There are no small or big countries in the world as they are all equal in the eyes of international law. However, countries can be regarded as great on the basis of their achievements in the socio economic spheres and the weight and voice a country carries in international arena. The legend of the UAE, is greater than its size. Its strategic importance, accompanied by its growing economic might far surpasses its size of population and territory. This is the outcome of a perfect combination of the land, the people and the "leader".

The development of human resources has always been given priority since the establishment of the federation. There is no value of wealth if it is not used for the welfare of the people. The UAE has become one of the most developed economic centres in the world that has managed to secure a decent life, which has been confirmed and acclaimed by the UN. Human Development Index (HDI) drawn up by the UN agency has ranked the UAE as third on the basis of the quality of life in 162 countries and 45th at the global level for advancement of education. The report ranks countries and territories studied under the norms of real income, life expectancy and educational standards. Education in the UAE has been given the great emphasis over the past three decades with the budget reaching Dh. 5.26 billion ($1.45 billion). The UAE has prepared a draft policy document up to the year 2020, wherein the level of education standards in the UAE would be brought in line with any leading international standards, especially with the ambitious government programme to make computers available to all students at all scholastic levels. Also by the year 2020, the emiratisation of the teaching staff is scheduled to reach 90 per cent.

Founded just 3 years ago, the Zayed University already occupies a unique niche in higher education in the UAE. Courses and curriculum designed in the University ensures that students live up to the challenges of rapidly changing, information and technology driven world relevant to the 21st century demands. The country's Higher Colleges of Technology are now contributing to supplying the labour market with skilled manpower. Our universities have witnessed remarkable progress and are working to catch up with the latest developments in the fields of technology and education based on Arab and Islamic norms.

Zayed Housing Programme

The UAE, under the leadership of President  Sheikh Zayed has always attached greater importance to society. A number of ambitious programmes have been implemented effectively. Sheikh Zayed Housing project is one of them which earmarked Dh. 640 million annually. The government has so far invested a total amount of Dh. 1.888 billion in the housing project and 3,111 families have benefited from this programme since 1999. Besides 1.113 million was given to the UAE nationals in a form of housing loan grants to 2320 UAE nationals refundable in 25 years. A Marriage Fund has also been created and more than 17,000 youths have benefited form the fund. The fund managers worked on ensuring the modern housing for every new family everywhere in the country.

Zayed International Prize for Environment: The prestigious prize was founded to recognise global figures for outstanding achievements and their contribution to  international environment policies. The UAE and Sheikh Zayed have been acclaimed worldwide for the love of nature and for spearheading the efforts towards environment protection and conservation over the past three decades. The evidence for the progress in various avenues of environment development can be seen everywhere in Abu Dhabi from the impressive Wildlife breeding and conservation and public projects, green belts and prevention of sound pollution etc. Sheikh Zayed continued with his unwavering commitment to the environmental cause which helped turn the Arabian desert - green. Former US President Jimmy Carter was selected this year for the First Zayed International Prize for Environment. The UAE's support to Carter Centre in Atlanta, Georgia with $5.77 million to eradicate a deadly disease in children, especially in Africa has been valued as a great humanitarian gesture. Sheikh Zayed's personal interest in this regard has had a great impact on the lives of children of Ghana, Nigeria and Uganda. It was with the help of the UAE that incidence of Guinea Worm disease was reduced by 97 per cent globally from 13.2 million cases to just over 78,000. Other diseases like River Blindness and Trachoma are also part of the Carter Centre's global programme in  which he sees Sheikh Zayed as a partner in addressing these human concerns. Zayed Centre for Cooperation and Followup: It is yet another milestone in this 30th year of the UAE's life. It published a book titled Zayed: Pioneer of Prosperity which covers the period between 1996-2000, chronicles of day to day activities, benevolent deeds of President Zayed on various issues around the world. Introducing the book UN Secretary General Kofi Annan heaped praise on the UAE. He described Sheikh Zayed as the person who achieved great progress of his country and for international cooperation. The UAE's Armed Forces showed high competence and professionalism in their humanitarian mission in Kosovo in the Kofor establishment. It was a great task accomplished outside the UAE borders and outside its region.Annan felt that such works had been the confines of industrialised world before the UAE and Sheikh Zayed stepped in with his deep feelings for human sufferings, and sent the UAE forces to the rescue of Kosovo people. Other world leaders including Dr. Esmat Abdel Meguid, the Arab League Secretary General, and Dr. Ezzeddin Elerakai of OIC also paid glowing tributes to Sheikh Zayed and the UAE in the preface of the book.

Emirates Specification & Standardisation Authority:  This is another landmark achievement of the UAE in the year 2001. The Authority is an important step in safeguarding consumers' right in the country; a concept unknown in many third world countries. The UAE is the first in the region having moved in this direction in the wake of globalisation. With the establishment of the body, the UAE will step into an era where specifications and standardisation will play a major role. Now onwards, the products' imports would be allowed into the country only if they complied with its specifications. The emphasis on "quality" becomes a necessity before production and marketing of goods in the UAE.

EDAAD: This is a system introduced by the UAE for developing the human resources. It would identify the students and youth in advance who have greater potential for success in leadership roles in government or commerce. In this way, by tests, interviews only the best available will be included in the scheme to be sent abroad for further training and higher education in reputed and the best institutions of the world where-ever the talents of the selected nationals can further be groomed and sharpened to take the higher responsibilities.
This most progressive system has been adopted by the UAE to ensure a sustained growth and dynamism in the country's human resources and development of its infrastructure in the future also. World Record In Education: According to the officials from the UAE University, the Higher Technology Institution and Zayed University it is a world record this year when 95 per cent female and over 80 per cent males have opted for higher education. Minister of Higher Education His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, drew a comparison with western countries where the rate so far has been much lower than in the UAE. The figure is between 35 per cent and 45 per cent in Europe and between 50 per cent and 60 per cent in the United States.

