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The UAE is going through a period of 'progressive empowerment'

The United Arab Emirates is celebrating two cherished and revered occasions ­- elections to the Federal National Council and the achievement of the UAE's first astronaut, Hazzaa AlMansoori, who recently completed his maiden visit to the International Space Station, ISS.
The term 'progressive empowerment' can be applied to both these events, for they offer evidence of political, scientific, economic and social progress.
Fourteen years ago, the country's wise leadership launched a programme of political development based on the 'Shura' or consultation principle and introduced election process to the FNC. This allows the UAE to implement its goal of sustainability through a gradual approach and also empower the people.
The leadership has thus enabled this democratic institution to fulfil its duties and responsibilities in sustaining the principle of empowerment and Shura as an approach established by the Founding Father, late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
With the fourth round of the FNC elections, "progressive empowerment" has delivered on its promise of "sustainable progress" in line with the nature of the UAE society, both through the election of FNC members and through the empowerment of women.
In space, AlMansoori has completed historic eight-day scientific mission aboard the International Space Station. He returned to earth along with two other astronauts Nick Hague and Aleksey Ovchinin on October 3. His journey marks the successful completion of a key stage in the UAE Space Programme, which is an enormous achievement.
Mohammed Jalal Al Rayssi is Executive Director of the Emirates News Agency, WAM