Today, March 11, marks the 62nd birthday of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE. Over the course of many years, His Highness has been devoted to serving the people of the Emirates, earning a reputation as a kind, benevolent, and diligent leader among both locals and expatriates.
His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan is the President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Abu Dhabi. His Highness has been Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council since 2004. He served as Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi from 2004 until 2022. Prior to that, he served as Deputy Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi. He also served as Chief of Staff of the UAE Armed Forces from 1993 to 2005, before assuming the role of Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.
While his notable accomplishments have been plentiful, His Highness is equally respected for his ability to connect with individuals from all walks of life, including heads of state, workers, and frontline responders. Despite holding the highest office in the land, His Highness remains humble, much like his father, the late H.H. Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and is always willing to lend an ear. On this special day, as the country honors its beloved President, we take a moment to learn more about His Highness.
His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has committed his life to working with the late Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and leaders from other emirates to promote the social, economic, and cultural development of the UAE. His aim is to create a safer, more prosperous, and sustainable future for his people and country. As a leader, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan believes in empowering individuals to carve out their own paths and contribute to shaping the nation’s future. One of his notable qualities is servant leadership, which is evident in his interactions with citizens and residents on a daily basis, as well as through the Majlis (a gathering of leaders, citizens, and community members) and his formal and informal engagements.
Following in the footsteps of the late Sheikh Zayed and the late Sheikh Khalifa, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan prioritises investments in infrastructure and regional security as enablers of the wellbeing of people. He has:
- Prioritized the growth and advancement of higher education across Abu Dhabi
- Prioritized the development of strong national character, focusing on investing in sports
- Overseen the launch of the UAE’s Compulsory Military Service in 2014
- Supported the launch of initiatives to foster an inclusive and flourishing society through the launch of the Abu Dhabi Strategy for People of Determination
- Invested in partnerships that led to the establishment of world-class healthcare and Research and Development facilities
- Promoted high-quality investments that have energized the military industries ex. Edge and Tawazun.
- Supported the development of Abu Dhabi’s infrastructure and economy, most notably through Ghadan 21, an accelerator programme launched in 2018 with a budget of 50 billion dirhams.
Early years and schooling:
His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan spent his earliest years against a backdrop of remarkable change in Abu Dhabi. During the first ten years of his life, the following events occurred: Abu Dhabi began the exportation of oil in 1962; his father became Ruler of Abu Dhabi in 1966; the United Arab Emirates was formed in 1971; and his father was appointed the first President of the UAE in that same year.
The active pursuit of all forms of knowledge from a local and international perspective was central to his education. His learning included spending as much time at his father’s majlis and with tribal elders as he did in formal schooling in both Al Ain and Abu Dhabi, as well as the Royal Academy in Rabat.
Before embarking upon official duties, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan trained at HMA Sandhurst, the UK’s illustrious military academy, which he graduated from in 1979.
Family and personal interests:
His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan married Her Highness Sheikha Salama bint Hamdan bin Mohamed Al Nahyan in 1981, and in the years following saw the births four sons and five daughters, namely: Her Highness Sheikha Mariam, H.H. Sheikh Khaled, H.H. Sheikha Shamsa, H.H. Sheikh Theyab, H.H. Sheikh Hamdan, H.H. Sheikha Fatima, H.H. Sheikha Shamma, H.H. Sheikh Zayed and H.H. Sheikha Hassa. They have two adopted daughters, Amina and Salha, and 15 grandchildren. His Highness is passionate about falconry and poetry, particularly the Nabati style native to the region.
