The efforts of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al Nahyan were not limited to the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Since he assumed power in Abu Dhabi, he aimed to unite all the Emirates. Less than two years after he became the Ruler of Abu Dhabi he initiated a call to unite the Emirates saying, "Unity is the way to strength, honor and power. Division only leads to weakness. There is no place in today's world for weak entities. These are the lessons of history throughout ages".

This wise and honest call was favorably received, and there was a meeting between the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Ruler of Abu Dhabi and Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai in the area of Al Samha on 18 February 1968. This meeting followed the declaration made by the British Government in the same year that it would evacuate its troops from the Conciliated Emirates in the Gulf before 1971.

The meeting focused on establishing a union between the two emirates to supervise foreign affairs, defense, internal security, health, and educational services. They agreed to invite the rulers of the other emirates to a meeting in Dubai to discuss the establishment of a an united group of emirates: which would be a union between nine emirates  including Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ras al Khaimah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Fujairah, as well as Bahrain and Qatar.

The result of the meeting was that the call for Union was launched. It was supported by Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid, and the rulers of the other Emirates responded favorably to this honest call and held another meeting from the 25^th to 27^th of February, 1968, in Dubai. It resulted in the establishment of the United Arab Emirates.

Continuous and conclusive meetings, gatherings and consultations between the Rulers were held from 11^th to 15^th October 1969 in which it was agreed to execute the Dubai Agreement, and formally declare the establishment of the United Arab Emirates. The late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan was elected as President of the UAE and Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum was elected as Vice President of UAE.

On 18 July 1971, the Rulers' Council of the Union held an important meeting in Dubai where they formally approved the federal stateof the United Arab Emirates, in response to the wish of people in the region.

On 2 December 1971, history witnessed the birth of a modern state. The new-born country joined the Arab League on December 6^th, 1971, becoming its eighteenth state. On the 9^th of December 1972, only a week after its establishment, the UAE became the 132^nd member of the United Nations. The Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah joined the union on 10 February 1972. Immediately upon the declaration of the union, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al Nahyan offered to dedicate all the Government of Abu Dhabi's material sources and administrative and technical expertise to serve the federal state. He said: "The union is my wish and it is the ultimate goal I seek for the benefit of the UAE's people."  

The late Sheikh Zayed said that the goal of the Union was to bring happiness to the UAE's citizens and to build a modern state. "From the beginning we realized that the union is the right means to our strength and progress. It is the way to make our people happy, and provide a decent life for them and for future generations, with Allah's will. We also realized that we cannot achieve this goal except under a well rooted federal state that realizes the lessons of our history, lives the present, and moves towards a future, taking Islam as the framework that guides its internal and external policy.

From the moment the federal state was established, the wheels of development began turning. Since the first day he assumed power, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan dedicated the wealth of the country to improve people's standards of living and create a more progressive and prosperous country. He said: "We have dedicated everything we own in terms of wealth and petroleum to improving the living standards of every person in the United Arab Emirates, driven by our belief that these people are the rightful owner of this wealth, and that they should make up what he missed in order to catch up with the march of civilization and progress."

The late Sheikh Zayed added, "If Allah the Almighty had bestowed us with wealth, our first commitment is to seek Allah's satisfaction and in order to express our gratitude to Him we need to utilize this wealth by making this country better and by bringing goodness to its people."

A few years after its establishment, the UAE became a modern and prosperous country where its citizens enjoy luxury and prosperity, as confirmed by the statement of His Highness that the hopes of the people "came true thanks to the establishment of the United Arab Emirates. Progress and prosperity have become a reality of our lives."

He added, "We could not have dreamt of achieving this level of development. It was truly beyond our imagination. The speed of our growth is exceptional."

The way Sheikh Zayed guided the formation of the union has had a lasting effect on the UAE, and his memory will forever be rooted in the consciousness of the nation as a result.

On several occasions, His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan expressed his satisfaction with the achievements of the union saying: "We, thanks to Allah, feel relieved and happy as the union continues its march on the right path. The way the United Arab Emirates is moving steadfastly from one phase to another has become a source of pride for all of us."

"Everything that I and my brothers the rulers of the Emirates spent long nights caring about and being patient with, was achieved. With Allah's help and grace, we have reached a stage where the majority of our goals for the good of the UAE people have been fulfilled: goals that seemed once far and distant, and beyond our reach," His Highness said.

Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan believed that holding counsel (Shura) should be a core component of governance. He said, "Ruling with counsel is a command from Allah and he who does not abide by Allah's commands shall be the loser."

His approach comes from his belief in, and reliance on Allah, the Almighty in every step. His highness said, "My philosophy in life is that I believe that all things are in the hands of Allah the Almighty and that man should act as if inspired by his belief in Allah, with dedication and diligence. If I succeed in my quest, I thank Allah for his grace and if I was mistaken in my diligence, I return to the right path. Everything runs according to the will of Allah the Almighty; He runs and manages our lives. The worshiper should seek the approval of Allah, to act and rely on Allah. Allah guides individuals to success only when their belief in God is strong. Allah grants them peace of mind, and that is the ultimate happiness."

The counsel approach that Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan adopted was reflected in his strong desire to hold open and direct meetings with citizens at their workplaces, and in their places of residence, whether these were located in the cities or in the deserts. While traveling throughout the country, he facilitated a deep and honest closeness between the leadership and the people. His highness used to emphasize the importance of this approach, which is based on an open door policy between the ruler and his people, by saying: "Our door is open and shall always be like that."

"The ruler should meet the members of his people continuously and there should be no barriers between him and them under any circumstances." His Highness said.

Sheikh Zayed continued: "The ruler, any ruler, is only there to serve his people and secure for them prosperity and progress. To achieve this, he should live among his people to feel their wishes and know their problems and this cannot be achieved if he isolates himself from them."

Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al Nahyan was keen to offer his people a wide range of opportunities to participate in public life. He said, "When the ruler is self-assured and confident, he offers opportunities to his people. He appoints qualified and well-experienced officials to assist him in realizing what is best for the country."

"Our goal in life is to uphold the value of justice, be morally right, and support the weak against the dominant. We are not cautious about ordinary people's participation in the responsibility of ruling as long as these are our goals. We think that our duty is to share responsibilities with the citizens, and we did this just as Islam calls for true democracy and justice," he added.

Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan led by example. He traveled throughout the country to follow up on the progress of work and to engage with his people's wishes and concerns, away from government offices and departments and official reports. He said, "I want officials to see me with their eyes at work, at any time, without preparation, so that every official shall follow this path and deliver on our mission".

The keenness of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan to empower his people and build their capacities represented one of the most important achievements of the United Arab Emirates. It was based on his conviction that the development of the human being is at the center of any real progress. "We realized from the beginning that the human being is the basis of every civilized process and he is at the center of every true progress," Sheikh Zayed confirmed.

The UAE worked on building state-of-the-art infrastructure projects that included hospitals, schools, higher education institutions, cultural and vocational training centers, and military, academic, and technical establishments necessary for achieving this noble goal. He paved the way to create the appropriate conditions that would enable UAE citizens to bear their national responsibilities efficiently. Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan said, "Wealth is not money. Wealth lies in men. This is where true power lies: the power we value. This is what has convinced us to direct all our resources to building the individual, and to using the wealth which God has provided us in the service of the nation."

He believed that the human being is the basis of any civilization and the core of any real progress saying, "No matter how many buildings, foundations, schools and hospitals we build, or how many bridges we raise, all these are material entities. The real spirit behind the progress is the human spirit and the able man with his intellect and capabilities."

Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan expressed his satisfaction with the successful and continuous efforts made in building people's capacities in the UAE. He said, "We have harvested a lot and harvested what the citizen, the friend, or the brother did not imagine. And the best thing that we harvested in this country is building the human being whom should be given priority, attention, and care".

According to Sheikh Zayed's perspective, citizens are the means and the ultimate end at the same time. To establish this principle, all the agencies and bodies in the UAE joined forces to contribute to building Emirati people, and empowering them to overcome any obstacle.

Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan said on the 13^th of February, 1972, that the UAE Constitution enshrines the principles of equality and social justice, and the need for the provision of security. It ensures equal opportunities for all citizens, as well as solidarity and compassion, and considers the family as the basis of society. The UAE Constitution also encourages morality and love for the country.  It values childhood and motherhood, protects minors and disabled persons, promises to provide jobs for citizens and to qualify them for such jobs. It also protects private and public properties, encourages cooperation and saving, and considers the wealth and natural resources in every Emirate as public property for that Emirate.

Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan gave considerable attention to taking care of the youth. He was always keen to encourage them to equip themselves with knowledge so that they could contribute to serving the country. Sheikh Zayed also urged them to know the past well, and the difficult conditions and hardships that faced their fathers and grandfathers, so that they could protect and maintain the gains that had been achieved. He called on youth to work hard, reminding them that work is an honor and a duty at the same time. He said, "Work is important and valuable as long as it contributes to developing people. The progress of nations is only achieved at the hands of its youth."

On many occasions he said, "The vast wealth that had been achieved will not last without more effort and sacrifice. We should work hard in order to protect our national gains and enhance the forward momentum of our union. We should work hard to multiply our strength and prosperity. This is not possible without constructive and active participation in the society."

Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan stressed the importance of the participation of youth in the country's comprehensive development. He said, "We continue working with all our might and ability at all official and non-official levels in order to maintain our gains and achieve more accomplishments for the good of our people and country. However, we look forward to real participation from all sons and daughters of the UAE, an active participation in the comprehensive development process with its political, economic, social, and cultural aspects. The future is in your hands, Emirati youth, you will determine the way it will be. Try your best to benefit from opportunities available now, use them wisely in a way that is not only rewards you, but also brings goodness to your families and country as well."

Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan emphasized that the Government could not solely lead youth empowerment, and that is would require a multitude of partners. He said, "We call upon all government, private and national organizations to join forces and partner in launching various and advanced programs that aim to empower youth, and equip them with the right skills, thus qualifying them for the future."

Although we have come a long way in terms of training and qualifying our male and female youth, there is still a real need to continue and even intensify our work. We think that ensuring that all our male and female youth are employed is a goal that we should dedicate all our abilities and efforts to achieve.

This requires us to continue the reformation and modernization of educational curricula and to maintain abreast of the latest developments in sciences and technology.

Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan placed special attention on the empowerment of women in the country. "Women are half of society. She is the housekeeper and partner in preparing the future generations. No country in the midst of building itself can leave women in the darkness of ignorance or the captivity of oppression chains," he said.

With this progressive vision, women started taking full responsibility side by side with men in various fields of work. They actively contributed toward the economic, social, and cultural development of the country. They enjoyed equal rights and duties in line with the teachings of Islam, gracious Sharia, and the customs and traditions of the UAE.

Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan said, "We have the right to speak proudly about the great accomplishments that women have achieved in our country. We continue to be very keen to provide all assistance and support to women in everything that may enhance their role in the society and increase the scope of their participation in the comprehensive development process.

We are pleased to note that women in the United Arab Emirates have shown a unique determination in this regard. We see her embracing all kinds of scientific fields with remarkable enthusiasm that is an example to be followed. We also see her working efficiently and actively in both public and private sectors, while continuing to play the main role in maintaining the family. Family represents the nucleus of the society and deserves our care and attention. Women are committed to raising their children based on our religious and cultural values."

He confirmed that, "Women have access to all fields of work in the United Arab Emirates just like men." He pointed out that women had made giant steps forward on the path of participation in building a sustainable future of the country. The General Women's Union led by Her Highness Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak "Mother of the Nation" endeavors to support women's role in society, increase their participation in development, and their representation at Arab and International forums."

Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan supported the idea that women should hold the highest positions at work: in decision-making positions and in politics. He said, "I am advocating for women. I always say this to confirm her right to work, and to fully participate in building her country".

Known for his love of nature and a keenness to preserve the environment, Sheikh Zayed, in his first actions as ruler of Abu Dhabi, focused on the promotion of agriculture and the expansion of greenery to curb desertification. "On land and in the sea, our fore-fathers lived and survived in this environment. They were able to do so because they recognized the need to conserve it, to take from it only what they needed to live, and to preserve it for successive generations."

In his role as President of the UAE, he made his concern for environmental conservation a national priority and created the political infrastructure for environmental research, protection, and development. Not only did Sheikh Zayed support the growing of crops, but he also ordered the plantation of more than 140 million trees throughout the UAE. Furthermore, he founded a programme to protect local animals, such as the Dorcas Gazelle and the Arabian Oryx. In acknowledgement of his strong support of environmental protection, Sheikh Zayed was the first head of state to be honoured, in 1995, with the Golden Panda award by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). In 2005, one year after he had passed away, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) honored Sheikh Zayed posthumously as an outstanding and innovative leader with the 'Champion of the Earth' award.

Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan had a very progressive vision for agriculture and forestation. He allocated vast areas of lands, in which he established ambitious projects that would promote agriculture, help spread vegetation, protect wildlife, and curb desertification in the country. This policy has contributed towards raising people's awareness of the importance of agriculture, and the strengthening of their connection to their land.

