The UAE’s 2018 Achievements Were Nothing Short Of Amazing

If you’ve lived in the UAE for long, or just moved here

It’s undeniable that this country in the Middle East has grown extensively over the last 47 years.

And while the UAE is still a relatively young country, day by day it proves that age is nothing but a number.

In the 47 years since the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan founded the UAE and combined the 7 emirates together, the UAE has been on a road of success with many more to come in the future.

2018 started off very special and ended very special too.

As part of a continuation of the honouring of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, 2019 was announced to be a year of tolerance and acceptance.

2019 Will Be The ‘Year Of Tolerance’ In The UAE

Effective from the first day of 2019, the UAE will become a global capital for tolerance worldwide and will instil the much-needed co-existence values of peace and tolerance in the country, in the region and around the world.

The ‘Year of Tolerance,’ aims to do so through the legislative and policy-oriented goals of the UAE that will act as an inspiring hub for other countries to follow suit.

The late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan is the man behind the virtues of tolerance and co-existence in the UAE, which only saw fit that the Year of Tolerance follows such an extraordinary year this year.

1. Year of Zayed

Let’s not forget how 2018 started – with the 100th birthday of the founding father himself.

The UAE made a special dedicated to the UAE’s father in 2018, with every intiative, project and humanitarian movement dedicated to the vision and beliefs he held.

Sheikh Zayed, as many would agree, believed in the virtues of peace, tolerance and co-existence in the country…

Even when the country was young and flourishing, he saw a greater future for his people and the country as a whole.

Why 2018 Will Be Known As The Year of Zayed in the UAE

2. VAT

It was back in 2017 when residents in the UAE were shocked at the news of the introduction of the Value Added Tax (VAT) on all goods and services provided in the country.

In a never before seen move, the UAE was amongst the first in the Middle East to begin adding a tax on goods purchased and sold within the country.

With a 5% add-on, residents may have been panicked as the 2018 New Year rolled in, but they have since adjusted and have enjoyed the many benefits that the UAE offers to all the residents.

VAT in the UAE to be Introduced Next January

VAT in the UAE: Frequently Asked Questions About Value Added Tax, Answered

3. KhalifaSat

2018 may have been the space year for the UAE as it has reached for the stars and put its mark in the space above it – literally.

With the launch of the UAE’s first ever satellite, KhalifaSat, back in October, it was a landmarked event and everyone stood by to witness it.

Launched from the southern tip of Japan, KhalifatSat was entirely designed, tested and manufactured by Emirati engineers at the UAE’s very own space centre – the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre in Abu Dhabi.

And if one wasn’t enough, the UAE also launched another Emirati made satellite into space in November - called MYSAT-1, this student-built satellite will be accompanied KhalifaSAT above the UAE in space.

With advancements in space technologies and projects, the UAE has also been preparing two Emirati astronauts to be blasted into space in 2019.

Both Emirati astronauts, Saif Al Neyadi and Hazza Al Mansouri, will be sent to Russia first for advanced training before the first space mission starts in 2019.

The UAE's First Satellite Has Launched Into Space

The First Image From The UAE's KhalifaSat Has Been Shared

UAE’s Second Satellite Will Be Blasted Into Space In November

Here's What The Emirati Astronauts Will Face in Space

4. Robots everywhere

With technological advancements throughout the year, the UAE was a pioneer in technology, AI and surreal projects.

From driverless taxis, hovering motorbikes, waste shark and more, there was nothing that the UAE achieved in autonomous robots.

The Dubai Police witnessed the very first hovering motorbikes, the waters of Dubai are cleaned via an autonomous robot and Dubai residents were shuttled with the help of driverless taxis…

And the whole world witnessed the country mark itself as a technologically advanced hub.

Eight Cool And Completely Autonomous Robots In Dubai

Dubai Police Are Training To Use Awesome New Flying Motorcycles

5. Expats retire

Expats were elated in September when it was announced that expats aged 55 years old and over who wish to settle down post-retirement in the United Arab Emirates can finally do so – given that they can secure a five-year retirement plan.

Most expats moving to the country have to obtain a visa of some sort, which guarantees their stay in the country for a period of time until it gets renewed – causing the UAE to be a home to over 200 nationalities with Emirati nationals only accounting for 20% of the whole population.

Making Dubai the highest city with the most expats in the entire world! It actually beat London, Paris, New York and other cosmopolitan cities.

Expats Can Now Retire In The UAE

Dubai Has The Highest Expat Population In The World

6. Dubai airport

Having the title of the city with the most expats worldwide, it wasn’t unusual to read that the Dubai International airport was voted the busiest in the month of August – breaking a world record for most passengers.

So much so, that the Dubai-based airport celebrated the arrival of its one billionth flyer in December.

And proving that anything can happen in Dubai, the lucky passenger was a 9 year old boy named Arjun.

DXB International Airport Welcomed Its One Billionth Passenger With A Special Greeting

New Record Set By Dubai International Airport

7. Expo 2020

It wouldn’t be a UAE best achievement list if we didn’t mention the most anticipated project in the country’s history…Expo 2020.

With less than a year to go, 2018 proved to be a full-geared year towards completing the anticipated project.

And the thirst of the public for information towards the popular project was fed with various teasers about Expo 2020 – from stunt videos, drone videos and special countdown light events…everyone is excitedly awaiting the year 2020.

A Mesmerising Drone Footage Of Expo2020 Has Been Released

WATCH: An Amazing Stunt Video Was Made To Countdown Dubai Expo 2020

Celebrate The Expo 2020 Countdown With An Amazing Light Show

8. UAE passport

All these amazing projects prove that the UAE and the residents within the country are prosperous, vision-sharing and hardworking individuals that helped the country come a long way.

UAE nationals can now enjoy having the most powerful passport in the world – allowing them to enter 167 countries without the need of a visa.

Topping the list at number 1 in 2018, the UAE passport has beat the UK, Belgium, Austria, Japan, Greece, Portugal, Switzerland, Ireland, Canada and more.

UAE Passport is Now the Most Powerful in the World

9. UAE national day

Celebrating this amazing country in a special year dedicated to the founding father, the UAE had a magnificent UAE National Day filled with celebrations, fireworks, achievements and cheerfulness.

With parades, fireworks, events, holidays and marches – December 2nd is a day to be held with great pride and happiness for UAE nationals as they share their traditions, history and pride with everyone in the country.

Where to Watch the 47th UAE National Day Fireworks in Dubai

10. New Pet laws

Including our furry friends who also reside in the UAE, it was a great year for their rights as animals in the country.

Pet owners, pet rescuers and pet lovers were elated at the change in UAE laws regarding owners abandoning their pets, which is now punishable by law.

Residents who fail to abide by these new regulations will face legal punishment for doing so.

Abandoning Your Pet Now Punishable By Law in UAE

11. Dubai fitness challenge

An annual effort to keep the country fit and healthy, the Dubai Fitness Challenge started and ended with great results and enthusiasm from UAE residents.

Thousands of residents took part in this month-long health initiative aimed to challenge everyone to 30 minutes of exercise every day in November.

And 2018 saw results like no other year, which proves that the UAE is up for a challenge, no matter how tough or hard it may be.

How to Get Involved with Dubai Fitness Challenge

Here's Why Your Phone Says 'Challenge Accepted'

To a fantastic year, we can’t wait to see what 2019 holds for the UAE!