President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has led national tributes marking 20 years since Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum assumed leadership as Ruler of Dubai, highlighting two decades defined by rapid development, institutional reform and global ambition.
Sheikh Mohammed became Ruler of Dubai on January 4, 2006, following the death of his brother, Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid. Since then, his tenure has coincided with a period of accelerated growth that reshaped Dubai’s economy, infrastructure and international standing, while also influencing governance at the federal level through his roles as Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates.
In a message posted on X, President Sheikh Mohamed praised Sheikh Mohammed’s leadership and long-term vision, crediting him with advancing national development.
“In honour of 20 years of my brother Mohammed bin Rashid leading our government, we celebrate his inspiring record of achievements and future-focused vision that continues to advance the UAE's growth”, he said.
“May God protect him as we work together in pursuit of progress and development for our beloved nation and people".
Tributes were echoed by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence.
“Thank you, Mohammed bin Rashid. You will always be the father, the leader, and the source of inspiration we look up to", he said.
“With unwavering determination, you have built a proud legacy for the nation, guiding its progress and inspiring hope at every step. You have always believed in the people of the UAE, recognising human potential as the nation’s greatest wealth".
Senior leaders also underscored the broader governance impact of Sheikh Mohammed’s approach. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, said his leadership had embedded a “nothing is impossible” culture across government entities and transformed the federal system into what he described as “an exceptional model of forward-looking, results-driven governance”, according to the state news agency Wam.
Over the past two decades, Sheikh Mohammed’s tenure has been closely associated with landmark projects that have come to symbolise Dubai’s rise as a global city. These include the opening of Burj Khalifa in 2010, now the world’s tallest building, as well as the development of Dubai Marina, the expansion of the Dubai Metro network, and the creation of major retail destinations such as Dubai Mall and Mall of the Emirates.
His leadership was also pivotal during periods of challenge. Dubai’s rapid recovery from the coronavirus pandemic culminated in the successful hosting of Expo 2020 Dubai, which was postponed by a year because of the global health crisis but went on to attract millions of visitors and reinforce confidence in the emirate’s resilience.
More recently, Dubai’s global profile was further elevated when it hosted Cop28 in 2023. The summit concluded with a landmark agreement encouraging countries to transition away from fossil fuels, widely referred to as the UAE Consensus.