UNdemocracy - General Assembly Session 59 meeting 49

Date	4 November 2004
Started	09:30
Ended	12:00

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A-59-PV.49 2004-11-04 09:30 4 November 2004 [[4 November]] [[2004]] /

The President: Mr. Ping (Gabon)

The meeting was called to order at 9.40 a.m.

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Tribute to the memory of His Excellency Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al-Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates

The President

Before beginning the discussion of the agenda item before us, it our sad duty to pay tribute to the memory of the late President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al-Nahyan, who passed away Tuesday, 2 November 2004.

On behalf of the General Assembly, I request the representative of the United Arab Emirates to convey our condolences to the Government and the people of the United Arab Emirates and to the bereaved family of His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al-Nahyan. I invite representatives to stand and observe a minute of silence in tribute to the memory of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al-Nahyan.

The members of the General Assembly observed a minute of silent prayer and meditation.

Mr. Grey-Johnson (Gambia)

I am speaking on behalf of the Group of African States. It is with a deep sense of sorrow and loss that we have learned of the passing away of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al-Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, at the age of 86 years.

Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al-Nahyan goes down in history as the man who, in a short period of less than 40 years, transformed an underdeveloped group of small islands in the Persian Gulf into a highly developed modern nation. When he became the head of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi in 1966, the State of the United Arab Emirates was nothing but a collection of seven sheikhdoms. Very quickly, he crafted them all into a strong federation and forged a unified nation, which he then led and served with dedication, steadfastness and vision. He used his country's oil wealth to enrich his people, to educate and enlighten the populace and to transform the United Arab Emirates into a leading international financial and business centre. His statesmanship also made it possible, even unavoidable, for the United Arab Emirates to assume prominent leadership positions, not only in the Arab and Islamic worlds, but also internationally and within the United Nations. He opened up his country to all peace-loving individuals regardless of nationality, as long as they had a contribution to make to the development of his people. He is known for his modesty and simplicity and the ease with which he mixed freely with his subjects.

Perhaps the international system can take a leaf from this great leader's life of service to his people and to humanity at large when we consider issues of governance, international cooperation, human security and development and the empowerment of the poor and the dispossessed. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the Government and the people of the United Arab Emirates, and may his soul rest in peace.

Mr. Jenie (Indonesia)

I stand here in deep humility today as the chairman of the Group of Asian States for the month of November to pay tribute to the memory of His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al-Nahyan, the President of the United Arab Emirates, who departed this world two days ago.

Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al-Nahyan was nearly 90 years old when he passed on, and he had dutifully presided over his nation for over 30 years. Despite his age, he remained an energetic man, tirelessly pursuing the causes of Arab unity, tolerance and reconciliation. For that, he was a respected figure in the international community, particularly among Arab leaders.

Regarding his governing methods in his country, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al-Nahyan once expressed the following great insight:

"I am not imposing unity on anyone. That is tyranny. All of us have our opinions, and these opinions can change. Sometimes we put all opinions together and then extract from them a single point of view. This is our democracy."

It is this kind of wisdom that made him a remarkable leader and for which he will never be forgotten. It is also this kind of wisdom that guided him in office. Through his wise and judicious use of the nation's generous oil resources, he transformed the United Arab Emirates into the beautiful and flourishing desert country that it is today and enhanced the welfare of his people. It is through this achievement that Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al-Nahyan won the eternal love and admiration of his people for over three decades, and for which he will always be remembered. On behalf of the group of Asian States, I pay tribute to this great and unforgettable Arab son and express condolences to his family and to the Government and people of the United Arab Emirates. May the soul of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al-Nahyan rest in peace.

Mr. Dapkiunas (Belarus)

It is with deep sadness that the Member State of the Eastern European Group of States learned about the passing of His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi.

We all pay tribute to His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan's tireless and wise leadership of the United Arab Emirates since its formation in 1971. His wisdom and energy lead the people of the United Arab Emirates to prosperity and well-being. Having dedicated his life to the unification and strengthening of his country, His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan has made it one of the wealthiest and the most prosperous States in the region. Today, the United Arab Emirates is a leading member of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and a regional centre for banking and finance.

His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan's contribution to peace and security in the region and the entire world cannot be overestimated. His attitude toward his country's neighbours, based on trust and respect, has been a crucial factor in bringing the countries of the region closer to each other. Today, the League of Arab States is an influential international organization that plays an important role in strengthening international security and stability. Its friendly and fruitful relations with the United Nations must, to a large extent, be attributed to the efforts of His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

As a distinguished statesman, talented politician and diplomat, loving father, and a man of vision who looked far into the future, His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan rightfully enjoyed the profound respect of the people of his country and the whole world.

The member countries of the Group of Eastern European States convey their deep condolences to the family of the late President and to the Government and people of the United Arab Emirates.

Mr. Sevilla Somoza (Nicaragua)

I am honoured to take the floor on behalf of the Group of Latin American and Caribbean States to convey our most heartfelt condolences to the people and Government of the United Arab Emirates upon the much lamented death of their President, His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, ruler of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi for 25 years and President of the United Arab Emirates for 33 years.

