How the UAE was founded: from the Al Samha meeting to 2 December 1971

The United Arab Emirates was founded on 2 December 1971. But the story of that day began about four years earlier, with a decision taken outside the region and a meeting between two men.^[1]

1968: the start of the road

In 1968 the British announced that they intended to withdraw from the region by the end of 1971. On 18 February 1968 Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum met at Al Samha and agreed to form a union.^[2]

The first plan was for the union to bring together the seven emirates along with Qatar and Bahrain.^[3]

1971: the birth of the state

On 18 July 1971 six emirates announced their resolve to form the union, and on 2 December 1971 the United Arab Emirates was founded. Just one week later, on 9 December 1971, the country joined the United Nations.^[2][1][4]

On 10 February 1972 Ras Al Khaimah joined, completing the union of the seven emirates.^[3]

Sheikh Zayed: the founder and first President

Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan was born in Al Ain in 1918. In 1946 his brother, Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan, appointed him the Ruler of Abu Dhabi's Representative in Al Ain, where he stayed for twenty years, keeping his majlis open to the people and visiting remote areas himself. He became Ruler of Abu Dhabi on 6 August 1966.^[5][6][2]

His first priorities as Ruler included a bridge linking Abu Dhabi island to the mainland, schools, housing and hospitals, a port and an airport, and bringing water and electricity to homes.^[6]

When the Union was founded, Sheikh Zayed was unanimously elected its first President for a five-year term and was re-elected several times, with Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum as Vice President. Sheikh Zayed was known as «Hakeem Al Arab», the Sage of the Arabs. He passed away on 19 Ramadan 1425 AH, 2 November 2004.^[6][3]

Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum

Sheikh Rashid was educated at Al Ahmadiya School. He was Vice President from the founding of the Union and became Prime Minister in 1979.^[5]

How is the country governed? The Federal Supreme Council

The Federal Supreme Council is the highest constitutional authority in the country. It is made up of the Rulers of the seven emirates, and each emirate has one vote.^[7]