To be the son of a noble man and a great leader is surely a delightful destiny, but to be an extension to his attributes that are highly reflected in a wise mind, vision and generosity is in fact a challenge that only few people can meet.  

In other words, being the "the Finest Successor to the Finest Predecessor" is a grace bestowed by God on a few people who inherit and demonstrate special traits of strong belief, high ethics, wits, and sound mind and the courage to establish justice among their fellow people. Following the steps of their predecessors, these leaders are well-prepared and equipped to lead their people, thus making them beacons that would guide the future generations into safe and prosperous destinations. 

His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan is the model of this type of men. He was born in 1948 to a well-rooted family in the city of Al Ain. The son of a man who had all the noble qualities that qualified him to be the maker of history, not only for Al Ain and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, but also for the whole region, upon his remarkable success in establishing the United Arab Emirates and building its renaissance, until it became an example to be followed among the Arab countries and the world.

His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan was close to his father, Sheikh Zayed, when he was the representative of the Ruler of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi in Al Ain City and the Eastern Region. Closeness to Sheikh Zayed gave him the opportunity to learn the arts of leadership and administration. Three years after Sheikh Zayed had assumed power in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, in 1969, Sheikh Khalifa was appointed as the Crown Prince. At that time, he had just completed 21 year of age. Sheikh Khalifa's appointment was received with a grand welcome from Al Nahyan family and the local community because they knew Sheikh Khalifa, and his good qualities and characteristics.  

Here, it is worth mentioning that the presence of Sheikh Zayed as his role model had helped him in carrying out the tasks assigned to him. The most important thing that he learnt from his father at that period was patience, forbearance and careful consideration of all matters to avoid undesirable consequences of hasty decisions.

Since he is the elder son and was the right hand man of the late Sheikh Zayed, Sheikh Khalifa was familiar with his people's concerns and aspirations, and well aware of the small details of their daily lives. This closeness enriched his life with multiple day-to-day activities.

Recalling the memories of his appointment as the Crown Prince, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa says: "I would not reveal a secret if I say that I did not know beforehand about the decision made by His Highness, my Father, and although at that time I was still young, I knew exactly the huge responsibility and the great duties associated with my new position."

In 1969, as His Highness Sheikh Khalifa became the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, the efforts to establish the federal union of the United Arab Emirates gained momentum and Sheikh Zayed was at the center of these efforts. As Sheikh Zayed was deeply involved in building the federal state, it was natural that he would delegate major parts of his ruling responsibilities in Abu Dhabi to his son, the Crown Prince, who proved was capable of shouldering more and more burdens. On February 1969, Sheikh Khalifa had assumed the duties of the Defense Department in Abu Dhabi and on July 1st 1971, he became the Prime Minister of Abu Dhabi, in addition to assuming the responsibilities of Defense and Finance.

With the formation of the Union State on the 2^nd of December 1971, the responsibilities of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan increased remarkably. In addition to his positions on the local level of Abu Dhabi Emirate, he assumed his first federal position when he was appointed as the Federal Deputy Prime Minister; a position that meant a lot in a country that needs a comprehensive and transformative change.

The new role, and the huge responsibilities that came along with it, however, neither undermined Sheikh Khalifa's enthusiasm nor affected his efforts on the local level of Abu Dhabi. He said: "The will of building this nation generates happiness within myself, and motivates me to sacrifice and give more." He completed the restructuring of the government body in the Abu Dhabi Emirate in a manner that corresponds to the formation of the Union. Sheikh Khalifa dissolved the local Cabinet, and replaced it with an Executive Council, led by himself, on February 20^th 1974.    

Under this new government re-structuring process, it was determined that some sectors shall be placed under local supervision, while other local facilities and services shall be attached to the federal government. This had a double effect: it enhanced the federal entity by spreading its umbrella to include some local facilities, while it maintained some forms of decentralization in managing some daily life affairs.

The distribution of powers between local and federal authorities has also affected Sheikh Khalifa's role in managing the country. Since Abu Dhabi is the biggest and richest Emirate among its other sister emirates, it was destined for the Emirate to shoulder the largest share of responsibility, especially when it comes to matters of establishing, managing and funding federal institutions, a matter that added to the already crowded list of priorities for His Highness Sheikh Khalifa.

