In the UAE calendar, July 15 is not just a birthday; it is an opportunity to reflect on the journey Dubai has taken over the past two decades. Today, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, turns 77.

Since taking the helm of Dubai in 2006, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed has played a significant role in transforming the city into one of the world's most important centers for trade, tourism, and innovation; a journey that continues with initiatives such as the 'Dubai Urban Master Plan 2040'.

He was born on July 15, 1949, in the Al Shindagha area of Dubai. After studying in Britain and receiving military training, he became the head of Dubai Police at the age of 19 and just three years later, became the youngest Minister of Defense in the world.

Following the passing of His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he became the Ruler of Dubai in January 2006 and was simultaneously appointed as Vice President of the UAE and later as Prime Minister of the country. In the subsequent years, he introduced long-term plans such as 'UAE Vision 2021' and 'UAE 2071' for the country's development.

In recent years, a series of major projects have been launched with his approval that shape the future of Dubai; from the development of public beaches and the implementation of the Hatta Comprehensive Plan to the massive Palm Jebel Ali project, which is set to be twice the size of Palm Jumeirah and host dozens of new hotels and entertainment complexes.

In the transportation sector, the Blue Line of the Dubai Metro, which is set to begin operations in 2029, will connect nine key areas of the city to the metro network. Additionally, the Gold Line of the metro, introduced this year, with a 42-kilometer route passing through 15 key areas, is expected to facilitate daily commutes for about 1.5 million people by 2032.

Another notable project is the development of Al Maktoum International Airport; a 128 billion dirham project that will increase its annual capacity to 260 million passengers, making it one of the largest airports in the world.

This year, the 'Dubai Longevity Organization' was also launched to promote health, prevention, and enhance quality of life, and the UAE government announced that it would be the first government to widely implement Agentic AI in public services.

Of course, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed is not only recognized as a politician. He is a prominent poet of Nabati poetry, a professional horse rider, an enthusiast of horse racing, and a supporter of humanitarian activities; a figure who continues to play a significant role in the development and future of Dubai.