1. Water and Electricity: Abu Dhabi's utilities sector looks set to power growth within the construction industry as the emirate presses ahead with four independent power projects, IWPPs, while its latest offering is for the expansion and privatisation of its power station at Umm Al Nar. The four IWPP projects' expected to yield about 1750 MW and 150 million gallons of water per day.

• Umm Al Nar project will be implemented along lines with Taweelah A1 and A2. It has been operated by the ADWEA.

• The green field Shuweihat project expected to cost Dhs.6 billion will comprise a natural gas-fired power generation and desalination facility producing 1500 Megawatts and some 100 million gallons per day of desalinated capacity.

2. Airports: It is a $600 million expansion programme under way, the centre piece of which is futuristic new satellite terminal, which will have 4000 sq metre duty free retail space. The terminal will be made of titanium to ensure its light weight, making The First of Its Kind in the World.

The airport will also feature what is expected to be Middle East's first rapid transit shuttle system linking the existing terminal to the new building.

In addition the work to accommodate 18 new aircraft stands, new passenger lounges, keeping in view to serve more than 35 airlines and handling 35000 passengers by 2010.

• Al Ain airport also is being renovated and expansion is underway to make it an international airport at a cost of Dhs. 70 million.

3. Grand Mosque: It is an Italian joint venture worth $398 million to build Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Mosque between the Musaffa and airport roads. The mosque covering an area of 50,000 sq. metres, designed to have four minarets, each 115 metre high and a prayer hall to accommodate 7000 worshippers. The decoration is to be with white marbles adorned with series of mosaics.

4. Tallest Tower: Tallest tower races past half way mark. A Pencil-slim skyscraper, designed through international competition, to be the flagship headquarters' for National Bank of Abu Dhabi is set to become the tallest in the emirate of Abu Dhabi (175 metres). It will be a solid granite faced pyramid at roof level. Special aspect of $53 million project is an inverted prism extending from the ground to the 5th flour.

5. Oil and Gas: Meanwhile Abu Dhabi's major petrochemical complex, which was a source of considerable sustenance for the construction sector is in the final stages of completion.

• Abu Dhabi Polymers Co (Borogue) expects to start up its new ethylene and polythelene plants at Al Ruwais shortly.

• Abu Dhabi Oil Refining Co (Takreer) is building a 300,000 tons per year Lub-oil refinery in Ruwais.

• In addition $3.5 billion Dolphin project promoted by the UAE offsets group will bring 2 billion cu ft per day of Qatari natural gas to the UAE via a 350 km subsea pipeline starting from the year 2005 which will be consumed by Al Taweelah power project.

6. Other Projects: New high rise headquarters of Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce, a 45 storey building has been cleared by Abu Dhabi Executive Council and the site has been selected.

• The $42.9 million new American embassy building is under construction to be readied by 2003.

• Work is also going on the Dhs.52 million Zayed Cricket Stadium which will be ready next year.

Other Emirates: Dubai Diverse and dynamic Dubai, is growing at a phenomenal rate of 5 per cent per annum through its cutting edge technology and progress oriented policies.

Palm Island: The world's largest man made island is set to rise out of the sea off the coast of Dubai namely, Palm Island. The project is unique in the world and along with the great wall of China it will be visible from the outer space.

            Sharjah: The emirate is emerging as one of regions most viable business and tourist destinations. New reforms and policies are radiclaly altering the way it is percieved by the outside world and the changes are expected to usher in a new era of economic growth for the emirates. It will soon be turned into an Industrial Heartland.Sharjah has also assumed the role of a "Seat of Learning" as many foreign affiliated colleges and educational institutes are housed in the emirate. The ruler of Sharjah has a special passion for developing and preserving the Arab cultural heritage. Its skyline poses the look of Arab architecture prominently.

            Ras Al Khaimah: Manufacturing activity has started at Ras Al Khaimah free trade zone. The emirate planned to invest $140 million over the next five years.Its agriculturaL sector has been strengthened and can be reckoned as the "grainry of the UAE".The Gulf Pharmaceutical Company (Julphar) in RAK recently opened its fifth plant to boost production for exports to USA, Europe and Latin America.

            Fujairah: The emirate of Fujairah is also spreading its wings as an industrial base and tourist resort. It has developed its airport to meet the international standards and expansion work of the seaport with a free zone area is nearing completion.Fujairah came fifth on the national level with an investment volume of Dhs.665 million and sixth in terms of the number of workers with 25,556.

            Umm Al Quwain: Umm Al Quwain was 6th placed in the UAE with 36 factories, 7th in terms of workers and 7th again in terms of investment having spent Dhs.312 millions.

            Ajman: The opening of the Arab Heavy Industries, drydock is the most important event in Ajman during the year under review. It is a 30,000 dwt drydock built with an investment of Dhs.72 million. The Al Zora drydocks would facilitate to accommodate the new generation of double hulled tankers, offshore structures, larger offshore supply vessels, anchor handlers, container feeders and cargo ships.Besides, medium and small sized industries, Ajman has prestigious Medical College and several international educational institutions.Far sighted and futuristic outlook of the UAE President and his Brothers - Supreme Council Members' spirit of cooperation and their interaction with the people is responsible in no small measures for UAE's enviable standing internationally.