His Majesty Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE President and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, died on Friday, May 13, according to the Ministry of Presidential Affairs.
“The Ministry of Presidential Affairs expresses its condolences to the people of the UAE, the Arab and Islamic nations, and the world on the passing of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE,” a Wam statement said.
Since November 3, 2004, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan has served as President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi.
He was elected to succeed his father, the late His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who was the UAE’s first president from the union’s inception in 1971 until his death on November 2, 2004.
Sheikh Khalifa, born in 1948, was the second President of the United Arab Emirates and the 16th Ruler of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
He was Sheikh Zayed’s eldest son.
Sheikh Khalifa has presided over a major restructuring of both the Federal Government and the government of Abu Dhabi since becoming President of the UAE.
Under his leadership, the UAE has seen rapid development, ensuring a decent standard of living for its citizens.
After being elected President, Sheikh Khalifa launched the UAE government’s first strategic plan to achieve balanced and sustainable development, with the prosperity of UAE citizens and residents at the center.
His main goal as President of the UAE was to follow in the footsteps of his father, Sheikh Zayed, whose legacy, he said, “will continue to be the beacon guiding us into the future, a prosperous future where security and stability will reign.”
Sheikh Khalifa oversaw the development of the oil and gas sector, as well as downstream industries, which have successfully contributed to the country’s economic diversification.
He conducted extensive tours throughout the UAE to study the needs of the Northern Emirates, during which he gave instructions for the construction of a number of housing, education, and social services projects.
Furthermore, he launched an initiative to modernize the nomination system for Federal National Council members, which was viewed as a first step toward the establishment of direct elections in the UAE.