SEVEN-POINTED STAR
The UAE is a testament to the spirit of cooperation, with its federal institutions having taken deep root and brought about the kind of stability that is becoming increasingly rare in the region.
In Europe and the Americas, federations can be more of an exercise in crisis control and disaster management than examples of clean, efficient, technologically proficient management of people and resources toward the benefit of the greater public good.
According to this metric, the most effective federations in the world are the UAE and Switzerland, two countries with far more in common than may first strike the eye. For centuries, Switzerland developed as a bastion of peaceful neutrality in a sea of rivaling powers: its extraordinary wealth after centuries of peaceful development and coexistence among far more violent and unstable neighbors is the most forceful testament to this.
Much the same can be said of the UAE, an oasis of smart governance, peaceful cohabitation, tolerance, innovation, and ingenuity in the midst of muddied international waters.
The federal government of the UAE was founded in 1971 under the extraordinary prescience of the leader of Abu Dhabi, the renowned Sheikh Zayed, who was quick to seize the moment of independence from Britain and propose a federation with his counterpart (and brother-in-law) in Dubai, Sheikh Rashid.
At their famed meeting in the desert at Argoub El Sedira in the winter of 1968, they had already laid the basis for the future United Arab Emirates. In 1971, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, and Fujairah immediately joined the union. In February 1972, it was Ras Al Khaimah's turn.
A question of luck and leadership determined a great deal of the Emirates' early development, for neither the discovery of oil nor the departure of the British would have been worth a Lebanese lira without the visionary guidance of Zayed and Rashid.
The practically seamless transition for all seven Emirates into a unified and universally well-developed federation over the following decades is a tribute to the legacy left by Sheikh Zayed, inaugural president of the UAE from 1971 until his death in 2004. For ensuring the cash- and carbon-poor northern emirates were given lucrative subsidies to develop in step with Abu Dhabi, the most carbon-rich emirate, and Dubai, the savvy commercial entrepôt, was hardly pre-ordained.
Rather, it took farsighted leadership, which Sheikh Zayed had in no short measure, to transform the minor fishing and pearling outpost into one of the world's leading commercial, cultural, financial, and increasingly, knowledge-based research centers.
As the most recent budget reveals, the UAE's federal government has not only shown itself fiscally prudent but also socially sound. When details of the federal budget for 2018-2021 were released in November, two important things stood out: not only did the government perfectly balance its budget, with AED51.38 billion in expenditure to equal the same in revenues, it spent far more progressively than many of the world's most advanced economies.
Earmarking AED26.3 billion to social development programs, some 43.5% of the entire federal budget, the UAE is far outspending other developed nations in ensuring its citizens enjoy some of the highest development and living standards on the planet. Compare this to social welfare expenditure in France (31.5% in 2016), the second-highest in the world, Finland (30.8%), the third, or Belgium (29%), the fourth—not to mention those further down the list such as the US (19.3%), and the numbers speak for themselves.
Figures for education expenditure were equally revealing. Devoting some AED10.4 billion to teaching the youth of the UAE over the same period, some 17.1% of the federal budget, the government once again showed its money to be much more than where its mouth was.
Compare this to similar spending rates on education in countries like the US (6.2%), UK (5.7%), and Japan (3.6%)—or the global average of merely 4.9%—and once again the federal government of the UAE reveals a long-term prescience and frame of mind that many governments the world over would do well to mimic.
As part of the government's broader educational push, in December it launched the Mohammad Bin Rashid Centre for Accelerated Research (MBRCAR), a huge joint scientific research initiative that includes a financial grant for a research community of some 3,000 scientists to carry out new and groundbreaking work in the field of space science and technology.
In a concerted bid to find urgent solutions to some of the world's most pressing problems, one of MBRCAR's primary tasks will be to boost the speed and efficiency with which scientific research is carried out and in the process increase the speed with which findings are made by 10, reduce the cost of research by 70%, and accelerate the scientific research process by 50%. The three biggest areas of research in the immediate future will focus on life support and transport technologies and better construction techniques.
A far more ambitious offshoot of MBRCAR is the Mohammad Bin Rashid Global Space Challenge (MBRGSC), a huge concerted effort to fund “the first and only global platform for funding unconventional solutions… to unlock the future of space settlement." Apart from the UAE's twin UAE Mars City and the Mars 2117 Project space programs, the first of which will construct a simulated human settlement on Mars in the Emirati desert and the second of which aims to put a human settlement on Mars by the year 2117, Sheikh Mohammad also launched the UAE's first Astronaut program. This will select, train, and prepare four Emirati astronauts well enough to be able to visit and help man the International Space Station within the next five years.
