His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, said hoisting the UAE flag today at the Union House on the 45th National Day anniversary was a revival of the historic moment when the leadership and the people’s will was crowned with the union.

"As we raise the UAE flag on the 45th National Day anniversary, we glorify a symbol of our unity and we remember with gratitude the founder, late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and his brothers, the founding fathers and Rulers of the Emirates, who raised the flag for the first time at the Union House on 2nd December, 1971, announcing that the will of the people had overcome all challenges, obstacles and difficulties, and that a new Arab nation had just emerged on the shores of the Arabian Gulf. At that moment, the UAE made history and showed the world that sincere and dedicated efforts, free of meaningless slogans, ideologies and personal gains, created this pioneering Arab experience," he said in a statement, following the flag hoisting ceremony.

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed said that the raising of the flag on the National Day anniversary was a revival of the historic moment when the will of the leadership and the people led to the union.

"It is a moment to renew our pledge to sustain the country’s union, to achieve comprehensive development and to safeguard and defend the legacy, left behind by our forefather, with blood and souls, and to keep this dear anniversary alive in the hearts of all Emiratis, to inspire them to work hard and to rally behind their leadership for the ever strong and united UAE," he added.

Raising the flag also helps connect new generations with their rich and glorious past and enables them to understand the sacrifices made to make the UAE what it is today, he noted.

"Under this flag, raised and defended by our forefathers, the UAE has made a tremendous progress and will continue to do so under the wise leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan."

Since 1971, the UAE flag had been a symbol of the country’s excellence, the leadership’s aspirations and the people’s loyalty to the country and its leadership, and their readiness to obey the call of duty at any time, the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince said.

"The UAE flag is also a symbol of development, progress, happiness, tolerance, openness, humanity and all other noble and positive values that the UAE aspires to lead in and to motivate other nations to adopt. This task puts a huge responsibility on every Emirati, but we are confident that our people possess the determination and the ability to contribute to the progress of their country and we are assured that the future of our country is in good hands when we see the loyal Emiratis expressing their love for their country and never hesitating to sacrifice for it," he added.

"Our flag will always fly high, thanks to our leadership’s wisdom and to our people's loyalty," he concluded.