Sultan Bin Sulayem: Dubai delivered unforgettable lessons of creativity, efficiency and good crisis management

Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Chairman of DP World and Chairman of Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation, said Dubai has surprised the whole world with such exceptional audacity, efficiency and creativity shown during the emirate’s extraordinary New Year’s Eve celebrations 2016. 

Bin Sulayempointed out that many world security and civil defense experts speculated about the possible annulment of one of the world’s best NYErevelsdue to the fire that broke out at the Address Downtown hotel just a few hours before the kickoff of the long-anticipated celebrations. “But their speculations were proven wrong when Dubai dazzled everyone twice in less than 3 hours with civil defense, ambulance services and police men tackling the blaze promptly and professionally in an area where hundreds of thousands of people flock in every day,” he said.

He praised the Dubai authorities for bringing the flames under control and successfully evacuating all guests of the hotel in a record time and with no fatalities–such quick and efficient action never seen anywherein the world. Those evacuated were comforted and providedalternative hotel rooms. The excellent management of this emergency incident and the transparent manner in which it was handled communication wise confirms the efficiency of Dubai in dealing with crises.

“Dubai amazed the entire world once again by bravely declaring that the New Year's Eve celebrations would continue as scheduled. The fire that erupted at the Address Downtown hotel failed to dampen the revelers’ excitement as a spectacular fireworks display went off at the nearby BurjKahlifa and other city landmarks of Dubaiand lasted for over half an hour. The wise leadership of the emirate, while prioritizing the safety of the people on site,at the same timewouldn’t prevent such massive crowd of UAE residents and visitors and millions of viewers around the world from relishing the colorfulcelebrations they were promised,” he added.

Bin Sulayem said that by taking the sensible decision of staging – and saving – what truly turned to be one of the best NYE celebrations the world has ever seen, Dubai hasmanifested enormous capability and determination to take on challenges and defeat them, which makes Dubaiworthy of our trust and the trust of all its admirers around the world.“Dubai has delivered unforgettable lessons of creativity, efficiency, and good planning and crisis management.”