Without a moment to lose, the federal government is not only facing some of the biggest challenges at home and in the region, but also for humanity at large. Nearly three generations after the federation's founding, Abu Dhabi, the Emirates' capital, remains the master strategist and diplomatic ringleader while accounting for 85% of the country's land mass and 94% of its oil reserves (the bulk of which lie in the offshore Zakum oilfield), some 92.2 billion barrels. In terms of natural resources, Dubai comes in a distant second with 4 billion barrels, while Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah have 1.5 billion and 100 million, respectively.
Yet, whatever their disparities in natural endowments are more than made up for in good governance and equitable power-sharing structures.
Abu Dhabi is at the center of the UAE, with its ruler always acting as President of the UAE. Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan is the President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, while Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, is also a significant figure and active on the diplomatic scene. Dubai's Ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, acts as the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE. In his role as PM, Sheikh Mohammed is in charge of forming the Federal Cabinet, and has surprised in the past, appointing Shamma Al Mazrui, the youngest government minister in the world at 22, as the Minister of State for Youth Affairs, and creating the Ministry of Happiness.
In October 2017, he surprised again, creating three new ministries, appointing 27-year-old Omar bin Sultan Al Olama as Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, 30-year-old Sara Al Amiri as Minister of State for Advanced Sciences, and Mariam Al Muhairi as Minister of State for Food Security. The Cabinet is the executive branch of the federation, and handles all internal and external affairs related to the federation.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Inside Perspective
Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister, UAE
Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, on the Smart Dubai Happiness Agenda, the standout projects over the last year, and the Year of Giving.
read articleProfile
Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Federal Supreme Council and Ruler , Sharjah
Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Federal Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, has been instrumental in the growth and development of Sharjah, with his passion for academia a driving force in the growth of the knowledge economy.
read articleInside Perspective
Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, , Member of the Federal Supreme Council and Ruler , Ras Al Khaimah
Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Member of the Federal Supreme Council and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, on what makes the Emirate such a great place to visit, do business, and invest.
read articleInterview
Sheikh Mohammed bin Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Crown Prince, Ras Al Khaimah
TBY talks to Sheikh Mohammed bin Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Crown Prince of Ras Al Khaimah, on the fundamentals behind the Emirate's strong growth and the work that goes into improving the economic outlook for the next generation.
read articleInterview
Christer Viktorsson, Directing General, Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR)
TBY talks to Christer Viktorsson, Director General of the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR), on the role of the institution in advancing the nuclear energy regulatory environment, the Barakah Power Plant, and the importance of an integrated network.
read articleInterview
Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Directing General, UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA)
TBY talks to Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director General of UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), on opportunities in the sector and GCAA's contributions to the development of aviation in Abu Dhabi.
read articleInterview
Dr. Eng. Mohammed Nasser Al Ahbabi, Director General, UAE Space Agency
TBY talks to Dr. Eng. Mohammed Nasser Al Ahbabi, Director General of the UAE Space Agency, on the mandate of the agency, cooperating with international space agencies, and developing a solid private ecosystem.
read articleInterview
Mohammed Ahmed Bin Abdul Aziz Alshehhi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Economy , UAE
TBY talks to Mohammed Ahmed Bin Abdul Aziz Alshehhi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Economy of the UAE, on the value of creativity, the development of the industrial sector, and supporting SME development.
read articleInterview
Mansour Al Mansoori, Directing General, National Media Council (NMC)
TBY talks to Mansour Al Mansoori, Director General of the National Media Council (NMC), on the changing nature of media consumption in the UAE, developing local content, and improving literacy in the Emirates.
read articleInterview
Khalifa Bin Salem Al Mansouri, , Undersecretary of the Department , Economic Development – Abu Dhabi (ADDED)
TBY talks to Khalifa Bin Salem Al Mansouri, Undersecretary of the Department of Economic Development – Abu Dhabi (ADDED), on its plans to make the Emirate a better place to do business, the new industrial plan, and how it is fostering innovation.
read articleInterview
Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, Group CEO & Managing Director, Mubadala Investment Company
TBY talks to Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, Group CEO & Managing Director of Mubadala Investment Company, on how the merging of two key investment entities will drive Abu Dhabi's diversification strategy.
read articleInterview
Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, CEO, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC Group)
TBY talks to Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, CEO of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC Group), on the significance of ADNOC Distribution's listing on ADX, investing in downstream, and the importance of strategic partnerships.
read articleInterview
Maryam Eid AlMheiri, CEO, Media Zone Authority – Abu Dhabi & twofour54
TBY talks to Maryam Eid AlMheiri, CEO of the Media Zone Authority – Abu Dhabi & twofour54, on the growth and development of the Emirate as a media and film production hub, and the Emirati values she hopes to spread during the “Year of Zayed."
