Every week, The National looks at the people and politics of the UAE, as the country steps more confidently forward on the world stage.
July 31
Leaders visit house of martyr Saif Al Falasi
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, visited the house of Saif Al Falasi, who died while performing his national duty in the service of the Armed Forces as part of the Arab coalition’s Operation Restoring Hopeto support the people and the legitimate government of Yemen. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid, Crown Prince of Dubai, accompanied them.
Dubai transport statistics
The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced that the Dubai Metro carried more passengers during the first half of this year than in the same period last year: 88,252,034 people used the Metro and 1,854,055 used the tram between January and June.
Discussions with Luxembourg
The Head of the UAE Mission to the European Union, UAE Ambassador to Belgium and Non-resident ambassador to Luxembourg, Sulaiman Hamed Salem Al Mazrouei, met Jean Olinger, director of political affairs at the Luxembourg ministry of foreign affairs, and Manuel Tonnar, deputy director for development cooperation and humanitarian action at the ministry.
August 1
Hazza bin Zayed receives departing envoys
Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed, National Security Advisor and Deputy Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, received Tariq Beltayeb, Tunisian ambassador, Ahmed Yousef Sadiq, Sudanese ambassador, and Prof Adam Kachimovski, Poland’s ambassador, at the Supreme National Security Council.
Ajman strategic plan reviewed
The Ajman Strategic Plan 2016-2018 seeks to introduce international best practices and standards and contribute to government efforts aimed at securing better living standards for citizens and expatriate residents, Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman, said after reviewing progress of work on Cycle One of the plan.
August 2
Mohammed bin Rashid inspects Deira Wharf
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, inspected Deira Wharf – built by the Dubai Municipality at a cost of Dh250 million – at the entrance of Dubai Creek.
Greetings to president of Benin on national day
President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed sent a congratulatory cable to the president of Benin, Thomas Yayi Boni, on the national day anniversary of the republic. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, also sent cables.
Reception for governor-general of Australia
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, received Sir Peter Cosgrove, the governor-general of Australia, at Zabeel Palace.
August 3
Congratulations to Niger on independence day
President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed sent a congratulatory cable to president Mahamadou Issoufou Niger on his country’s independence day. Similar greetings were sent by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.
Etihad regional HQ in South Africa opened
Hamad Hareb Al Habsi, UAE Ambassador to South Africa, opened the new regional headquarters of Etihad Airways in Johannesburg, in the presence of Maurice Phohleli, vice president, Africa Sub-Sahara and Indian Ocean at Etihad, airline staff and diplomats.
August 4
Fujairah Crown Prince supports Ironman competitor
Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah, affirmed his support to Mohsen Al Ali, who is participating in the Ironman US championship.
UAE Ambassador meets Somali deputy prime minister
Mohammed Ahmed Osman Al Hammadi, UAE Ambassador to Somalia, met Mohamed Omar Arte, deputy prime minister of Somalia, at the cabinet headquarters in Mogadishu.
UAE Ambassador to Iraq inspects ERC’s projects
Hasan Ahmed Al Shehhi, UAE’s Ambassador to Iraq, inspected projects implemented by the Emirates Red Crescent (ERC) in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region. Mr Al Shehhi praised the ERC projects and toured facilities in Erbil that help Syrian refugees and displaced Iraqis.
August 5
RAK Ruler receives outgoing Egyptian ambassador
Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, received Ihab Imam Hamouda, Egypt’s ambassador to the UAE, who paid a courtesy visit to mark the end of his tenure.
UAE Embassy in Vietnam supports Agent Orange victims
The UAE Embassy in Vietnam will contribute to a walk organised in support of the victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin, who suffer with severe disabilities since being exposed to the toxic chemical during the Vietnam war.
Minister inspects dams after heavy rain
Dr Eng Abdullah Belhaif Al-Nuaimi, Minister of Public Works, inspected dams to ensure their safety after maintenance work following heavy rain in the central region.
Minister offers condolences to Al Nuaimi family
Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development, paid his condolences at Al Kharan district, RAK, to Ali Al Nuaimi on the death of his wife. Abdullah Al Nuaimi, UAE Permanent Representative to Unesco, and Mohammed Al Nuaimi, chief executive of Mawarid Group, who are sons of the deceased, were present.
RAK tourism sharpens focus on strategy
Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority held its first meeting to align with the plans of Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras al-Khaimah.
UAE Ambassador meets Iraqi deputy prime minister
Hassan Ahmed Al Shehhi, UAE Ambassador to Iraq, met Iraqi deputy prime minister Saleh al-Mutlaq to discuss cooperation between the countries.
Greetings to governor-general of Jamaica
President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed sent a congratulatory cable to Patrick Allen, governor-general of Jamaica, on the national day of Jamaica. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, sent congratulations.
UAE envoy meets Sudanese investment minister
Hamad Mohammed Al Junaibi, UAE Ambassador to Sudan, discussed ways to enhance bilateral ties with Mudathir Abdul-Ghani Abdul-Rahman, Sudanese investment minister.
August 6
Congratulations on Ivory Coast independence day
President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed sent a congratulatory cable to Alassane Ouattara, president of Ivory Coast, on his country’s independence day. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, sent cables.
UAE is largest aid donor to Yemen this year
The UAE is the largest aid donor to the humanitarian crisis in Yemen during this year, representing 31 per cent of the total. The Financial Tracking Service, a UN-managed database, found the value of humanitarian aid provided by the UAE to Yemen was Dh508.7m out of Dh1.65bn in global contributions.