Tuesday 30 March 2010
Ahmed bin Zayed is a loss for the Nation and Humanity
It is not only the country that sheds tears on the profound loss of a great human being, Sheikh Ahmed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the son of the nation's founding father and the brother of his virtuous successor, who died in a glider crash over a lake near Rabat City. The hearts of millions of people cry for the benevolent departed soul.
Millions of brothers and friends knew the benevolence of Sheikh Ahmed and his charitable legacy. He was a man of giving, compassion, kindness and humanitarianism. His tragic demise is a loss for both the nation and humanity.
The death of Sheikh Ahmed is a real shock to the humanitarian strong current that characterizes most of the UAE community members and their culture rooted in compassion and sympathy for others, regardless of race, color or religion. It was on these true Arab values which were strengthened since the foundation of the Emirates Union at the hands of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. It was on these values the approach continued by HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the UAE, Their Highnesses the Members of the Supreme Council and Rulers of the Emirates. HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Zayed Al Nahyan was born in 1969 in Al Ain City. He graduated from the United Arab Emirates University. He joined Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) in 1994. Since his appointment he worked in different departments of ADIA where he gained vast knowledge and experience in investment areas.
He was appointed in 1997 as a Member of ADIA Board of Directors by an Emiri Decree issued by the Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi Emirate. He was appointed a Member of the Supreme Petroleum Council on 19 April 2005, by an Emiri Decree issued by the Ruler of Abu Dhabi Emirate.
HH Sheikh Ahmed was ranked 27th on the Forbes List of the world most influential personalities in 2009, who would have an effective role in the Middle East economy. In an interview published in the German Daily Newspaper "Handlesbat", he said "I prefer to see ADIA a globally diversified investment institution, taking into consideration that it is owned by Abu Dhabi Government". "The only message of ADIA, the key investment arm of Abu Dhabi Emirate, which has not changed for 30 days, is to ensure the present prosperity of Abu Dhabi and its continuation", he added.
Sheikh was known for avoiding limelight and very rarely made statements to the media, for the institution he ran required a personality who had to be careful when making statements which could have sensitive impacts on major financial agencies.
Among the first decisions he took as a Managing Director was to have the budget increased to cater for training and cooperation with internationally renowned academic institutions such as Harvard University and others, focusing on recruitment of persons of high caliber and maintaining them through a competitive organizational structure.
A number of those who worked close to the deceased (May his soul rest in peace) at ADIA said "HH was very humble, disciplined and his plans were characterized by accuracy and realism". WE learned from him that order was above all personal con