Moreover, important aspects of the federal work continued until he left his federal position as the Federal Deputy Prime Minister in 1974. His Highness Sheikh Khalifa resumed his federal duties in 1976, but this time as the Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces of the United Arab Emirates, following the historic resolution made by the Supreme Council of the Union to merge the Armed Forces under one Command and one Flag, in order to better enable him to develop and build these forces.

The accomplishments that were achieved in the field of building the federal Armed Forces represented an important page in the history of the Emirates. The balanced characteristic of the foreign policy of the United Arab Emirates and its strong focus on bolstering good relations with its Arab, regional and international surroundings, made it a country with almost no enemies, a reality that led to the introduction of a different role for the Emirati Armed Forces other than the traditional role of armies.

Sheikh Khalifa focused on making the military establishment a huge institution with multiple specializations, where trained human cadres are prepared. Several military colleges were established, including air and marine colleges. And within Ten years; the Emirati Armed Forces and its establishments produced many leaders whose roles in the country were not limited to the military life, but spread to all aspects of civil work also.

The new character of the Emirati military establishment could be attributed to the vision and philosophy of Sheikh Khalifa on which this establishment was built. As much as he places importance on building and developing this establishment in a manner that responds to the functions and roles it was built to handle, he places the same importance to building the state with all of its establishments. His Highness says: "building the state is a dual process; it is building the strength of the country and at the same time, it represents the strength of building. Building the army is parallel to, and in complete balance with, the civilian growth process."

In the final quarter of 2004, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan passed away, and with his death, the Emirates and its people lost a gracious and generous father, while the Arabs and the world lost a leader. All eyes and hearts turned to the growing state to see who shall take the lead, but the waiting was not long, the wise Sheiks of the Emirates, the members of the Supreme Council of the Union, met at Al Bateen Palace in Abu Dhabi to discuss and decide the successor.

The historical meeting was presided over by the late Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum in his capacity as the Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. The meeting was attended by the Rulers of the Emirates who unanimously agreed to elect His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, as the President of the United Arab Emirates. Immediately after the meeting, they issued a statement declaring their decision to the public, which included: "Under Article 51 of the Permanent Constitution, His Highness Sheikh khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler of Abu Dhabi, is unanimously elected as the President of the United Arab Emirates in succession to the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan."

Their highnesses, the members of the Supreme Council of the Union, the Rulers of the Emirates, confirmed during the meeting that was chaired by the late Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashed Al Maktoum, their resolve to remain loyal to the distinguished principles of leadership and rule established by the Late Great Founder of the State, and also to the noble and original values that he planted and rooted, that had manifested all meanings of justice, tolerance, and goodness in its best form.

The Council expressed its full confidence that the people of the Emirates will remain as Zayed wished them to be, guardians to the Union and its great accomplishments at all levels, and prayed that God bestow His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, all care and grace, and guide him to serve the country and the people of the Emirates.

His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE President, expressed his appreciation for the precious confidence entrusted in him by his brothers, the Rulers of the Emirates. He confirmed his determination to follow on Sheikh Zayed's footsteps with regards to cooperation and solidarity with his brothers, their highnesses the members of the Supreme Council of the Union, in order to strengthen the Union's march towards prosperity and stability of the United Arab Emirates, and maintain the welfare of its people.

The upbringing of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan in AL Ain City had a special effect on him because this city, considered the second largest city in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, represents the base for many local tribes; and that granted him ample opportunities to be fully aware of the concerns of citizens and made him close to their aspirations and hopes.

This was crystal clear during the development boom period, when His Highness launched many initiatives geared towards benefiting the UAE nationals. Such initiatives received the blessing of his father, Sheikh Zayed, who delegated to him more powers, particularly on the internal level. His Highness is still following the same approach of the late Sheikh Zayed that focuses on serving his fellow citizens, embodying Sheikh Zayed's wisdom that: "money is useless if it is not dedicated for the favor of the people."

