Promoting love, peace and generous giving has always been a long-standing approach pursued by the UAE where man is the centre of attention, thanks to the legacy of the founder of the UAE, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, said H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in the Western Region and President of the Emirates Red Crescent, on Saturday.

He was commenting on the declaration today of 2017 as the Year of Giving by President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, that seeks to promote the culture of giving back to the community and enhance the spirit of volunteering and loyalty to one’s country.

Sheikh Zayed's philanthropy brought benefit to all people both at home and internationally, and his approach will continue to be followed by the present and future leadership, he stressed, while calling upon all Emiratis in the public and private sectors to respond to the new initiative to show gratitude for their country, Sheikh Hamdan said.

"This approach is not unusual for the UAE leadership, namely H.H. Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed, who is being backed by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces. They all learned from the late Sheikh Zayed and established a policy that promotes love and tolerance both at home and internationally making the UAE a true humanitarian capital of the world," Sheikh Hamdan said.

The new initiative, he said, is further proof that the UAE remains a regional and global humanitarian leader offering help to all those in need.

"What the UAE leadership seeks is to nurture the seedling planted by the forefathers in the UAE and instilled in the minds of its people so as to keep them in harmony, solidarity and love and empower them to rush to the help of all those in distress anywhere in the world."

The UAE's humanitarian journey of philanthropy achieve its goal of spreading peace for all Emiratis, bolstering brotherly bonds and constructive co-operation with all other societies to spread peace that provides favourable conditions for construction and development for the present and the future generations, Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed said.