The UAE Embassies and the Diplomatic Missions abroad marked the UAE's 44th National Day anniversary.
In Brazil, H.E. Khaled Khalifa Al Mu'alla, UAE Ambassador to Brazil, hosted a reception to mark the occasion which was attended by Saleh Ahmed Al Suwaidi, UAE Consul-General in Sao Paulo, and a group of senior Brazilian officials led by Ricardo Lewandowski, President of the Supreme Federal Court of Brazil, Aldo Rebelo, Minister of Defence, and a number of top foreign ministry officials, MPs, VIP guests, diplomats, businessmen and representatives of the civil society and Arab community.
The audience congratulated the UAE on the national day and highlighted the strong friendship ties that bind the leaderships, governments and peoples of Brazil and the UAE.
In Spain, the UAE Consulate-General in Barcelona held a reception to celebrate the national day.
UAE Ambassador to Spain H.E. Dr. Hessa Al Otaina, and Salem Al Owais, the Consul-General, were at hand to welcome more than 500 VIP guests, who included representative of the President of the Generalitat (head of the Government) of Catalonia, senior government officials, CEOs and local community leaders.
Addressing the audience, the Ambassador and the Consul reviewed remarkable achievements made by the UAE over the past 44 years thanks to the visionary leadership and close interaction between the leadership and the people.
H.E. Khaled Al Muhairi, the UAE Consul-General in Munich, hosted a reception on the occasion.
It was attended by a group of diplomats, and a crowd of businessmen, media persons, directors of hospitals and other guests.
Chief guest Franz Josef Pschierer, State Secretary of Bavarian State Ministry of Economic Affairs and Media, Energy and Technology, lauded the good ties between the two countries and expressed the hope for a broader bilateral trade exchange and cooperation.
In Toronto, the Consulate-General also marked the event. The Consul-General, H.E. Sultan Al Harbi, congratulated the leaders and people of the UAE on the 44th National Day and spoke about the UAE's prominent standing in the international community.
He said the UAE is playing a tangible role at regional and international arenas through its distinctive strategic economic and political partnerships with other countries which contributed to advancing regional and international security, peace stability and development.
In Tashkent, capital of Uzbekistan, the UAE Embassy marked the national day with a grand ceremony attended by Elyor Ganiev, Minister of Foreign Economic Relations, Investments and Trade.
H.E. Mohammed Hareb Al Muhairi welcomed around 600 guests including senior Uzbek government officials.
In Santiago, capital of Chile, UAE Ambassador H.E. Abdullah Mohammed Al Maina hosted a reception during which he welcomed a number of top government officials, MPs, senators, army and police officers, diplomats and businessmen.
In his address to the audience, the Ambassador spoke the progress of the UAE since the founding father, the late Sheikh Zayed, established the Union, the spectacular achievements it has made and balanced policy it adopted which has gained it a prominent place regionally and internationally.
He also reviewed the humanitarian initiatives being implemented by the UAE in different parts of the world.
He also touched on the developing ties between the two countries at government and people-to-people levels.
The United Arab Emirates Embassy in Washington, DC celebrated the UAE’s 44th National Day at a gala event hosted by Ambassador H.E. Yousef Al Otaiba.
In marking the UAE’s rapid progress over 44 years, the event at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC honored the newly announced Emirates Mission to Mars and underscored how the country’s space program will inspire a new generation of scientists and engineers.
On this festive occasion, Ambassador Al Otaiba also congratulated UAE President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan, Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces His Highness General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Their Highnesses the Rulers of Emirates, and the people of the UAE on the 44th national anniversary of the United Arab Emirates.
"The UAE is building an economic engine for the entire region a place that encourages and celebrates innovation, creativity and enterprise," said the Ambassador during remarks at the event.
"The UAE Mars mission serves as much more than a scientific and technological breakthrough. It is a signpost for future generations both in the UAE and across the region that says anything is possible."
The UAE’s Mars probe "Hope," or "Al Amal" in Arabic will be launched in July 2020.
It is expected to enter Mars’ orbit in 2021, coinciding with the UAE’s 50th anniversary. Once in orbit, the Hope probe will serve as the planet’s first weather satellite, collecting data to help scientists around the world better understand how the Martian atmosphere and climate has changed over millions of years.
Leaders from the UAE Space Agency, led by Director General Dr. Mohamed Nasser Al Ahbabi, joined the UAE Embassy for its National Day celebration.
Dr. Al Ahbabi commented on how the Emirates Mars Mission hopes to contribute to the UAE’s growth and prosperity.
"The Emirates Mars Mission is the first space exploration mission to be launched by an Arab country, and we are confident the mission and space program will accomplish great things. Our vision is that this project will help the development of the UAE’s economy, support local, regional and international space study and technology and create exciting new learning opportunities," said Dr. Al Ahbabi.
Dr. Ellen Stofan, Chief Scientist at NASA, also delivered brief remarks, highlighting the importance of international collaboration.
"The Journey to Mars will be a very different journey than NASA’s exploration of the Moon," said Dr. Stofan. "Space agencies around the world are advancing the exploration and utilization of space, using a systematic approach to expand humankind’s presence in the solar system. Like the Curiosity Rover, the Emirates Mars Mission will inspire an entire generation of scientists, engineers, researchers and dreamers to think, create and innovate. NASA looks forward to working closely with the UAE on the path to Mars."
The UAE Embassy’s National Day celebration was attended by hundreds of guests, including senior US government officials, high-profile media, business and community leaders, and members of the diplomatic community.
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