"They used to say that agriculture has no future [in the UAE], but with God's blessing and our determination, we have succeeded in transforming this desert into a green land," he said. He expressed his pride in the achievements made by the UAE in terms of agriculture and forestation. "What makes us proud is that the UAE was able to achieve amazing successes in turning desert areas into green landscapes." The UAE's success was not limited to planting such vast areas of the desert, but also strengthened its people's connection with their land. This was achieved through extensive awareness campaigns, guidance and training programs, and continuous and limitless support.

On June 2, 2001, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization awarded Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan the "Medal of International Day of Food" in recognition of his efforts and great contributions in serving humanity.

Several international bodies commended the achievements of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan in combating desertification and protecting rare species of animals and plants.

Known for his keenness to preserve heritage and folklore, the late Sheikh Zayed established an award bearing His Highness's name for the best global moral and human culture.

International bodies commended Sheikh Zayed's initiative to award a USD 150,000 prize every two years to encourage human creativity in all fields, and to protect and encourage the preservation, protection, and promotion of cultural spaces, or forms of folklore or traditional cultural expression. Since his early childhood, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan was connected to the desert life, its environment and culture. He said, "Our ancestors left us a great legacy of folklore that we should be very proud of. We need to maintain and preserve it, make it an asset for this country and the future generations."

In his gatherings with youth and citizens, Sheikh Zayed used to emphasize the need to be familiar with one's cultural heritage, and to keep it alive in other people's memories. He said, "Youth should think and ask about history, and about how past generations lived. I believe that those who don't know their history certainly don't know their present, but if a person knows his past then he should be prepared well for the future." He added, "Any nation without a cultural heritage does not have a future."

Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and his brothers Their Highnesses the Members of the Supreme Council of the Union, the Rulers of the Emirates, all offered support to folk sports such as Arab camel races, folk marine races, horsemanship, and falconry.

Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan placed great importance on maintaining the sport of falconry because it is the sport with the richest cultural heritage: one that has been inherited from fathers and grandfathers in the Gulf region and Arabian Peninsula. Over years, Emirati people have developed an excellent knowledge of the different kinds of falcons, the best ways to breed them, train them, and look after them, as well as mastering the ways to tame this bird: symbolizing power and pride.

The late Sheikh Zayed spoke about the fact that Arab people were pioneers in this field before the knowledge of this sport spread to other nations. Falconry is an important sport and a means to learn patience and endurance. It is useful both psychologically and physically. In addition, this sport has its own set of knowledge that should be retained: the speed of falcons and their ability to fly, maneuver, and hunt for food."

In September 2001, the "Emirates Falconers Club" was established. It was chaired by H.H Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minster, who confirmed that falconry is one of the most important Arab sports, one that has been practiced by the region's ancestors for thousands of years. The Club aims at raising awareness of this sport, improving the falconry sport in the United Arab Emirates and the Arab Gulf region, and promoting it as part of this region's heritage.

For over three decades, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan devoted all his efforts towards achieving agreement between Arab leaders by promoting values of understanding and tolerance. His Highness Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan had always emphasized the dangers of continuous division, and stressed that it would be a constant concern for him, knowing the full extent of the havoc that such differences could cause.

In order to counter those negative effects, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan made extensive efforts to bring Arab people together, urging them to overcome their differences, in order to improve the international position of the Arab and Islamic nations, and enhance the lives of their people.

He confirmed, "Praise be to Allah that the Arab nation is huge in terms of size, wealth, and goodness. We should commit ourselves to bear the responsibility and move away from the path of loss and weakness that we are now following. We should endeavor, with every possible effort and without delay, to recoup the losses we've suffered as a people, and instead follow the right path."

Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan confirmed that the United Arab Emirates supports everything that may enhance the Arab position. He said that this would happen with hard work, with honest brotherly spirit, and a sense of tolerance and forgiving.His decisions and stances consistently reflected his wisdom, frankness, and courage.

Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan passed away on 2 November 2004, leaving behind a great legacy as the Father of the nation. By his death the world lost one of the most prominent and visionary leaders in the twentieth century: a wise man who led by example, and devoted his entire life to creating a better and more prosperous life for his people and for the world as a whole.

Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan was succeeded as the UAE's President and as Ruler of Abu Dhabi by his eldest son, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan in 2004.

The principles and philosophy that he brought to government, however, remain at the core of the state and its policies today.