National Library and Archives

Holding the first meeting of the Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Technology Committee,
The National Library and Archives Invests in Artificial Intelligence and its Applications in Line with its Long-Term Strategy
At its first meeting, the Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Technology Committee at the National Library and Archives, headed by His Excellency Abdullah Majed Al Ali, Director General of the NLA, discussed the key objectives and future plans for integrating AI technologies into the NLA’s work. They also emphasized the importance of policy guidance and strategies related to investments in AI and emerging technologies.
On the importance of AI and its applications in archival work, His Excellency Abdullah Majed Al Ali mentioned that the NLA is eager to advance archival practices through scientific approaches and cutting-edge technologies, drawing upon the most advanced techniques and global best practices. He emphasized that this vision encourages the adoption of a proactive methodology in developing advanced digital infrastructure to accelerate progress. He added that the NLA is committed to embracing AI solutions and applications that align with its long-term strategic objectives up to 2031, which encompass enhancing innovations and shaping future AI courses. His Excellency highlighted that this involves discovering innovate solutions to strengthen leadership, particularly as the UAE progresses towards its Centennial anniversary led by our wise leadership that aim at elevating the UAE’s status to the forefront globally.
Mr. Hamad Al Mutairi, Director of the Archives Department and Vice President of the Committee, emphasized that the challenge of managing the vast volume of digital content, along with the rapid development of technologies, urges us to constantly seek innovative solutions. In this context, we anticipate investing in AI and its application within our archival work as well as in the assimilation, management and accessibility of the memory of the nation. Furthermore, there is a strong recommendation for the application of AI technologies in the development of digital archives, which are designed to accommodate rapid changes, and in the creation of innovative and efficient tools that will facilitate the access and analysis of information for both institutions and researchers.
During the course of the meeting, several presentations were delivered, underscoring the critical importance of integrating AI with archival work at the National Library and Archives. These presentations also outlined strategies for the integration of these technologies, aiming to enhance work efficiency and improve the quality of the provided services.
The meeting concluded with an agreement to intensify efforts and foster the integration of initiatives and projects for further advancement of the NLA. This is in harmony with the committee’s objectives of enhancing competency, innovation, and adopting advanced technology in solutions and systems

Exploring the enigma of pearls and emphasizing the importance of intergenerational learning and exchanges, the link between national identity, heritage and traditional music, and global trends for sustainable collection of oral collection
The National Library and Archives launches the 3rd Emirates International Oral History Conference attracting a significant official and public audience.

The activities of 3rd Emirates International Oral History Conference kicked off at the headquarters of the National Library and Archives, which was held under the theme “Their memory is our history, Sustainable Trends in Oral History & Knowledge Preservation”. It demonstrated that oral history holds equal significance to written history, as the recollections of its narrators preserve events, circumstances, and stories that might have been overlooked by historians in written records.
His Excellency Abdullah Majed Al Ali, Director General of the National Library and Archives, opened the conference with a speech emphasizing that the National Library and Archives will continue to serve as a stronghold for preserving and documenting heritage. He assured that the NLA’s efforts will persist in fostering national identity and enhancing cultural memory.
His Excellency emphasized that the significance of oral narration lies in its role in fostering conversations with history, as it serves as a vibrant conduit linking present-day generations with the experiences of their ancestors, enhancing their comprehension of their societies’ traits and origins. He further noted that this is evident in the way we appreciate the audio and video recordings of human treasures captured by photographers and videographers, and the living accounts of veterans who experienced events that left permanent marks on our history. He highlighted that these stories are more than just recollections; they act as a driving force that encourages us to emulate the sacrifices of our ancestors and to honour their legacies, thereby motivating us to safeguard our collective memory and the essence of our genuine society.
His Excellency hoped that experts, researchers and participants would have fruitful times in sharing knowledge and experiences. He also hoped that the conference events would offer an environment where we can find motivation for developing new methods to safeguard human heritage and explore creative approaches to document and archive our unique narratives and current events. He added that this would serve as a guiding light for future generations, enabling them to gain a deeper understanding of the human story and its trajectory across history.
On behalf of Sheikha Dr. Shamma bint Mohammed bin Khalid Al Nahyan, Chairperson of the Board of Directors of Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalid Al Nahyan Cultural Centre, Her Excellency Maryam Hamad Al Shamsi, the centre’s Secretary General, delivered the guest of honour speech. She highlighted that our history has been passed down through generations via oral narratives, emphasizing that oral history plays a crucial role in preserving our culture, heritage, and historical events. She also noted that these stories, tales and myths that are transmitted orally are considered the main framework for the cultural and value stock of the Emirati national identity.
She pointed out that due to progress in technology and the different methods now accessible for recording history scientifically and culturally, the significance of oral history in recording current events has declined. However, it still plays a crucial role in recording historical events. By archiving our oral history in such a protective way, we ensure that our past and memories are preserved for future generations.
Sheikha Dr. Shamma bint Mohammed bin Khalid Al Nahyan’s speech touched on the topics of the conference that delve into the human value in our history, particularly highlighting the significance of pearls as a lens through which we can view periods of both prosperity and hardship in Emirati society. Pearls were not merely a source of income for our ancestors but rather a symbol of resilience and the capacity to overcome life’s challenges.
She highlighted the significance of folklore and how deeply it is intertwined with various elements of our national heritage. She also emphasized the role of cultural heritage as a fundamental component in shaping the contemporary Emirati identity, ensuring that our customs and traditions continue to resonate with the next generations.
Following that, the first session of the 3rd Emirates International Conference on Oral History commenced, entitled: Pearls: Enigmatic, Eclectic and Alluring. It was moderated by Dr. Aisha Belkhair, NLA’s Research Advisor and the Conference General Coordinator. She highlighted the historical and economic significance of pearls, their role in society and human life, and their influence on mainstream culture. The first speaker, Mr. Mustafa Al-Fardan explored pearls as a source of enigma and and the search for knowledge and touched on material landmarks and heritage literature. He shed light on the origins of diving and the epic of Gilgamesh, then moved on to the depiction of diving in pre-Islamic and Umayyad poetry, focusing on the most celebrated tales associated with the diving trade. He ended his talk by quoting His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai: “We thank the challenges we learned from; we thank the circumstances that made us; we thank the past that brought us to where we are.”
Next, Mr. Deepak Bhatia delved into significant elements of his family’s history that was renowned for its involvement in the pearl trade and industry. He bolstered his presentation with numerous old and unique photographs of his grandfather and his partners in this field. Bhatia illuminated the different forms of pearls, such as the moon shape and teardrop-shaped pearls. He also shared insights from the book he authored, which details the history of pearls and the beginnings of the pearl trade.
The session wrapped up with Mr. Mohamed Abdul Razzaq Al Mahmoud from Bahrain, from the Kingdom of Bahrain. He spoke about the historical interest of the GCC countries and Bahrain in pearl diving, as well as the practices of his grandfather and father in the pearl trade, and his own deep-seated interest in the profession. He shared amusing anecdotes about pearls, the search for them, pearl trade and its significance, leaving a lasting impression on the audience about the profession of pearl diving, suggesting it was one that historically brought the GCC countries together. He also shed light on the use of pearls as adornments for men in rings, buttons for clothing, and as embellishments for weapons such as swords and daggers.
The audience’s engagement with the topic of the first session was clear through the numerous questions and inquiries concerning pearls and their significance.
The second session titled “Intergenerational Learning and Exchanges” was chaired by Lauren Kata, Assistant Academic Librarian for Archives and Special Collections at NYU Abu Dhabi. This session featured talks by Mark Upton from the UK, Aya Al Hira from the UAE, and Hagar Faisal Amer from Egypt.
The third session titled ” Traditional Music: National Identity and Heritage” was moderated by Mr. Hamid Abdullah Al-Muzaini, and featured talks by Dr. Faisal Ibrahim Al-Tamimi from Qatar, Azhar Kubba from Iraq, and Rosa Maria Araujo from Brazil.
The fourth session focused on “Sustainability Trends: A View from Three Countries” and was moderated by Ms. Maitha Al Zaabi, Head of the Department of Oral History at the National Library and Archives. It included presentations by Dr. Mubarak Ben Belkasem Jaafari from Algeria, Professor Alistair Thompson from Australia, and Adrian Cain Darrow from the United States of America.
Finally, the conference wrapped up with the recommendations and a word of thanks to the participants and attendees.

On oral history, libraries and cultural affairs,

The National Library and Archives Organizes Activities to Enrich Knowledge Societies

The National Library and Archives has concluded the preparations for the Emirates International Oral History Conference.  It has also undertaken the requisite preparations for the Conference of Directors of National Libraries in Asia and Oceania (CDNLAO) Meeting, in conjunction with the Dubai International Library Conference 2024 (DILC), hosted by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Library. Additionally, it has been engaged in preparations for a workshop focusing on the role of the National Library and Archives within the cultural system.

These activities align with the NLA’s vision and mission, which aim to inspire, enable and enrich knowledge societies while preserving documentary heritage.

On November 11, 2024, the NLA is organizing the third edition of the Emirates International Oral History Conference at its headquarters, under the theme “Their Memory Our History: Methods of Sustainability and Knowledge Preservation in Oral History”. The conference is anticipated to bring together participants from eleven different countries around the world. It aims to establish strategic partnership that promotes integration and cooperation with Arab and international institutions and entities. Further, it offers new opportunities for communication, exchanging expertise and learning from successful experiences. It will also delve into the exploration of the most recent technologies, practices, publications, and methodologies in the realm of oral history, alongside effective preservation techniques. The conference topics are “Pearls: Enigmatic, Eclectic and Alluring”, “Traditional Music: National Identity and Heritage”, “Intergenerational Learning and Exchanges” and “Sustainability Trends: A View from Three Countries”.

On the other hand, the NLA welcomes participants to join the 30^th Conference of Directors of National Libraries in Asia and Oceania (CDNLAO), which will be held on November 16^th at the Mohammed Bin Rashid Library in Dubai. The conference will address a variety of subjects, such as the contribution of libraries to sustainable development objectives, deliberations and presentations from three unique national libraries globally, and an examination of their distinguished experiences. Furthermore, the conference will focus on green libraries, environmental sustainability, and the role of libraries in promoting societal knowledge on sustainability.

As part of its activities to enrich knowledge societies, the NLA is set to organize a workshop titled “The Role of the National Library and Archives in the Cultural System”, on November 19^th. The NLA held a series of preparatory meetings with relevant entities ahead of the workshop which aims to develop final charters for joint cultural initiatives. It is expected to discuss the relationship between documentary heritage and cultural heritage, focus on the cultural and societal role of the NLA, and align the NLA’s role with the vision of the Ministry of Culture, as well as the UAE Centennial 2071.

The workshop will explore and identify opportunities for collaboration with cultural, educational, and societal institutions across the nation. Furthermore, it will scrutinize potential partnerships with individuals who have a keen interest in history, heritage, culture, art, and literature, encompassing artists, writers, authors, and narrators. The objective is to leverage the experiences, resources, platforms, and knowledge provided by these institutions to enhance the cultural sector of the country. Moreover, the workshop seeks to bolster societal engagement in the preservation of cultural heritage through the development of cultural initiatives that underscore the NLA’s pivotal role, adhering to specific criteria. It will also promote innovation in cultural heritage projects and discuss the challenges of implementing sustainable cultural initiatives.