February 23, 2026
Methodology About Newsletter
WE THE UAE 2031
The Vanderbilt Terminal for the UAE's National Transformation
INDEPENDENT GLOBAL INTELLIGENCE FOR THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
UAE GDP: AED 2.03T ▲ 5.7% | Non-Oil GDP Share: 84.3% ▼ -5.2pp | FDI Inflows: $45.6B ▲ 48.7% | GDP Growth: 4.0% ▲ -0.3pp vs 2023 | Inflation: 1.7% ▼ +0.0pp vs 2023 | Female Participation: 55.1% ▲ +0.6pp vs 2023 | Population: 11.0M ▲ 4.8% | Emiratisation Rate: 12.5% ▲ 2.1pp | Global Competitiveness: #7 ▲ 3 places | Clean Energy Capacity: 7.2 GW ▲ 18.4% | ADX Index: 9,842 ▲ 4.7% | DFM Index: 4,621 ▲ 6.2% | UAE GDP: AED 2.03T ▲ 5.7% | Non-Oil GDP Share: 84.3% ▼ -5.2pp | FDI Inflows: $45.6B ▲ 48.7% | GDP Growth: 4.0% ▲ -0.3pp vs 2023 | Inflation: 1.7% ▼ +0.0pp vs 2023 | Female Participation: 55.1% ▲ +0.6pp vs 2023 | Population: 11.0M ▲ 4.8% | Emiratisation Rate: 12.5% ▲ 2.1pp | Global Competitiveness: #7 ▲ 3 places | Clean Energy Capacity: 7.2 GW ▲ 18.4% | ADX Index: 9,842 ▲ 4.7% | DFM Index: 4,621 ▲ 6.2% |

Definition

Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan (1918-2004) was the founding President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Abu Dhabi. He led the negotiations that unified seven Trucial States into a single federation on 2 December 1971 and served as President until his passing on 2 November 2004. His leadership philosophy centred on using oil wealth to develop infrastructure, education, and healthcare for all citizens while preserving Emirati cultural heritage and tribal traditions.

UAE Context

Sheikh Zayed became Ruler of Abu Dhabi in 1966 and immediately redirected oil revenues toward modernisation. He championed the federation concept, personally mediating between rulers of the seven emirates to establish a unified state. His governance style combined traditional majlis-based consultation with modern institution-building. He invested heavily in education, housing, and healthcare, transforming Abu Dhabi from a modest pearling settlement into a modern capital. His environmental advocacy, particularly desert greening and wildlife conservation, earned him international recognition.

Key Data

Sheikh Zayed served as UAE President for 33 consecutive years from 1971 to 2004. He oversaw the creation of all federal institutions, the development of the nation’s oil industry infrastructure, and the establishment of diplomatic relations with countries worldwide. He received numerous international awards, including the World Wildlife Fund’s Gold Panda Award in 1997 for environmental conservation efforts.

Vision 2031 Significance

Sheikh Zayed’s founding principles — national unity, sustainable development, cultural preservation, and citizen welfare — remain the philosophical foundation of every subsequent national strategy, including Vision 2031. His legacy is institutionally embedded through the Zayed Foundation, Zayed University, and the annual commemoration of Zayed Humanitarian Work Day.

  • Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed — His son and the current UAE President who continues his governance philosophy.
  • UAE Constitution — The founding legal document Sheikh Zayed helped negotiate and establish.
  • Federal Supreme Council — The highest constitutional body Sheikh Zayed chaired as President.
  • Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque — The landmark monument built in his honour in Abu Dhabi.