Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed final ADD

"We are brothers and sisters, moving today and every day with a steady and confident pace in the areas of sustainable development, so as to reap the fruit of these efforts by the U.A.E. people now, tomorrow and in the future, and in particular that the wise leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, emphasises the priorities of the citizen, empowering, progressing and ensuring his well-being in all areas. These areas are at the forefront of our priorities, especially in the strategic plans of the U.A.E.'s vision for the future, and in particular that human beings will continue to be the objective and the purpose in our strategic plans, as well as strengthening and maintaining national stability, and the consolidation of unity between the sons of the nation in their united home, more and more adhering to the principles of our constitution in preserving the rights and protection of freedoms and respect for the law. "But today, dear brothers and sisters, we are also invited to shoulder other responsibilities of great importance leading in the future, that we endeavour to complete the process of construction, and these responsibilities require more effort, perseverance and will, especially in the field of creation and innovation. At the forefront of these responsibilities, empowering our people through a knowledge-based economy will be the main engine for sustainable development in the future. As you all know, the wise leadership of the country has been keen to diversify sources of income for the country, and at the same time maintain the national wealth for the benefit of future generations, in order to provide the opportunity for other sources of non-oil wealth to be given the greater share of the GDP. "Dear brothers and sisters, the leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan will never neglect the importance that the U.A.E. attaches to shouldering its national and historical responsibilities and its Arab, regional and international role, as well as its humanitarian role in everything that contributes to laying the foundations of development, security, stability and peace in the entire region, and all over the world. "The U.A.E. also recognises its role in counter-terrorism in all its forms, trends and types, whether it's the kind that depends on spreading a culture of violence, destruction as a means and a goal for it, or the one that depends on terrorism of thought and seeks to impose a creed of intellectual, ideological and sectarian terrorism on others by force, violence, exclusion or the refusal to engage in dialogue and consider other opinions, with the aim of personal and factional domination at the expense of the goals and the higher interests of the people. "The developments experienced by the region and the political and security changes taking place in the world, make it imperative for all our countries to strengthen efforts, unify visions and adopt strategies consistent with these variables and challenges in order to achieve regional and international stability, security and peace, as well as promote development and stability for the peoples of the world. "While we are celebrating our 42nd National Day, we all feel extreme joy and pleasure that this year's National Day coincides with the selection of Dubai as host of the 2020 World EXPO. "On this glorious day, we all have to renew our confidence in, and our loyalty to, President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, we pledge to do everything to achieve the hopes of our people in having a prosperous and decent life, asking Allah Almighty to keep Sheikh Khalifa safe, and for His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, U.A.E. Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and Their Highnesses The Supreme Council Members and Rulers of the Emirates, and the Emirati people; may Allah help us all in serving our beloved country." WAM/HM/CM