
Yes, I was the first Minister of Agriculture and Water in the first formation of the UAE government, and I witnessed many examples of various governments around the world. Based on my experience in government work and my personal observation of the performance of our wise government, I can say that the real factor for the progress of nations lies in the good management of their resources, and the transition from the realm of ideas to the fields of action and then to achievement.
Here, I would like to point out that Almighty God has blessed us with an exceptional individual of high calibre, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, may God protect him, who firmly believes that the government work system must remain the fastest, most flexible, and capable of adapting to the changes of the future. Anyone can sense this in his personality and feel that he is a different kind of role model who believes that any dream is achievable and that nothing is impossible. This has inspired his team with unique and innovative ideas.
Today, thank God, we can confidently assert that we have a proactive and qualified government, rich in competent individuals who lead the path of development and continue the process of development and evolving, crafting smart and flexible strategies that align with the data and changes of each stage, regardless of its nature and characteristics.
To what extent do you see the role of the Emirati citizen in achieving the country’s goals as it approaches its centenary?
As I mentioned to you, our leadership always aspires to the top position, and it pursues this goal through well-studied, disciplined plans and insightful, forward-looking visions that draw from the past, grounded in the present, and aim for the future.
As for Emiratis, they are the most valuable asset in the UAE, and they are the source of its strength. They have been, and continue to be, the focal point of its economic and developmental plans since the establishment of the Union. This is the approach that our country follows.
Several countries have experienced periods of economic and developmental prosperity in recent years, followed by a decline; however, this has not occurred with the economy of the UAE in general. In Your Highness’ opinion, what has given us the ability to continue growing without pause?
In my opinion, our constant ability to continue growing stems from our belief in ourselves and our confidence in our abilities. This is due to the fact that we have a wise leadership capable of planning and achieving within comprehensive plans, and according to visions that anticipate the future and strive to place our country at the forefront of nations.
We also have a proactive and qualified government, rich in competent individuals who lead the development process and continue to build and innovate, crafting smart and flexible strategies that align with the data and changes of each stage, regardless of its nature and characteristics.
Our national unity and stability are a solid foundation from which and on which the efforts for sustainable development in various fields are based.
We have set an example in upholding the values of justice, citizenship, and the rule of law, and in reinforcing the pillars of a state of institutions where both citizens and residents enjoy security and safety, and where an atmosphere of reassurance and the protection of rights is achieved under the rule and sovereignty of law. From here, our country is a fertile ground for continuous economic, social, cultural, and humanitarian movement without pause or decline.
The Emirate of Fujairah has witnessed significant developmental leaps, thanks to your leadership. Tell us about that, and your vision for the future of the emirate?
There is no doubt that the massive investment projects that have been implemented in the emirate, as well as those currently underway, are a key part of the country’s strategy aimed at achieving something new every day, and it still continues.
We have a lot of work ahead for Fujairah and its people, because our ambitions are great, and our community deserves more. The emirate has taken rapid developmental, social, and economic strides over the past years, and it is moving towards solidifying all these steps, while the citizen has always been and remains a priority, serving as the foundation for turning aspirations into reality.
The world is closely watching the growing role of Fujairah in vital and strategic projects, enhancing its economic standing and its position on the regional and international energy map, as well as in global oil trade.
There is no doubt that the Emirate of Fujairah has a deep cultural history, diverse natural resources, and a unique geographical location that has made it a connecting point between the East and West in the field of petroleum industries and global energy markets.
The state has been keen to take advantage of all this and has mobilised everything necessary to enhance this status.
And now, thank God, the emirate is a global hub for the transportation, storage, trading, supply, and export of oil and its derivatives, as well as a distinguished global centre for oil logistics industries.
We must also not forget the notable presence of the most important and largest oil, gas, mining, and logistics service companies at the Port of Fujairah and the Free Zone Authority.
We are keen to actively contribute to the field of maritime ports globally, in addition to playing a strong role in supporting the country’s economy.
How do you spend your day in the ruler’s diwan? Do you find enough time for your children and grandchildren?
As usual, my day starts early. I review the daily reports that come to me from the heads of local departments, and I personally follow up on the affairs of the nation and its citizens.
As for the children and grandchildren, despite all the busyness, I usually meet them in the evening. I try to be close to them.
The ideas of the grandchildren also bring me closer to understanding the aspirations of their generation and their ambitions. Because I see a bright future in their eyes.