His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, as well as Ruler of Dubai, praised the country’s achievements on its 51st National Day, including the way it is boosting tourism and dealing with the climate change.
“Our country is today one of the ten most attractive destinations in the world, and our goal is to increase our competitiveness and increase the contribution of tourism to our GDP to AED 450 billion by 2031,” he said in a statement
This comes as it was recently reported that Dubai topped the list of cities with the highest spending by international visitors in 2022, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council’s Economic Impact of Cities report.
The city racked up $29.4 billion in spending by international visitors so far this year, ahead of Doha ($16.8 billion) and London ($16.1 billion).
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum added that the UAE’s tourism strategy “aims to promote a unified national identity and support Emirati tourism, as part of the 50 Projects”, referring to economic and development projects which aim to establish the country’s status as a country. ideal destination for talents and investors.
Meanwhile, speaking on climate change, he said the UAE has prioritized climate action and implemented legislation, action plans and policies to address the issue.
It is contributing to international efforts to limit the rise in global temperatures through achievements in the field of clean energy, creating an ideal working environment for the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), as well as through a strategic partnership with the US to invest. $100 billion in clean energy projects in both countries and around the world by 2035, he said.
Next year, the United Arab Emirates will host the 28th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP28) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Abu Dhabi.
A “New World Order”
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said that while the world appears to be more advanced and connected than ever, “divisions are widening and humanitarian crises are occurring as a result of wars, pandemics, poverty and change climate”.
He said that “the world order that was established after the Second World War is beginning to be dismantled and a new world order is taking shape.”
“We are closely monitoring these changes, tracking their developments and addressing their impacts to protect our security, stability and development while preserving our principles and engaging with our partners in the Gulf Cooperation Council and the Arab region , as well as with the rest of the world.”
He concluded by saying: “In the era of change, transformation and artificial intelligence, we must protect our values, heritage and traditions and ensure a balance between them and new developments.”
Meanwhile, UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan said on Twitter that the day “holds a special place in the history of the UAE, when the founding fathers of our nation came together to establish the Union “.
Politicians, diplomats mark the occasion
Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, Pakistan’s ambassador to the UAE, said in a statement that “the UAE is home to 1.6 million of a strong and law-abiding Pakistani community that acts as a bridge between the two countries and strengthens contact between people.
“Remittances sent by these workers who came to the UAE to earn an honest living have also been a major factor in Pakistan’s social and economic rise.”
HE Hamad Obaid Al Zaabi, UAE Ambassador to Pakistan, said the UAE helped flood those affected in the South Asian country by establishing a humanitarian airlift, which brought 57 flights to Pakistan, and 205 containers arrived in Pakistan with thousands of tons of food. , health packages and various welcome materials.
“The UAE and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan rejoice in a unique friendship that has withstood various tests and the scope of our cooperation has expanded over time,” he said in a statement.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Twitter that the day “is a reminder of the dynamic vision of its founding fathers who laid the foundations of a great nation through unification.”
Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto tweeted that the UAE’s impressive economic development under his visionary leadership is recognized by the world, while Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar noted that Pakistan and the UAE “are long-standing friends and partners and we look forward to working more closely at bilateral and multilateral levels to strengthen the existing relationship.”