VIDEO: UAE welcomes 2022 with spectacular fireworks displays

Fireworks lit up the skies over Burj Khalifa in Dubai as the clock strikes midnight in the UAE to usher 2022 in style.

Thousands attended the fireworks and laser shows at various locations in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah.

The Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building, set off another record-breaking display despite a slew of COVID-19 cases.

In Jumeirah, a stunning drone show at Bluewaters captivated the audiences celebrating the New Year.

All those watching the events live, whether at public places, hotels or restaurants in Dubai were told to wear masks and register with identifying QR barcodes.

The neighbouring Emirate of Sharjah put up a breathtaking fireworks display at Al Majaz Waterfront along with LED shows and robot parades throughout the evening.

UAE President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has sent cables of congratulations to Their Highnesses and Majesties, Presidents, Kings and Princes of friendly countries around the world, on the occasion of the New Year, 2022.

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, dispatched similar cables on the occasion.

Sheikh Mohammed said on Twitter, “As we bid farewell to a year full of achievements for the UAE, we welcome 2022 with confidence of the best to come.

“Happy New Year to you, your families and your countries.

“May the New Year 2022 bring peace and prosperity to humanity.”

Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed said, “We welcome the new year with hope and optimism for the future and a shared determination to continue building on the achievements of our nation.

“May the year ahead bring peace and wellbeing to the people of the UAE and the world.”

On the celebration front, the world ushered in 2022 on Friday after another tumultuous and pandemic-ridden year capped by new restrictions, soaring case numbers, and a slight glimmer of hope for better times ahead.

The past 12 months saw a new US president and a new Adele album, the first spectator-free Olympics, and dreams of democracy from Afghanistan to Myanmar and Hong Kong crushed by regimes.

But it was the pandemic - now entering its third year - that again dominated life for most of humankind.

France became the latest country to announce Omicron was now its dominant coronavirus strain on Friday.

In Britain, the United States, and even Australia - long a refuge from the pandemic - the variant's prominence is driving record new cases.

Parts of the Pacific nation of Kiribati became the first to welcome the New Year from 1000 GMT.

South Africa, where the Omicron variant was detected last month, said its latest coronavirus wave has peaked without a surge in deaths or hospitalisations, enabling the country to lift a nightly curfew for the first time in 21 months.

Nine out of 10 Filipinos said they would face 2022 with hope instead of fear amid warnings that the coronavirus pandemic would continue to wreak havoc throughout the world for the third straight year, based on findings by a private pollster.