On 25th January 1972, the Al-Qasimi Ruling Family in Sharjah selected His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, at the age of 32 years, to succeed his late brother H.H. Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed Al Qasimi as the Ruler of Sharjah and it's dependencies, and as member of the Supreme Council of United Arab Emirates. His Highness is the 15th Ruler of the Emirate of Sharjah in a chain of Al Qasimi Rulers since the year 1630 A.D.

As the Ruler of Sharjah, His Highness led the social, economical, and cultural development of the Emirate of Sharjah. In addition, His Highness devoted considerable effort and resources to promote intercultural interactions and dialogues among the peoples of the world. The following is a brief summary of some of His Highness’s achievements:

Nurturing Civic awareness, Participation & Social Responsibilities:

Encouraged the establishment of many non-governmental organizations to promote social interactions between the communities and the government. Established the Sharjah Consultative Council to involve the people of Sharjah in the development and review of projects at all levels within the Emirate of Sharjah. Established the Municipal Councils in the cities and towns of the Emirate of Sharjah to decentralize the consultations between the communities and the different levels of government.

Establishment of the Sharjah Award for Arabic Culture:

The idea of the award was born out of the designation of Sharjah as the Cultural capital of the Arab world for 1998 by the UNESCO. The award was officially adopted based on His Highness, the Ruler of Sharjah’s generous initiative to allocate the sum of $ 250,000 to the UNESCO. The objective of the biannual prize is to reward an Arab country citizen and a citizen from a non-Arab country whose intellectual or artistic works have contributed to the development, enrichment and dissemination of Arabic culture throughout the world.

	Initiation of Sharjah Cultural Festival Tours in Different Cities:
His Highnes is a firm believer of the importance and significance of the role the arts and culture in bridging the minds and soles of the peoples of the world. The touring Sharjah Cultural Festivals bring aspects of the Arab and Islamic arts and culture to the attention of the peoples of the World.

Fostering Culture, the Arts and Science:

Establishing Sharjah Creative Thinking Foundation that contributed to the publishing of the Islamic Encyclopaedia in Arabia in 33 volumes. Inauguration of Sharjah TV in February 1989, which joined satellite service in 1997. Creation of Arts Zone in Shwaihain area in Sharjah – 1993 Organising annually the Sharjah International Book Fair – since 1982 Establishing the Culture and Information Department in 1981. Establishing a modern web of public libraries and modernization of school libraries. Granting a Sharjah Police Award for the Arab World. Hosting of Sharjah Biennial Exhibition. The exhibition is acclaimed as one of the most important artistic gatherings in the area, since 1993. Establishment of the Islamic Art Festival in Sharjah, since 1998. Establishmnt of Culture without Borders to provide all the families in the Emirate of Sharjah with home libraries. Establishmnt of Sharjah Art Foundation, 2010.

	Conservation of the National Heritage and Arab Identity:
Restoration of houses and ancient buildings and re-opening of Arsah Souq – 1994. Rebuilding of the Old Fort in which documents and archives about Sharjah Emirate are preserved – 1997.

Care for all Social Categories:

Establishment of centers for the rehabilitation of the mentally retarded and handicapped persons – 1999 Establishment of Care Center for old people – 1986 Inauguration of sports, cultural and scientific clubs and projects for Youth and Care Centers for Children. Sponsoring the Annual Arab Children’s Convention. Since 1998 Inauguration of clubs for young girls. Establishment of Sharjah Excellence Award for the handicapped to enhance their smooth social rehabilitation.

Commerce, Industry and Agriculture:

Laid the foundation of basic infrastructure that paved the way for the development of production and government bodies in their various aspects leading to an expansion of local and foreign trade in the industrial sector. Promotion of the tourism industry and the establishment of specialized public institutions in a global development process that boosted the performance of the GNP of the Emirate with special note from agriculture and industry. Adoption of Islamic Architecture in public buildings and market places. Expansion of green landscapes, public gardens and parks. Creation of the Botanic Garden which is the first of its kind in the region vying with its international peers. Creation of model free zones in Hamriyah and Sharjah International Airport.