Throughout the last 5 decades, the United Arab Emirates has made quick progress from the

barren desert it once was. The UAE was once split up, each emirate separate, and was heavily
undeveloped, using donkeys to transport water every day, camels for travel between cites and
relying almost solely on the declining pearl industry and fishing. I am sure you’ve heard of the
dangerous and time-consuming lives pearl divers lived, but as the pearl industry fell, UAE found
another source of income.

Economy
1958, Abu Dhabi. Vast amounts of oil were found by Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, both
on and offshore, and after exports of oil began in 1962 the economy took a huge boost. Dubai
creek was expanded during this time to allow larger ships to go through. However, at this point
the emirates were still split up, only joining to make the UAE in 1971. Historically dependent on
oil, the leaders realized the importance of finding another source of income to become
sustainable in the long term, therefore turned to the outside world- the establishment of
freezones (like the Jebal Ali Freezone in 1985) signaled the beginning of a deliberate attempt to
attract foreign investment and gain diversity within the country. Finance in the UAE and
particularly in Dubai made substantial growth after the additions of free zones, however a
significant role in the economy is played by tourism. Several buildings in the UAE- Burj Khalifa,
Burj Al Arab, Ferrari World (home to the world’s fastest roller coaster), IMG world (The world’s
largest indoor amusement park)- reflect UAE’s response to the influx of tourists, and these
ambitious projects, along with the friendly and welcoming environment of the UAE, has drawn
the attention of people around the world, to live here or just to visit.

Cultural Diversity
Over the past 50 years, the UAE’s population has expanded from 235,499 to around 9.5 million,
majority being male. Most of these inhabitants are from a variety of places around the globe,
and expats make up almost 89% of UAE’s population. While India makes up almost 28% of
these expats, they also come from Pakistan, Bangladesh, various parts of Europe, Egypt and
more. The UAE has embraced diversity & thrived off it, making its greatest income from
tourism- tourists spent over 240 billion AED in the UAE last year! UAE has encouraged tolerance
with immigrant friendly laws and by making the country safe for anyone who wishes to pass
through, and projects like Expo 2020 allowed for the UAE to share their culture with the world
and helped the population recognize and appreciate the cultures across the world that have
been brought together in this corner of the earth they call home.
Environment
UAE is leading the clean energy revolution due to its investments in renewable energy and its
function as the home of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). 14 projects have
been launched, all aiming at lowering greenhouse gas emissions, particularly carbon dioxide, by
1 million tonnes annually, and UAE is also one of the first major oil producing countries that
accepted the Kyoto Protocol, which states that the 37 agreeing nations plus the European
Community cut their greenhouse gas emissions by 5 per cent below 1990 levels.
Then in 2014, the US and the UAE set up the first annual bilateral energy discussion which both
improved relations between the two countries and looked to move forward environmentally.
UAE also organized the Abu Dhabi Ascent that year in May to spark action on climate change,
bringing together representatives of the public, business, and civil society.

Continuing this inspiring change, UAE hosted the COP28 this year, and pledged $100 million to
the Loss & damage fund which will be helping developing countries deal with the effects of
climate change. The EU has promised $275 million, US promised $17.5 million and $10 million
comes from Japan. The total amount of money is an average of $475 million.
Carbon dioxide emissions have gone from 80 metric tons per capita in 1970 to 19.47 metric
tons per capita in 2021! Looking forwards, UAE wishes to cut down co2 emissions by 40%.

Health & Education

When this country was first born over 50 years ago, there was only one hospital per state. Now,
there are over 105, with the life expectancy also increasing for both men and woman. Along
with the increasing number of people, more and more of them have become literate. 5 decades
ago, less than 50% of the UAE could read, and now that percentage is above 95%!

Bibliography
Ashley Hammond, Chief Reporter. “Looking Back at the UAE’s Last 50 Years and Ahead to
the Next.” UAE – Gulf News, Gulf News, 15 Dec. 2019, gulfnews.com/uae/looking-back-
at-the-uaes-last-50-years-and-ahead-to-the-next-1.68499556. Accessed 06 Dec. 2023.

Government, UAE. “The UAE’s Response to Climate Change.” The United Arab Emirates’
Government Portal, 2020,
u.ae/en/information-and-services/environment-and-energy/climate-change/
theuaesresponsetoclimatechange. Accessed 06 Dec. 2023.