UAE People & Politics: A week in review

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, the Crown Prince of Dubai, presents the Smart Journalism Award to Mohammed Al Hammadi, the editor-in-chief of Al Ittihad newspaper, the Arabic-language sister paper of The Show more

Every week, The National takes a look at the people and politics of the UAE, as the country steps more confidently on to the world stage.

May 8

Nahyan bin Mubarak praises Mohammed bin Zayed's role in cultural movement

Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development, praised the role played by Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, in enriching the cultural movement in the UAE.

Leaders congratulate Cameron on winning British parliamentary election

President Sheikh Khalifa sent a cable to David Cameron, leader of the British Conservative Party, congratulating him on his party winning the parliamentary election and his assignment to form a new government. Similar cables of congratulations were sent by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.

May 9

UAE Ambassador to UN: UAE’s priorities centre around meeting shared global challenges

Ambassador Lana Nusseibeh, UAE Permanent Representative UN, delivered remarks at the Spring Meeting of the Women’s Leadership Board at the John F Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University in the US. On the closing day of the meeting, Ms Nusseibeh delivered a briefing on the Middle East.

Abdullah bin Zayed visits Family Development Foundation pavilion at book fair

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs, visited the Family Development Foundation pavilion at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair. During the visit, Sheikh Abdullah was briefed on the services provided by the foundation through its centres. He was received by Mariam Al Rumaithi, director general of the foundation, along with other officials.

Sheikha Fatima honours winners of athletic award

Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union, Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation and President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, received at Al Bahar Palace the chairperson and members of Supreme Committee of the Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Award for Woman Athletes.

Ruler of Sharjah arrives for visit in Cairo

Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah, arrived in Cairo on an official visit. Dr Sheikh Sultan visited centres and institutes, and met senior Egyptian officials to discuss ways to strengthen cooperation in the cultural and academic areas.

May 10

RAK Ruler receives outgoing American consul general

Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, today received Robert Waller, US consul general, in Dubai. Mr Waller was paying a courtesy visit to mark the end of his tenure in the UAE. Sheikh Saqr wished Mr Waller success in future assignments and praised his efforts in strengthening the bonds of cooperation between the UAE and the US at various levels.

Lubna: Zayed University continues to pursue excellence at academic and administrative levels

Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, president of Zayed University and Minister of International Cooperation and Development, affirmed Zayed University’s keenness to continue to pursue excellence and distinction at both academic and administrative levels.

May 11

Hamdan bin Zayed receives delegation from National Archives

Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed, Ruler’s Representative in the Western Region, received a delegation from the National Archives at Al Nakheel Palace.

FNC Speaker meets Secretary General of Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union

Mohammed Al Murr, Speaker of the Federal National Council has met Noureddine Bouchkouj, secretary general of the Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union, and discussed ways of activating the parliamentary relations between the member states of the Arab Parliamentary Union, confirming the importance of communication and the exchange of experience, as well as benefiting from the experiences of parliamentary countries.

Ruler of Sharjah opens archaeology building in Egypt

Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah, affirmed his support of the General Union of Arab Archaeologists in its decisions and goals in preserving the achievements of the Arab nation for future generations. Dr Sheikh Sultan was on a visit to Egypt in which he also met senior Egyptian officials and visited various institutions.

Saif bin Zayed meets Omani Ambassador

Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, met Sheikh Mohammed Al Qatabi, the Omani ambassador.

Gargash receives UN Special Envoy for Yemen

Dr Anwar Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, received Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, the UN Special Envoy for Yemen, to discuss the outlook for a political solution to the situation in Yemen that is based on the Gulf Cooperation Council initiative, the outcome of Yemeni national dialogue and the relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council, Resolution 2216 in particular. The two parties also addressed the preparations for the Yemeni Dialogue Conference in Riyadh, the escalating humanitarian crisis in Yemen, and relief.

Hamdan bin Zayed receives UAE Paralympic and fulfils wish of special needs pupil

Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed, Ruler’s Representative in the Western Region, received at Al Nakheel Palace Mohammed Al Hameli, chairman of the UAE Disabled Sports Federation, who was accompanied by Abdullah Al Aryani, member of the UAE Paralympic shooting team and world Paralympic champion.

May 12

Abdullah bin Zayed and EU official meet on relations

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Foreign Minister, spoke with Federica Mogherini, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, in a telephone conversation. They discussed bilateral relations between the UAE and the European Union and issues of mutual concern, and latest political developments in Yemen and Libya. Sheikh Abdullah also exchanged congratulations with Ms Mogherini on the occasion of the signing of an agreement on the exemption of UAE nationals from Schengen visa requirements in Brussels.

May 13

Ajman Ruler receives Somali Consul-General

Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Ruler of Ajman, today received Omer Abdul Aziz Noor, Somali consul general in Dubai, who paid him a courtesy visit at his office in the Emiri Court. Sheikh Humaid welcomed the consul general and the two shared cordial discussion on mutual relations, and talked of existing bilateral cooperation between the UAE and Somalia and ways of consolidating them for the benefit of the two brotherly peoples.

Saif bin Zayed gifts 1,000 copies of Police Encyclopedia to Education Council

Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, has given 1,000 copies of the Abu Dhabi Police Encyclopedia to the Abu Dhabi Education Council to be distributed in the capital’s school libraries, as part of the “Abu Dhabi Reads 2015” campaign which aims to encourage reading as a habit, especially among students.

Ruler of Fujairah visits 9th Fujairah Career Fair 2015

Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Ruler of Fujairah, toured the 9th Fujairah Career Fair 2015, accompanied by Sheikh Dr Rashid bin Hamad Al Sharqi, Chairman of the Fujairah Culture and Media Authority. Organised by the Fujairah Government Human Resources Department, 120 government agencies and semi-government, and private sector firms are taking part in the fair.

UAE’s development is not superficial, Gargash says

Dr Anwar Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, said development in the UAE was “serene, serious and successful”, during the Arab Media Forum in Dubai. In contrast, the Middle East was “at its worst in the history of Arabian politics”, he said.

Dubai Crown Prince meets heads of Dubai hospitals

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, underscored that Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, would not tolerate any department or sector in Dubai or the UAE that does not meet the aspirations and expectations of the UAE citizens, during a meeting with Dubai hospital chiefs. He said that he was closely following up the services provided to Emiratis and their satisfaction levels, and he always monitored staff satisfaction rates in all sectors and directed everyone to take necessary steps, and provided the best institutional environments.

May 14

FNC and Spanish senate sign cooperation agreement

Mohammed Al Murr, Speaker of the Federal National Council, and Pio Garcia-Escuder, president of the Spanish senate, have signed a cooperation agreement to strengthen relations between the two bodies. Mr Al Murr said that the cooperation agreement would contribute to the activation of parliamentary cooperation and exchange of experiences with the Spanish Parliament to unify positions and visions towards various issues that are reviewed in various parliamentary forums. The signing ceremony, which took place in Madrid, was attended by a number of FNC members, Dr Mohammed Salem Al Mazroui, FNC secretary general, and Dr Hessa Al Otaiba, UAE Ambassador to Spain.

Sheikh Nahyan thanks Sheikha Fatima for award

Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development, said he was proud to have been recognised as Local Personality Supporting Youth Issues, by the Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak International Award for Arab Youth. Sheikh Nahyan thanked Sheikha Fatima, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union, Supreme President of the Family Development Foundation and Head of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood. He also hailed Sheikha Fatima’s contributions towards human development.