Did you know? Thanks to Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who ascended to power in Dubai in the year 2006, Dubai is currently one of the centres of innovation in the world, it is a tourist hub and even a business hub.
His name is being called the King of Dubai by many people in the world, but is he? In this article, we are going to see who really runs Dubai, his background, his contributions to the UAE and what makes him one of the most admired leaders globally.
Ruler vs. King – What’s the Right Title?
DUBAI has no king in the traditional sense. Instead, it is part of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), comprising the conglomeration of seven emirates having hereditary governors. The ruler of Dubai is the official title of the ruler.
He is also capable of being a national leader in the UAE government, but he is not a ruler, as is the case in a king and queen as is the case in the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia.
Meet Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum was born on July 15, 1949. He is the UAE and the ruler of Dubai vice president and prime minister.
He is also the son of the late ruler, Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, who left many legacies, including those of leadership and development, which he inherited.
On the death of his older brother, Sheikh Maktoum, in the year 2006, Sheikh Mohammed acceded to power as the ruler of Dubai and has been at the helm of affairs since then, bringing significant developments to the city.
His Role as Ruler of Dubai
Sheikh Mohammed is a ruler of the Emirate of Dubai and the one who determines its development, economy, infrastructure and its relations with the whole world.
He is also the Prime Minister of the UAE, where he can be said to play a role in national determination, federal policies, as well as major reforms.
Major Achievements and Projects
Sheikh Mohammed has been the man behind numerous record-breaking projects that have catapulted the name Dubai into the mouths of people all over the world. Among the most prominent are:
- Burj Khalifa – the world’s tallest structure
- Palm Jumeirah – a group of artificial islands shaped like palms.
- Dubai Metro– The most sophisticated driverless metro. It belongs to the list of the most developed driverless metros
- Dubai Expo 2020, A big global event that brought millions
It is his vision that also brought with it the establishment of Emirates Airline, Dubai Internet City, and Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC).
His Vision for Dubai’s Future
The idea of innovation in Dubai is that Sheikh Mohammed sees the city becoming green, sustainable, and smart. His strategic plans include:
- Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan
- UAE Artificial Intelligence Strategy
- Clean Energy Strategy to have 75 per cent clean energy power in Dubai by 2050
Leadership Style and Global Image
Sheikh Mohammed, with his leadership skills that are characterised by decision-making, future-oriented thinking, stress on excellence, rapidity, as well as invention.
He is frequently observed to interact with people and makes the government departments exercise openness, accountability, and superiority of service.
He conveys the feature of a contemporary leader with a harmonised attitude to tradition and technology in the international environment.
Timeline of Sheikh Mohammed’s Rule
| Year | Milestone |
| 2006 | Became Ruler of Dubai |
| 2007 | Launched the Dubai Metro project |
| 2010 | Inaugurated Burj Khalifa |
| 2013 | Launched Expo 2020 bid |
| 2021 | Hosted Expo 2020 (postponed due to COVID) |
| 2024 | Announced a major expansion of the Dubai 2040 plan |
Conclusion
In Dubai, there is no king, but at the same time, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum is also a visionary who leaves an impression, as any royal king does. Under his rule, Dubai bled out of the desert to become a global city with modern, luxurious and prospective opportunities. His leadership not only impact the UAE but also how urban life will be in the world.