Outside and inside the Emirates alike, the white hands of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan brought goodness and generosity, bearing the name of the Emirates all over the world. The UAE had obvious and remarkable contribution to all efforts exerted to maintain the prosperity and welfare to people, all people, starting with brothers in the region, and those sharing the same faith and brotherhood of mankind.

Researchers and scholars all agree that the ideas you believe in, in addition to your daily acts, are the true reflection of your personality. These ideas can be identified by the statements made by the person on various occasions as they form a clear pattern of the philosophy and ideas that such person believes in and acts accordingly. As per this methodology, we choose to list some brief examples that reflect the ideas and philosophy of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, which he stated on different occasions during his eventful journey:

On the National Level

"Our main goal in the United Arab Emirates is to build the country and the citizen. The major part of our country's income shall be dedicated to make up for what we had missed, and to keep up with developed nations that are ahead of us, in our attempts to build our country."

"The human being is the true wealth of this country, before and after oil. And the interest of the country is the goal that we are all working to achieve day and night"

"The process of building the human being is totally different from all other building processes because the human being is the cornerstone and foundation of the comprehensive social and economic development process, and upon the human being lays the responsibility of advancing forward the journey of this nation."

"The biggest and greatest accomplishment that gives us pride is building the human beings of the Emirates, preparing and qualifying them to take their place and participate effectively in building the country."

"The most important projects that we are executing are those aiming in the first place to build the human being and to secure his future and guarantee the security of our future generations, as the human being represents the best investment in our land."

"The wealth that this generation is enjoying does not belong to it alone, we are aiming to provide the best possible prosperity conditions and stability for the future generations by diversifying the sources of national income and establishing strong economy in all sectors."

"Citizenship is not constantly the act of taking, before everything it is the act of giving, to give even to the limit of sacrificing oneself for the country because citizenship is a responsibility regardless to the position of the citizen."

"From now on, we will think about how to face the future when the oil runs out. This can be achieved by diversifying national income early so that our economy does not continue to depend on petroleum. Building the human being on this land is the true wealth because money doesn't last and knowledge is the basis of every progress."

"The United Arab Emirates is not obtaining arms to launch attacks but it does so because it believes that weakness encourages aggression and also, strength is a condition to support peace."

On the Arabian Level

"In the United Arab Emirates, the basis of how we see the Arab issues is that they are interrelated issues, and that the pain of the Arab is one, and when the Arabs suffer in the occupied Palestine or in Lebanon, this suffering touches the sons of the Emirates, and also, when we solve an Arab problem, the relief touches us all, the pan Arab security is one and none of us would feel safe while the house of his brother is crumbling and his safety and life are in danger."

"The Emirates' position regarding the rights of Arabs is specific and clear, it is not only support, but continuous consolidation, with everything we have. The Arabian cause is one after all."

"Any cooperation between Arabs even on the bilateral level is a positive thing, and there is no contradiction between the joint Arab work and the Arab regional councils. We need to achieve integration between the Arab resources."

"Building the bridges of trust between different Arab capitals facilitates the achievement of solidarity that enable us to invest all available capabilities in a way that help us face the challenges before us. We are required now, more than ever, to rise above the bilateral and side differences to the level that makes us able to meet and exchange views with ease and responsibility and agree on a specific and clear stance."

"The security of the Gulf does not necessarily mean military aspect only, it should be considered from the point of view of protecting the region from pollution for instance. In addition, the security of the Gulf shall be maintained if we establish around and inside the region the proper, protective and secured belt. The security of the Gulf shall be established if we provide the people of the region with food security that is not affected or threatened by fluctuations in other parts of the world. In addition, the security of the Gulf, after all, is an integral part of the pan Arab national security that cannot be achieved without the own power of the Arab countries and the positive cooperation with all countries surrounding the Gulf."

On the Global Level

"The United Arab Emirates shall continue its distinguished civilized approach in dealing with the outer world and its continuous call for fulfilling rights, relieving the aggrieved and building bridges of tolerance and cooperation between all people on earth, and enabling humanity, the entire humanity, to live in peace, prosperity and harmony."