His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, passed away on Friday 13 May 2022, the UAE’s Ministry of Presidential Affairs said.
“The Ministry of Presidential Affairs extends its condolences to the people of the UAE, the Arab and Islamic nation and the world on the passing of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE,” Emirates News Agency WAM said in a statement.
The ministry also announced that a forty-day state mourning has been declared in the country, during which, starting today, all flags will be at half-staff and all ministries, departments, as well as federal, local and private organizations will be suspended for three days.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan has served as President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Abu Dhabi since November 3, 2004.
Born in 1948, Sheikh Khalifa was the second President of the UAE and the 16th Ruler of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. As President of the UAE, he succeeded his father, the late H.H. Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who served as the first President of the UAE after the founding of the country in 1971 until he passed away on November 2, 2004.
Under his rule, the United Arab Emirates has witnessed an accelerated development that has provided a decent life for the people who call the UAE home.
Since his election as President, Sheikh Khalifa has launched his first strategic plan for the UAE government to achieve a balanced and sustainable development, putting the well-being of the citizens and residents of the UAE at the forefront.
His key goals as President of the UAE were to continue the path blazed by his father, Sheikh Zayed, whose legacy, he said, “will continue to be a beacon leading us into the future, into a prosperous future of security and stability.”
Sheikh Khalifa led the development of the UAE’s oil and gas sector and processing industries, which successfully contributed to the diversification of the country’s economy.
He made regular trips around the country to study the needs of the northern emirates, during which he gave instructions on the construction of a number of projects related to housing, education and social services for the population.