read articleColumn
Laurent A. Voivenel, Senior Vice President Operations and Development for the Middle East, India, and Africa, Swiss-Belhotel International
TBY talks to Laurent A. Voivenel, Senior Vice President Operations and Development for the Middle East, India, and Africa, Swiss-Belhotel International, on the sector.
read articleInterview
Hamad Buamim, President & CEO, Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry
TBY talks to Hamad Buamim, President & CEO of Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry, on boosting trade with Latin America, digitizing government services, and capitalizing on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.
read articleInterview
Sami Al Qamzi, Directing General, Department of Economic Development (DED)
TBY talks to Sami Al Qamzi, Director General of the Department of Economic Development (DED), on transforming Dubai into a smart economy, creating the happiest city in the world, and securing a knowledge-based economy for the future.
read articleFocus: Global reach of DP World
A Whole New World
The familiar strategy of strong centralized leadership coupled with copious capital reserves and an aggressive acquisition strategy has lead DP World to global recognition within two decades. Today, the company's global positioning can be used as a tool for developing infrastructure in high-growth markets for the larger benefit of UAE investment and trade.
read articleInterview
Sheikh Ahmed bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Chairman, Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ)
TBY talks to Sheikh Ahmed bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Chairman of Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ), on the establishment of the economic zone, the benefits of operating in the zone, and attracting international clients.
read articleInterview
Ramy Jallad, Group CEO , Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ)
TBY talks to Ramy Jallad, Group CEO of Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ), RAK Free Trade Zone (RAK FTZ), and RAK Investment Authority (RAKIA), on the Emirate's comfortable position within the GCC, increasing investment, and upcoming projects.
read articleInterview
Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson , Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq)
TBY talks to Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), on the principles guiding Sharjah's economic development strategy, opportunities for private sector contribution, and the role of entrepreneurship in the Emirate.
read articleInterview
Sultan Abdullah bin Hadda Al Suwaidi, Chairman, Sharjah Economic Development Department (SEDD)
TBY talks to Sultan Abdullah bin Hadda Al Suwaidi, Chairman of the Sharjah Economic Development Department (SEDD), on attracting FDI and optimizing customer satisfaction to support Sharjah's economic growth.
read articleInterview
Sheikh Khalid bin Rashid Al Mua’lla, Chairman, UAQ FTZ
TBY talks to Sheikh Khalid bin Rashid Al Mua'lla, Chairman of UAQ FTZ, on enacting the most investor-friendly set up processes, providing the right world-class amenities for long-term growth, and serving as a great impetus for industrial diversification.
read articleInterview
Saeed Nasser Al Talay, Chairman, Umm Al Quwain Chamber of Commerce and Industry
TBY talks to Saeed Nasser Al Talay, Chairman of Umm Al Quwain Chamber of Commerce and Industry, on the biggest land investment opportunities, boosting investment in IT and construction, and on best PPP collaboration practices.
read articleInterview
Ali Eissa Alnuami, Directing General, Department of Economic Development-Ajman (DED-Ajman)
TBY talks to Ali Eissa Alnuami, Director General of the Department of Economic Development-Ajman (DED-Ajman), on increasing investor happiness, enhancing consumer rights, and treating foreigners like locals.
read articleFocus: Maritime Infrastructure
Big Impacts
The Ajman government is planning on building a new port in Al Zowra that will allow the Emirate to receive larger ships and handle a larger number of containers. The expected investment is AED2 billion (USD544 million) and is supposed to be complete by the third quarter of 2020.
read articleInterview
Dr. Thumbay Moideen, Founder & President, Thumbay
TBY talks to Dr. Thumbay Moideen, Founder & President of Thumbay, on helping build the Emirate's finest medical and educational facilities, expanding the medical tourism push from Africa, and making the right kind of generational impact.
read articleInterview
Mohammed O. Bin Majed Al Aleeli, Managing Director, Fujairah Department of Industry and Economy
TBY talks to Mohammed O. Bin Majed Al Aleeli, Managing Director of Fujairah Department of Industry and Economy, on supporting economic development, advancing oil transport services, and advising SMEs to draw attention to Fujairah.
read articleInterview
Khalid Mohammed Al Jassim, Directing General, Fujairah Chamber of Commerce and Industry
TBY talks to Khalid Mohammed Al Jassim, Director General of Fujairah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, on facilitation of domestic and foreign business relations, Fujairah's advantages as an emirate, and opportunities for diversification.
read articleInterview
Dr. Salem Abdu Khalil Mohamed Al Zyni,, Technical Advisor , Fujairah at Fujairah Oil Terminals
TBY talks to Dr. Salem Abdu Khalil Mohamed Al Zyni, Technical Advisor for the government of Fujairah at Fujairah Oil Terminals, on getting vessels to switch from offshore to onshore, the cyclical nature of the industry, and staying one step ahead of clients' needs.
read article