SimplyAbuDhabi XLI

Responsibility & Respect “Our experiment in federation, in the first instance, arose from a desire to increase the ties that bind us, as well as from the conviction of everyone that they were a part of one family, and they must gather under one leadership…. This could not, however, have been achieved without deep devotion to the service of the country and its citizens, over and above any other consideration, and without there being an intimate unity of purpose between the leadership and the people. The ruler, any ruler, is only there to serve his people and secure for them prosperity and progress.” - HH Sheikh Zayed There is an unquestionable mutual responsibility and respect between the leadership and the people, and it is summed up in the unity of the federation and the nation. The foundations of the federation created a framework of checks and balances that have ensured that each Emirate can thrive and, united, can be bigger than the sum of their parts. There is a Bedouin trait that one is responsible for guests in one’s territory, and one can see that in the relationship between Emirati and Expat. I would call it a form of “Tribal Democracy”, where the dynamics of the tribe provide a glue that brings everyone together, and everyone has a say, where the “majlis mentality” allows for discussion and resolution. Adaptability & Agility “Future generations will be living in a world that is very different from that to which we are accustomed. It is essential that we prepare ourselves and our children for that new world… Situations change from time to time. A friend may become an enemy and an enemy a friend. Life is inconsistent and ever changing. So are health and weather. We must, therefore, be prepared for the unexpected changes coming our way.” - HH Sheikh Zayed The global events that surround the Golden Jubilee have shown that these words have never been more true. However, the UAE has always been ready to adapt to change, and to do it quickly. As HE Abdullah bin Touq, Minister of Economy has said, the UAE has transitioned from “seaport to airport and then to brainport”. In more recent times, COVID has shown how fast the UAE can react. There is quick, decisive decision-making. Tolerance & Talent “To treat every person, no matter what his creed or race, as a special soul, is a mark of Islam…. Wealth is not money. Wealth lies in men. This is where true power lies, the power we value. This is what has convinced us to direct all our resources to build the individual, and to use the wealth which God has provided us in the service of the nation…. We are pleased to mention, with pride, that which our women have achieved in terms of strengthening the economic and social role that they play in society, in both the public and the private sectors. We re-affirm our commitment to provide all necessary support for our women, such that will ensure that their role in society can be further strengthened, and so that the scope of their participation in the comprehensive development of our country can be widened.” - HH Sheikh Zayed As has been discussed, “tolerance” goes far beyond merely tolerating others; it is about embracing and celebrating diversity and attracting talent. The UAE is about open skies, open ports, open doors, open minds and open hearts. To have so many different nationalities in one big community is astonishing. Tolerance, in this case, should also not be mistaken for a freedom to do whatever you like; there are clear boundaries, and one has to balance this tolerance with the responsibility and respect of all the cultures which comprise this cosmopolitan community – perhaps the most cosmopolitan country in the world. “Talent” is not just about attracting international talent; it is also about nurturing local talent. There is “extreme empowerment of youth” where the best are promoted, regardless of age. There are “Secret Shopper” programmes in government, where outstanding individuals are identified and fast-tracked. Education is key. Addressing the youth of the UAE, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed once said, “You are the real wealth, not the 3 million barrels of oil. You are the future of this nation’s security and safety net. We are in a good condition now, but we want to establish the vision for 50 years ahead”. Environment & Ecosystem “We cherish our environment because it is an integral part of our country, our history and our heritage. On land and in the sea, our forefathers lived and survived in this environment. They were able to do so only because they recognised the need to conserve it, to take from it only what they needed to live, and to preserve it for succeeding generations.” - HH Sheikh Zayed There is a focus on environment and ecosystem in all their manifestations: natural, living and business. The Bedouin used to recycle everything and knew the importance of their natural surroundings. Nowadays, the emphasis is on the happiness of citizens and residents. There is a Minister of Happiness and Wellbeing, and also a Minister of Climate Change & Environment. Safety & Stability “We can be proud of what we enjoy in terms of stability, peace and an open society…. My dear citizens, the respect that the UAE enjoys in the international arena is the result of our principled foreign policy. This policy is based upon adherence to the Charter of the United Nations and to international conventions, upon the principles of non-interference in the internal affairs of others, upon respect for territorial integrity and the sovereignty of nations, upon a belief in solving conflict through peaceful means, and on support for the principles of right and justice. Foreign aid and assistance is one of the basic pillars of our foreign policy. For we believe that there is no true benefit for us from the wealth that we have unless it does not also reach those in need, wherever they may be, and regardless of their nationality or beliefs. That is why we have ensured that our brothers and our friends have shared in our wealth,” - HH Sheikh Zayed At the individual level, this is about being able to walk the street at night and leave your home unlocked in a way that is unthinkable anywhere else in the world. At a national level, it’s about surviving in a chaotic region, indeed in a chaotic world. As HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed has said, “The process of building man means, in the final analysis, building the nation and instilling the values of free, promising, stable and secure life”. I believe that these “8 Pillars of Wisdom” dovetail with the 10 “Principles of the UAE”, and underpin everything that the UAE stands for and strives to be. They are the golden threads that weave together the 50 interviews that I undertook to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of the country, and are visible in the fabric of the nation, from generation to generation, and bode well for the Next 50 and beyond. It is quite simply the secret of success in the UAE. 302 | Simply Abu Dhabi