Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE was crowned the Ruler of Dubai on January 4, 2006. Sheikh Mohammed became the Ruler of Dubai after the demise of his brother, Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid.
Seventeen years later, the emirate continues to thrive under his leadership, as his vision transformed the once small emirate to a global hub for tourism, finance, among many other sectors.
However, Dubai emerged as a regional commercial centre due to Sheikh Mohammed’s father Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed.
As a young boy, the now Dubai ruler often accompanied his father for notable events, for example when Sheikh Rashid secured the agreement to build the emirate’s first airfield. This was in London in 1959 and Dubai was under the British protectorate.
That airstrip is now one of the world’s busiest airport due to the high influx of international passengers.
Following Sheikh Rashid’s passing in October 1990, Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid was crowned president of the UAE, whereas Sheikh Mohammed was appointed as Crown Prince in 1995.
During his reign so far, Sheikh Mohammed oversaw the development of the Burj Al Arab, which was later opened in September 1999, increasing Dubai’s prominence on the map as it became home to an iconic landmark.
Sheikh Mohammed then went on to become the Ruler of Dubai in 2006, following the death of Sheikh Maktoum.
As ruler, Dubai transformed itself into a global city, home to some of the world’s biggest mega-projects.
The emirate’s Burj Khalifa is the world’s tallest building and was first opened in 2010. Other notable projects under Sheikh Mohammed’s vision and leadership include Dubai Marina, Dubai Metro, Dubai Mall and Mall of the Emirates and even the Palm projects.
Sheikh Mohammed also played a key role in ensuring the emirate’s recovery from Covid-19, by ensuring strict protocols and timely deliverance of the vaccines.
During the pandemic, he also ensured the successful delivery of Expo 2020 Dubai, a six-month event which saw over 24 million visits from many across the world.
Sheikh Mohammed’s vision has also enabled several expats to relocate to the emirate due to attractive visa schemes, initiatives, among others. Today, the emirate’s population totals up to 3.5 million people.
In addition to this, Sheikh Mohammed also outlined the key priorities of the UAE this year on January 2.
According to the first UAE Cabinet meeting of 2023, the UAE would focus on consolidating its national identity; championing the environment and sustainability; developing the education sector; boosting Emiratisation policies; and expanding economic partnerships across the globe.
Under his leadership, Dubai will also host COP28 in efforts to tackle global climate change, and will be held at Expo City Dubai in November.
The Dubai ruler has also outlined plans to transform the emirate under a massive 2040 urban development plan. The project is part of the so-called “Projects of the 50” initiatives announced by Sheikh Mohammed, last July.
Sheikh Mohammed’s vision has also expanded into various upcoming sectors such as space tourism and the metaverse. In 2021, he announced that the ‘Hope’ mission was successful on February 9, 2021, making it as the first Arab mission to space to arrive on Mars.
In 2021, Sheikh Mohammed, in collaboration with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, also announced the launch of the UAE Railways Programme.
The programme is the largest integrated system for transporting goods and passengers across the country, under which Etihad Rail will come into operations.
Etihad Rail will allow passengers to commute from Abu Dhabi to Dubai in 50 minutes, and from Abu Dhabi to Fujairah in 100 minutes.
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