Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid to mark 20 years as Ruler of Dubai

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid will on Sunday mark 20 years as Ruler of Dubai, having served as the architect of the emirate's remarkable rise on the global stage.

Sheikh Mohammed, who is also Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, took up the task of leading Dubai on January 4, 2006, following the death of his brother, Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid.

Under Sheikh Mohammed's leadership, the city has been transformed into a thriving urban metropolis that has cemented its status as an international hub for tourism, finance and emerging technology.

He has built on the firm foundations laid down by his father, Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed, who first turned what was a small fishing town into a regional commercial centre.

Sheikh Mohammed had a front-row seat to his father's achievements and often accompanied him on key trips, such as to London in 1959 when Sheikh Rashid secured an agreement to build Dubai's first airfield. At the time, Dubai was still a British protectorate and Sheikh Mohammed only a boy.

Landmark successes

Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance underlined the crucial role Sheikh Mohammed has played in writing Dubai's success story in a message honouring his father's 76th birthday in July.

“To the one who turned dreams into reality and reality into a legend told for generations,” he wrote on X.

During his 20 years as Dubai Ruler, Sheikh Mohammed has been pivotal to a number of towering achievements such as the opening of Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building, in 2010.

Other major projects such as Dubai Marina, Dubai Metro and shopping centres such as Dubai Mall and Mall of the Emirates elevated Dubai even more.

His guiding hand was crucial to Dubai's ability to stage a swift recovery from the Covid-19, with the successful staging of Expo 2020 Dubai - delayed by a year due to the pandemic - symbolising efforts to lead the world back to normality.

Dubai's global standing was further demonstrated by its hosting of the Cop28 climate conference in 2023, when important progress was made in efforts to safeguard the planet.

Philanthropic mission

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, with winners of the Arab Reading Challenge, at Dubai Opera. From left, Mohammed Ahmed Hassan from Egypt, Kadi bint Musaffar from Saudi Arabia, Hatem Al Tarkawi from Syria and Salsabil Sawalha from Palestine. All photos: Victor Besa / The National

Salsabil, 17, from Hebron, in the occupied West Bank, dedicated her win to 'the children of Gaza'

Rabbie Ahmed receives an award from Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Saif bin Zayed

Tunisian singer Latifa performs at the Arab Reading Challenge winners' ceremony

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, presents Mohammed Ahmed Hassan from Egypt with the award for Reading Champion in the People of Determination

A young participant recites a verse from the holy Quran at the Arab Reading Challenge ceremony

Young competitor Abdulla