His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, said the country's achievements wouldn't have been possible if God hadn't set for us a tryst with history. In an address to the nation given in the Dira Al Watan (Nation Shield) magazine on the occasion of the 38th National Day of the UAE, Sheikh Mohammed said the march of glory is setting foot into the era of empowerment and is building the road into the solid future.

Following is the text of the speech:
The federation's last year recorded several shining achievements in our march of empowerment that culminated with the re-election of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan as the country's President in a reaffirmation of the confidence of the UAE Supreme Council in its Head. It was also another expression of the loyalty of the people, the honesty of their nationality and the sincerity of their love for their leader, behind whom they rally.

With this precious testimonial the march of empowerment is heading towards wider horizons relying upon the achievements accumulated over the years in all areas. Today our economy is one of the largest in the world in terms of power and stability due to its diversity, its vast potential, its reliance on strategic planning, its adoption of the language and tools of the knowledge age. These qualities gave it the ability to face positively with the ups and downs in the global economy and provided it with the efficiency for overcoming crises and for grabbing opportunities.

In spite of the weight of the consequences of the global financial crisis, the wheel of progress and achievement in our country did not stop turning. It safeguarded the power of our economy, placed it on road to recovery and boosted it by intensifying government investment in infrastructure at the national level. This is in addition to the timely completion of huge projects such as the Yas Circuit which put the UAE on the map of one of the world's most watched sports, and like the Dubai Metro, which joined prominent landmarks of civilisation in our country.

Our winning of the bid to host the headquarters of the International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena) was a remarkable success on more than one level. For the first time the headquarters of an international organization is housed outside the developed world. Moreover, this organisation is of paramount importance to the entire world as it is the umbrella of the international effort in research and technologies of renewable energy, and a platform to develop environmentally friendly energy sources for the provision of mankind's energy needs in the post-oil era.

This winning was not a stroke of luck, but well-deserved. It is the fruit of respectable status enjoyed by our country in the world, and the fruit of credibility enjoyed by our leadership, by our foreign policy and our development model as well as our economic methodology. It is also the fruit of the vision of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan to make the UAE a global hub for the export of renewable energy technologies, and let it remain a major source of energy both in the presence of oil as well as after its depletion. This win is also the fruit of hard work and the direct supervision of my brother General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, for the launch of renewable energy projects, at the helm of which is the Masdar City. It is also the fruit of the effort made by Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

We are marching in the course of empowering the nation and the citizens guided by the programme of Sheikh Khalifa for national action. We are determined to achieve the great renaissance in all areas.

The political empowerment continues with the expansion of the powers of the Federal National Council, thus strengthening its role in the national action and reasserting the Shura (consultation) approach in governance. The economic empowerment continues through the development of legislation, improvement of the business environment, enhancement of the levels of quality and competitiveness, and boosting of emphasis on productive sectors and the basic services.

The social empowerment continues through the development of our human resources through quality education and appropriate training, development programmes of nationalisation of jobs and expansion of housing programmes. It also continues through the enhancement of the role of women enabling them to take up national responsibility and building of nation. The social empowerment is also continued through the intensification of efforts to address the troubling social phenomena like excessive attention to show-off and increasing dependence on domestic workers.

On the side of the administrative empowerment, we are moving forth with strong will for enhancing integration between the federal and local frameworks, for raising the efficiency of government authorities, improvement of the structures of the ministries and institutions, initiation of procedures for the transition to e-governance and launching of programmes for young leaders and Sheikh Khalifa Award for Government Excellence.

And we move forward at fast pace in the process of cultural and knowledge empowerment, especially since the UAE has become the Arab cultural capital that is open to the cultures of the world. It has become the knowledge capital with its universities, institutes, colleges and branches of the world's most prestigious universities on its soil.

Knowledge is the visa for our safe passage to future. Culture is the vessel of our identity and values, as well as the framework of our human and psychological equilibrium. It is also an important element in the overall development and its sustainability, and an element for building the national model and achieving its goals. It has an active role in the success of the country's plans to achieve the balance in demographic structure.

We always said the national human capital is the main element which is indispensable in achieving the desired balance. So the building of this capital, its development and the expansion of its base encompassing all citizens, men and women, will not be possible without an environment that radiates with the values of a culture that develops national self, grows upholding work, sanctifies the respect for time, quality and excellence, and encourages creativity and innovation.

We will receive tomorrow a new federal year rallying around our leadership, becoming more certain of its vision and approach, more unified, integrated and dignified of our union and more proud of our country, more confident of ourselves, more experienced of our world, more capable to face challenges and overcome difficulties and more confident that there is no goal that we can't reach and sublime position that we can't conquer.

Ambitions will remain the ally of our plans, big goals will remain our objectives, nobility of our nation and welfare of the citizens will remain the compass that guides us and orientates our work. We will not rest until our people are ensured comfort and all the requirements that guarantee a dignified life.

You, dear compatriots, are the wealth and weapon of our nation, you are its pride, joy and delight. I know your motherland is the most expensive thing you have and the love for your country is deeply planted in your hearts. But the highest degree of love is self-giving. You are the people of generosity. So gather your thoughts, light up your minds, roll up your sleeves, work hard and take initiatives, always look forward, and believe God will not let good work go without reward.