Paying special tribute to his brother Sheikh Khalifa, President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan promised to build a nation that will continue to champion peace and stability in the region.
In his first televised address to the nation, Sheikh Mohamed expressed infinite pride in the people of the UAE and highlighted "the valued role of residents who consider this country their second home and their continued contributions in building and developing the UAE since its union".
He stressed that empowering the people of the UAE will continue to be "the nation’s top priority".
The UAE President also shined the spotlight on the "thriving UAE economy, which continues to grow at an impressive rate" thanks to the contributions of "vibrant, young manpower" of "more than 200 nationalities".
His Highness also took pride in how the "UAE has ranked among the most advanced nations globally", and has turned into "one of the best places to live and work".
Drawing inspiration from the UAE's founding fathers and their "unfaltering leadership", Sheikh Mohamed said the country will continue "to strengthen dialogue between countries", "champion peace and stability in the region and the wider world" and "provide humanitarian aid to communities in need around the world, irrespective of religion or race".
For the "next chapter", Sheikh Mohamed looked at consolidating the nation’s position as a reliable energy provider, and "to support global energy security as a fundamental driver of global economic growth and development".
The UAE leader also looked at "further strengthening our people’s capabilities in science and technology... to benefit all economic areas" and to collaborate with the private sector "to increase its contribution to the economy".
"The sovereignty and security of the UAE will remain a foundational principle that we will abide with, and we will not tolerate anything that could affect it," he added.
Watch Sheikh Mohamed's address to the nation here:
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