Terrain is ‘challenging’ in search for ADIA’s Sheikh Ahmed

Terrain is ‘challenging’ in search for ADIA’s Sheikh Ahmed

UAE team is assisting in search for Sheikh Ahmed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who who went missing in a glider crash in Morocco on Friday.

March 29, 2010 8:16 by Ben Flanagan

Difficult terrain is hampering the search for Sheikh Ahmed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who went missing in a glider crash in Morocco on Friday.

A team was dispatched from the UAE to assist in the search, according to a statement issued by state news agency WAM.

“The search and rescue team state that the operation by them and other international teams is ongoing. However, the nature of the terrain is making the survey and tracking effort especially challenging,” the statement said.

Al Nahyan’s glider crashed into a lake located near the Sidi Mohammed bin Abdullah Dam close to the town of Skhirat, about 35km south of the capital Rabat. The Spanish co-pilot was rescued and is in a stable condition, but search efforts for the Abu Dhabi royal are continuing. It is not yet known what caused the glider to crash.

Sheikh Ahmed is managing director the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA), and a younger brother of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the ruler of Abu Dhabi and UAE president. In 2009, Forbes magazine listed Sheikh Ahmed as the 27th most powerful person in the world.

Another of Sheikh Ahmed’s brothers, Mansour bin Zayed al-Nahyan, is the owner of Manchester City Football Club.

ADIA, which is believed to have assets of up to $700 billion, is considered to be among the world’s biggest sovereign wealth funds. Earlier this year, Sheikh Ahmed said the fund sees “significant, long-term investment potential” in both Europe and the US despite the global downturn.

Between 35-50 percent of ADIA’s investments are typically in North America, and another 25-35 percent are in Europe.

Sheikh Ahmad is also chairman of the board of trustees of the Zayed Foundation for Charity and Humanitarian Works.