Sheikh Zayed transformed his country, guided by his great faith and a philosophy that stated that it was the duty of every person to seek to improve the lives of his people. His life's work remains as a living tribute to his devotion and unswerving conviction. The United Arab Emirates have lost a great man of vision and great impact -- that impact can be seen in the basic infrastructure, as well as in great projects devoted to the environment, education and the development of the oil industry, whereby he turned the desert into an oasis. Over time, Sheikh Zayed won the recognition in his region as a great statesman, and his international experience strengthened his administration. He will be missed and will be remembered particularly as a great man who was able to translate his dreams into reality for the benefit of his people.

We share the sorrow of the royal family at this time of mourning and sadness and, particularly, we extend to the people and Government of the United Arab Emirates our full solidarity and send them comfort in the hope that they can recover the strength to live.

Mr. McIvor (New Zealand)

On behalf of Group of Western European and other States, I have the honour to speak in tribute to His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, who sadly passed away on 2 November. Sheikh Zayed was a strong and visionary leader of his people and a unifying force in the region. He played a central role in the formation of the United Arab Emirates in 1971 and was elected President of the new federation. With subsequent re-elections, he continued to rule the United Arab Emirates for over 30 years -- a period when the country prospered under his able leadership. During that time, Sheikh Zayed played a major role in the formation of the Gulf Cooperation Council, which was officially established in 1981. That was one of his most lasting and admired achievements. On this sad occasion, I wish to convey the most sincere condolences of the members of the Group of Western European and other States to the Government and people of the United Arab Emirates and Abu Dhabi, and to the family, friends and colleagues of Sheikh Zayed.

Mr. Ghafari (United States)

On behalf of the United States, I extend my deepest condolences to the Government and people of the United Arab Emirates upon the passing of the founder of their country, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Sheikh Zayed lead his nation with exemplary leadership and tolerance. He avidly pursued development and modernization. His leadership and vision united seven independent emirates into one nation. His cherished friendship with the United States will not be forgotten and will certainly be missed. Sheikh Zayed will be remembered for his wise direction, humanitarian leadership and tolerance.

The essence of Sheikh Zayed's philosophy, derived from his deeply held Moslem faith, was that it is the duty of man to improve the life of his fellow men. His record of leadership within the Emirates and the international community demonstrated the dedication and seriousness with which he sought to put that belief into practice. We appreciate this opportunity to honour a man whose contribution to his country and intimate involvement in our Organization will be missed by all. We send our deepest sympathies to Sheikh Zayed's family members.

Mr. Al-Shamsi (United Arab Emirates)

I am taking the floor before the General Assembly to thank it for this special tribute to the head of State of the United Arab Emirates, His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al-Nahyan, our dear brother. He has returned to God, who called him back on the 19th day of Ramadan, that is 2 November 2004. I would like to thank the Secretary-General, Mr. Kofi Annan, his team and all the high officials of the international community, the representatives of regional groups and of Permanent Missions and State leaders for their condolences and for the moving expressions of sympathy that they have addressed regarding our late, lamented leader. Those tributes have been marked by a generosity of spirit, paying tribute to his wisdom, his generosity, his accomplishments and good deeds and his effectiveness in the service of concord, peace and harmony among peoples, for which he remains a symbol and a testament -- not only for his people and his country, but also for the international community and for the region to which we belong. At this sad time I find it hard to find words that will enable me to convey to you with proper eloquence the loss that we feel in the Emirates and throughout the Arab and Muslim world, resulting from the passing of this dear leader who always strove to respect the principles of our Islamic religion and his heritage. Over more than 45 years, he worked and gave tirelessly to promote the good of his people. Despite the extremely difficult circumstances under which he struggled, he was able to leave behind him a precious and unique legacy of unity, solidarity, tolerance and justice, as well as human development and scientific and technological progress. He was a great humanitarian and he will be remembered for that by posterity. His wisdom and his penetrating judgement was employed in the service and unity of his country and his people, but, above and beyond that, he demonstrated a diplomatic wisdom, skill and generous assistance that transcended our borders and served the cause of peace, development and dignity in all corners of the world. He never hesitated to devote his efforts tirelessly to strengthening brotherly relations and relationships of friendship and mutual respect among all peoples of the world. He was unstinting in his assistance and support of the causes of peoples and nations. He oversaw the resolution of economic and political crises, as well as humanitarian crises caused by natural disasters. He won the friendship of nations, which esteem him greatly for his balanced and measured policies. Today, we all accept the decision of God, who has called back our much-lamented, inspiring, courageous leader to his side. His stature is truly international and far exceeds our national borders. He strove to assure peace and security and his skills and qualities are famous, not only within our borders, but also at the international level and especially in our region.

The Sultan has left behind his son as the new ruler, who came into office yesterday pursuant to the Constitution. He will be receiving the support of the people. I thank the heads of State and Government for their condolences. Our country will continue to pursue its balanced policy with full respect for our international commitments and our legal obligations under the Charter of the United Nations and the principles of international law.

The memory of our late, lamented leader, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al-Nahyan, will be an unquenchable source of inspiration because of his work to promote peace and to build a more humane world. We trust in God and may the peace of God be with you all.