The year 2017 will be full of abundance and generosity for the people of the UAE, according to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

Sheikh Mohammed’s vow came during the Cabinet’s first meeting of the year, held at the Union House, where the UAE’s founding fathers first gathered 45 years ago to establish the United Arab Emirates.

“The Union House is a place where the journey of generous giving began. From here, we start a year of generous giving. The founder of the UAE, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, made a difference in our lives. Today, we continue to walk in his footsteps. The union of the United Arab Emirates is a firm truth that we boast to the entire world. It is a source of pride,” he said.

“We fondly cherish it in our hearts and minds, while instilling it in the minds of the new generation, so as to keep our flag fluttering high, God willing.

The UAE continues to strive to build a better future for the country, serve its citizens and enhance government work in all sectors,” Sheikh Mohammed added.

“With a vision inspired by the approach pursued by the founding fathers, we seek to achieve our limitless aspirations under the leadership of the President, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan,” he said, while urging the Cabinet members to build on the legacy left behind by the country’s founder, who “established generous giving as a value in our society”.

Sheikh Mohammed also praised the recently opened Etihad Museum, built next to the Union House. “Four years ago in this place, we issued directives to commemorate the union and its makers. Today, we have a reliable historical reference,” he said.

Additionally, Sheikh Mohammed called upon all government ministers and people to visit the Union House. In particular, he noted that the Ministry of Education should make it a point to bring students to visit the museum to learn about the history of the UAE’s foundation.

“The edifice inspires positive energy, driving us to work as one team based on one vision for the same goals. We have a few years ahead to achieve our National Agenda to serve the nation and citizens. The Union House is a national edifice and a school that teaches people today, and future generations, about the journey of building the UAE. It offers a rich national repertoire of knowledge. It inspires our future,” he said.

Spreading over 26,000 square metres, Etihad Museum was built to tell the full story of the establishment of the UAE in 1971. It is located adjacent to the Union House, where the declaration was announced to establish the independent state of the United Arab Emirates. Its inauguration coincided with the 45th UAE National Day on 2 December.

During the meeting on Sunday, the Cabinet approved the closing accounts of the General Pension and Social Security Authority for 2015, and its budget for the 2017 fiscal year.

Later, the ministers and senior officials visited Etihad Museum.

Those who attended the Cabinet meeting included Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior; and Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs.