On the occasion of the UAE golden jubilee, the National Archives presents the UAE history and civilization, through Etihad Airways, to the people of the world.

The National Archives- in cooperation with Etihad Airways - announced the launch of some cultural and educational travelers’ services, through providing Etihad Airways with reliable documented information on the glorious history and ancient heritage of the UAE. This contributes to promoting the UAE distinguished status globally, and comes in line with the sixth of the ten adopted principles of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE for the next fifty years.

These cultural and educational services include providing Abu Dhabi Airport’s business class lounges with its publications so travelers may enjoy their time learning about the history and heritage of the UAE.



On the occasion of the UAE Year of the 50th, Etihad Airways receives its travelers arriving to UAE on its flights with various memory of the nation postcards presented as a gift by the National Archives. The cards depict the UAE’s different cultural and historic development aspects. This comes in line with the National Archives' national role and mission to provide documented information to the general public.

The National Archives’ publications provide documented information that brief the public on the challenges faced by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and his brothers the Founding Fathers while striving to establish the Union and develop the UAE and its people. The UAE manifested civilization and prosperity is an irrefutable indication of the remarkable and overwhelming success they achieved in a record time.



The National Archives:

The National Archives of the UAE was initially established under the Ministry of Presidential Affairs in 1968 upon the directives of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, with the aim of collecting and documenting information on the history and heritage of the UAE and the Gulf region. Forty years after its inception, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, issued Federal Law No. 7 of 2008 changing its name to be the National Center for Documentation and Research, entrusted with organizing the UAE government entities’ archives. Later, its name was again changed to be the (National Archives) in accordance with Federal Law No. 1 of 2014 issued by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE.

In conjunction with the country's golden jubilee
The Archive and National Library presents the history and civilizations of the Emirates to the peoples of the world through Etihad Airways 

In conjunction with the UAE's Golden Jubilee celebrations, the Archives and the National Library, in cooperation with Etihad Airways, announced the launch of some educational services for travelers that would provide them with documented information about the UAE's glorious history and ancient heritage. The ten principles adopted by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State - may God protect him - for the next fifty years.
The educational services announced by the Archive and the National Library, in cooperation with Etihad Airways, are represented by providing a large number of its publications in the business class waiting lounges at Abu Dhabi Airport so that travelers can spend an enjoyable time learning about the history and heritage of the Emirates.
On the occasion of the fiftieth Union Day of the United Arab Emirates, Etihad Airways received those coming to the United Arab Emirates aboard its flights with a number of commemorative postcards from the nation’s memory (Post Cards), presented by the Archives and the National Library. So every traveler gets some cards as a gift - and the cards show aspects of the cultural and historical development of the United Arab Emirates.
Thus, this cooperation between the Archives, the National Library and Etihad Airways is capable of occupying the travelers’ time with what is interesting and useful, and enriching the knowledge of those interested in the UAE’s past and precious heritage. On board the "Etihad" are people from all over the world. These educational services work to consolidate the country's reputation, and they present the documented word and the expressive historical image to the traveler.
The Publications of the Archive and the National Library present - in a sober and sweet manner together - documented information that tells the challenges faced by the late - God willing - Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and his brothers, the founding fathers, while they were praising the edifice of the Union and working on building the human and the place, and they were able to achieve great success in A record time that was evident in the civilization and prosperity of the UAE.






Archive and National Library
The National Archives and Library of the United Arab Emirates at the Ministry of Presidential Affairs was established in 1968 based on the directives of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, God willing, with the aim of collecting and documenting everything related to the history and heritage of the United Arab Emirates and the Gulf region. Forty years after its founding, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan - may God protect him - issued Federal Law No. 7 of 2008, transforming it into the National Center for Documentation and Research, and entrusting it with the tasks of organizing the archives of government agencies in the United Arab Emirates. 1 of 2014 AD issued by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, may God protect him.

Numerics, Stamps and Exact Translation Other Windows for Documenting the Past
The Archives and the National Library reviews some methods of documenting the history and heritage of the Emirates

The Archives and the National Library organized three lectures on various topics within the framework of its awareness, educational and rehabilitation programme. The first was entitled: “Challenges of Historical Documentation of Coins”, the second: “History of Abu Dhabi Post 1963-1972”, and the third: “Translation Methods between Theory and Practice”. And based on its goals and mission, the Archive and the National Library aim through these lectures to open new windows on documenting the history and heritage of the Emirates, whether through coins, old stamps, or accurate translation.
The lecture "Challenges of Historical Documentation of Numismatics" - presented by Dr. Moataz Muhammad Othman, historian and researcher in the history of the Emirates - revolved around a number of axes, the most important of which are: the importance of money in the process of documentation, archiving and correcting history, the rich cultural resources available in the UAE, and the challenges facing researchers in narrating The history of the development of coins, and an overview of the history of the development of coins before and after the Islamic conquests... and others.
The lecture confirmed that coins reveal many details of civilizations because of the historical facts that testify to the time of their minting. For the sovereignty and influence of the Qawasim rulers over their land.
The lecture "History of Abu Dhabi Post 1963-1972" - presented by Eng. Khalid Ali Al-Ameera, President of the Emirates Philatelic Association - reviewed the most important issues of postage stamps in Abu Dhabi, and the seals that were used.
The lecture showed that at the end of December 1966, the British Post Office administration stopped operating the postal service in Abu Dhabi, and the Abu Dhabi government took over the postal administration since January 1, 1967.
The lecture touched on the opening of a post office branch in Al Ain, and reviewed with documented pictures the versions of the stamps that were decorated with pictures of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan - may God rest his soul in peace - and the issues of the first, second and third anniversary of the Sitting Day, and the issue of Expo 1970 AD.
In the lecture "Translation Methods between Theory and Practice", Prof. Siddig Johar, translation expert in the Archives and the National Library, spoke about some problems in translation, translation methods, and translation in the Arab world. He reviewed the names of some translators who have been victims of translation throughout history, and some translation dilemmas. On the importance of social tact in translation, citing some examples.








Archive and National Library
The National Archives and Library of the United Arab Emirates at the Ministry of Presidential Affairs was established in 1968 based on the directives of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, God willing, with the aim of collecting and documenting everything related to the history and heritage of the United Arab Emirates and the Gulf region. Forty years after its founding, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan - may God protect him - issued Federal Law No. 7 of 2008, transforming it into the National Center for Documentation and Research, and entrusting it with the tasks of organizing the archives of government agencies in the United Arab Emirates. 1 of 2014 AD issued by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, may God protect him.

مؤكداً مواصلة المسيرة في الخمسين عاماً القادمة
الأرشيف و المكتبة الوطنية يثري "ذاكرة الوطن" في مهرجان الشيخ زايد بالواقع الافتراضي

أثرى الأرشيف و المكتبة الوطنية منصة "ذاكرة الوطن" التي يشارك بها في مهرجان الشيخ زايد 2021-2022 بقسم خاص بالواقع الافتراضي VIRTUAL REALITY الذي يتيح للزائر فرصة الاطلاع على خمسة مشاريع حالية ومستقبلية رائدة؛ تؤكد أن دولة الإمارات العربية المتحدة تسير بخطى واثقة نحو الريادة والصدارة، وهي تبدأ الخمسين عاماً الجديدة في مسيرتها المظفرة.
ويعدّ قسم الواقع الافتراضي في منصة "ذاكرة الوطن" من أبرز الأقسام الجاذبة للزوار من مختلف الأعمار، إذ يقدم المعلومة الموثقة عن مشاريع مهمة تعمل دولة الإمارات العربية المتحدة على إنجازها، ويستطيع الزائر حالما يثبت النظارة الخاصة بهذه التقنية في رأسه وأمام عينيه أن يعيش لحظات ممتعة بين خمسة مشاريع مستقبلية هي: إكسبو 2020 في دبي، ومطار أبوظبي الجديد، ومتحف زايد الوطني، ومتحف جوجنهايم، وبيت العائلة الإبراهيمية، وهذه المشاريع الثلاثة الأخيرة في جزيرة السعديات بأبوظبي.
وقد اختار الأرشيف و المكتبة الوطنية هذه المشاريع لطابعها الوطني، وقيم إنسانية ومثالية، فمتحف زايد الوطني يروي سيرة المغفور له الشيخ زايد بن سلطان آل نهيان-طيب الله ثراه- ورحلة توحيده للدولة، وتاريخ المنطقة، وعلاقاتها الثقافية مع العالم، ويستعرض مراحل تطور الإمارات والتقدم السريع الذي شهدته في مختلف الميادين، ويطلع زوار المتحف على ثقافة وتاريخ دولة الإمارات العربية المتحدة، وقصة حياة الشيخ زايد مؤسس الدولة، ومصدر إلهامها وتقدمها.
وأما مطار أبوظبي الدولي الجديد الذي يعتمد نظام السفر الذكي فهو متحف في الهواء الطلق، وهو يشكل تجربة جديدة رائدة تستهدف إسعاد المسافرين.
ويجسد "بيت العائلة الإبراهيمية" -الذي يتوقع أن يكتمل بناؤه في عام 2022- فضيلة التسامح التي تمتاز بها دولة الإمارات العربية المتحدة، بوصفها بيئة ملائمة للتعايش والتآخي بين أبناء الديانات السماوية الثلاث.
ويعدّ متحف "جوجنهايم أبوظبي" منارة للفنون ومقراً للإبداع والابتكار، وهو من المتاحف الرائدة والأول من نوعه في المنطقة.
وقد أبهر إكسبو2020 دبي العالم بما فيه من أفكار وابتكارات، وقد شكّل هذا المعرض فرصة نموذجية لتبادل التجارب الناجحة والخبرات التي تمهد الطريق للعبور إلى المستقبل المنشود، ويمثل المعرض في جانبه الثقافي نافذة للاطلاع على حضارات العالم، ويحقق التقارب الفكري والثقافي بين الشعوب.

The National Archives enriches its "Memory of the Nation" platform at Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival with a virtual reality section, and stresses that it will resume its national march and role in the next fifty years.



The National Archives enriched its "Memory of the Nation" platform participating in Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival 2021-2022, with a special virtual reality section allowing visitors to view five of pioneering current and future projects which indicate that the UAE is progressing with steady and confident pace through its glorious march towards assuming its deserved leading and distinguished status in the next fifty years.

The virtual reality section at the "Memory of the Nation" platform is one of the most prominent sections that attract visitors of various age groups. It provides documented information about important projects that the United Arab Emirates is undertaking, and the visitor, using the virtual reality glasses can enjoy live pleasant moments learning about five future projects: Expo 2020 in Dubai, Abu Dhabi New Airport, Zayed National Museum, Guggenheim Museum, and the Abrahamic Family House, the last three of which are on Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi.

The National Archives chose these national projects for their ideal human values and national dimension. The Zayed National Museum recounts the biography of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and his glorious march towards the union of the UAE, the history of the Gulf region, and its international cultural relations with the world, it presents the UAE development stages and the rapid progress it witnessed in various fields. As for the new Abu Dhabi International Airport, which adopts smart travel system, it is an open air museum, and a leading new experience aiming at achieving travelers’ happiness.

The "Abrahamic Family House" - which construction is expected to be completed in 2022 – represents and reflects the UAE tolerance values, and favorable commendable environment of coexistence and fraternity between the three monotheistic religions’ people. The Guggenheim Abu Dhabi Museum is a beacon of art and a hub of creativity and innovation, it is one of the leading museums and the first of its kind in the region. Moreover, the Expo 2020 Dubai dazzled the world with its innovative ideas, it is an ideal opportunity to exchange experiences and expertise that pave the way towards the desired bright future, and is a window through which one learns about the world’s civilizations, and achieves intellectual and cultural rapprochement between the various people of the world

The National Archives Celebrates the World Arabic Language Day and tackles the Arabic language in education, media and digital content, and perceives its future. 

In celebration of the World Arabic Language Day, the National Archives organized a virtual seminar entitled: “The Arabic Language and Challenges of Language Competition in the Twenty-first Century.” aiming at highlighting the UAE’s interest in enhancing the Arabic language richness and distinct status as a key national identity component, and for its important role in promoting the values of loyalty and belonging to the homeland and its wise leadership, and in preserving the memory of the nation.

The seminar topics were presented in the form of questions posed by Dr. Seddik Gohar, the National Archives’ Translation Expert, and answered by Dr. Jamal Maqableh, Arabic Language Department at the United Arab Emirates University, and Dr. Aisha Al Shamsi, Head of Arabic Language and Emirati Studies program at the Higher Colleges of Technology in Al Ain.

The seminar interactively addressed a number of themes, most important of which are: the Arabic language limitations, and the relation between Classic, colloquial Arabic, and its various dialects. It indicated that it is a deep-rooted language that still develops and thrives, one of the six official languages of UNESCO and that there are over four hundred million Arabic speakers around the world.

The seminar revealed that Arabic language digital content is significantly limited in the era of digitization and digital content contemporary mechanisms and policies, since it is equivalent to only 3% of other digital content, even that of other least prevalent languages exceeds the Arabic digital content percentage, so to what shall we attribute this?!

The seminar attributed the limited Arabic content to the lack of support and funding for projects concerned with Arabic language and knowledge dissemination, and of Arabic online tools, and because much of the Arabic content is merely cut and paste ... etc.

The seminar stressed the UAE interest in Arabic language and in educational institutions, and praised the wise leadership's efforts to enhance the Arabic language status.

The participants noted that the academic report launched last December by the UAE Ministry of Culture and Youth upon the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum is considered an important reference for decision-makers; with its statistics and research shedding light on the importance of Arabic language and its future. The main report themes are: media and space, employing Arabic language in contemporary novels, Arabic language and technology, Arabic language and translation, using Arabic language in science and scientific research, university students attitudes and views in connection with Arabic language, Arabic language and other approaches, Arabic language and new world.

The seminar stated that 18 universities around the world, 23 Arab researchers, language institutions and academies, and many tech-companies participated in preparing this report. The seminar indicated that the Arabic language is expected to internationally rank fourth in 2025, and according to a French scolar there are currently 7000 languages in the world, only fifty of which are expected to survive and last in the third millennium, Arabic shall be one of them as an ancient widespread international heritage language. When European universities were established in 1490, there was an old historic saying that “ whoever wants to study medicine and science must master Arabic language since it is the language of science and education.

The seminar stressed the need to enhance Arabic language status in education, media, development and Education, and that can only be achieved through developing visions and policies, and supporting creativity and creative reading.

The National Archives stresses the importance of its cooperation with New York University, Abu Dhabi to enrich the “Arabic Collections online” project with rare Arabic books. 

The National Archives stressed the importance of cooperation with New York University, Abu Dhabi within the framework of enriching the "Arabic Collections online available to internet users on the project’s platform on New York university's website. In this context, the National Archives presented to the University a collection of rare Arabic books from its Emirates Library, selected by experts of this field. The National Archives' participation in this project came as part of a series of participations in many projects promoting cultural diplomacy and cooperation in local, Arab and international projects promoting the dissemination of world heritage thought, and contributing to making it accessible and available to readers.

In the first phase of the project, the National Archives presented to New York University, Abu Dhabi a list of 112 rare books, with various titles and topics, and made digital copies of 90 books, 65 of which were available on the university's website, and work is still underway to publish the rest.

 On this project, His Excellency Abdullah Majid Al Ali, Acting Director General of the National Archives, said: The cooperation between the National Archives and New York University, Abu Dhabi aims to allow researchers around the world access to rare and valuable books to enrich scientific and academic research and knowledge activities.

The National Archives digitizes the rare Arabic books selected from its Emirates Library according to recognized international standards to send them to New York University, Abu Dhabi to avail researchers and readers using its website access to them.

H.E. added: The selected books are among the world’s rare books, and are not available to the "Arab Online Collections" project participating parties. We believe that the accessibility to such rare Arabic books on NYU, Abu Dhabi’s website platform contributes to saving beneficiaries’ time, money and efforts. His Excellency stressed that these rare valuable Arabic books are the nucleus of the National Archives’ Emirates Library’s digital material repository, which is being accomplished to be accessible to interested parties, and pointed out that this international project has gained the National Archives’ Technical



Specialists great experience in rare books digitization and accessibility according to highest quality standards.

Regarding the importance of the "Arabic Collections online" project, and the National Archives' cooperation with New York University, Abu Dhabi - Ron Berry, Senior Director of the University Library, said: "The New York University, Abu Dhabi Library is proud of its fruitful partnership with the National Archives and their joint efforts to provide access to this project’s various books and resources. That project goes a few years back and witnessed a high-level cooperation and valuable contributions from the National Archives.” It is noteworthy that the Emirates Library at the National Archives includes a large number of valuable rare books whose rarity is attributed either to their very old publishing dates, being out of  Libraries’ stock, or their distinct subjects. The library plans to digitize these books in the future to preserve them as an intellectual wealth of invaluable scientific value.









The National Archives:



The National Archives of the United Arab Emirates was established under the Ministry of Presidential Affairs in 1968 upon the directives of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, with the aim of collecting and documenting information relating to the history and heritage of the United Arab Emirates and the Gulf region. Forty years after its inception, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE issued Federal Law No. 7 of 2008 transforming its name to be the National Center for Documentation and Research, entrusted with organizing UAE government entities’ archives. Later, the name was again changed to be the National Archives in accordance with Federal Law No. 1 of 2014 issued by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

The National Library and Archives stresses the importance of its cooperation with New York University, Abu Dhabi to enrich the “Arabic Collections online” project with rare Arabic books. 

The National Library and Archives stressed the importance of cooperation with New York University, Abu Dhabi within the framework of enriching the "Arabic Collections online available to internet users on the project’s platform on New York university's website. In this context, the National Library and Archives presented to the University a collection of rare Arabic books from its Emirates Library, selected by experts of this field. The National Library and Archives' participation in this project came as part of a series of participations in many projects promoting cultural diplomacy and cooperation in local, Arab and international projects promoting the dissemination of world heritage thought, and contributing to making it accessible and available to readers.
In the first phase of the project, the National Library and Archives presented to New York University, Abu Dhabi a list of 112 rare books, with various titles and topics, and made digital copies of 90 books, 65 of which were available on the university's website, and work is still underway to publish the rest.
 On this project, His Excellency Abdullah Majid Al Ali, Acting Director General of the National Library and Archives, said: The cooperation between the National Library and Archives and New York University, Abu Dhabi aims to allow researchers around the world access to rare and valuable books to enrich scientific and academic research and knowledge activities.
The National Library and Archives digitizes the rare Arabic books selected from its Emirates Library according to recognized international standards to send them to New York University, Abu Dhabi to avail researchers and readers using its website access to them.
H.E. added: The selected books are among the world’s rare books, and are not available to the "Arab Online Collections" project participating parties. We believe that the accessibility to such rare Arabic books on NYU, Abu Dhabi’s website platform contributes to saving beneficiaries’ time, money and efforts. His Excellency stressed that these rare valuable Arabic books are the nucleus of the National Library and Archives’ Emirates Library’s digital material repository, which is being accomplished to be accessible to interested parties, and pointed out that this international project has gained the National Library and Archives’ Technical

Specialists great experience in rare books digitization and accessibility according to highest quality standards.
Regarding the importance of the "Arabic Collections online" project, and the National Library and Archives' cooperation with New York University, Abu Dhabi - Ron Berry, Senior Director of the University Library, said: "The New York University, Abu Dhabi Library is proud of its fruitful partnership with the National Library and Archivesand their joint efforts to provide access to this project’s various books and resources. That project goes a few years back and witnessed a high-level cooperation and valuable contributions from the National Library and Archives.” It is noteworthy that the Emirates Library at the National Library and Archives includes a large number of valuable rare books whose rarity is attributed either to their very old publishing dates, being out of  Libraries’ stock, or their distinct subjects. The library plans to digitize these books in the future to preserve them as an intellectual wealth of invaluable scientific value.

The National Library and Archives:

The National Library and Archives of the United Arab Emirates was established under the Ministry of Presidential Affairs in 1968 upon the directives of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, with the aim of collecting and documenting information relating to the history and heritage of the United Arab Emirates and the Gulf region. Forty years after its inception, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE issued Federal Law No. 7 of 2008 transforming its name to be the National Center for Documentation and Research, entrusted with organizing UAE government entities’ archives. Later, the name was again changed to be the National Library and Archives in accordance with Federal Law No. 1 of 2014 issued by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Chaired by Hamad Al-Midfaa

The National Archives’ Board of Directors emphasizes the importance of preserving the documentary heritage and making it available to future generations. 

The National Archives’ Board of Directors held its first meeting at its headquarters following the formation of the new board chaired by His Excellency Hamad bin Abdul Rahman Al-Midfaa.

On this occasion, the Chairman of the Board of Directors extended their warmest greetings to the UAE’s wise leadership and people on the 50th Anniversary of the Union, stressing that the major achievements made locally and internationally at this stage enhance the UAE's status, as it maintains its rank in the top 10 for the fifth consecutive year in the Global Competitiveness Reports  2021. His Excellency also wished the UAE’s leadership and people more success and accomplishments in the next 50 years.

H.E. Hamad Al-Midfaa reiterated the firm commitment of the National Archives to carrying out its national mission in the next phase with excellence, under its competent and professional management, guided by the wise leadership’s vision and the ten national principles adopted by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan for the next 50 years.

H.E. Al-Midfaa stressed that the National Archives will continue to collaborate with federal and local bodies as it fulfils its role in collecting the memory of the nation using the latest technologies, making it available and preserving it for generations, in accordance with the words of His Highness Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan: "The preservation of documents for future generations is an important manifestation of the sovereignty and development of the state."

It is worth noting that the chairman of the National Archives’ new Board of Directors is His Excellency Hamad Abdul Rahman Al Midfaa, and members of the board are His Excellency Muhammad Ahmad Al-Murr, His Excellency Abdullah Muhammad Alraisi, His Excellency Ahmed Alhajj Abdullah Al-Habroush, His Excellency Abdullah Salah Al Maghribi, His Excellency Saoud Abdul Aziz Al-Hosani, Ms. Nawal Othman Al-Shehhi, and His Excellency Abdullah Majid Al Ali, Acting Director General of the National Archives (rapporteur of the board).



At their meeting, the National Archives’ board members praised the accomplishments of the National Archives in preserving the memory of the nation, the proper national upbringing of younger generations, and the promotion of belonging to the homeland and loyalty to wise leadership. They also commended the National Archives’ staff and administration for their efforts and outstanding performance.

The board members discussed the final report, the performance reports, the agenda, and the future projects, notably the National Library and the National Archives merger,  as the library represents an intellectual archive  which records the UAE’s literature and intellectual production, protects it from damage and loss,  and makes it available to the public and future generations, which lies at the core of the National  Archives’ objectives . This resolution is not only a privilege, but it also denotes a responsibility and duty, and reflects the wise leadership’s full trust in the National Archives.

The board underscored the importance of qualifying the new generation to head confidently and capably towards the next fifty years, which requires bearing the responsibility to maintain the National Archives on a par with the major archives in the developed countries conforming with the UAE’s leading rank in the world. It also noted that this trend in the long-term plan drawn up by the leadership calls for concerted efforts and teamwork driven by national pride.





Caption: Al-Midfaa chairs the meeting of the National Archives’ Board of Directors

Chaired by Hamad Al-Midfaa
The National Library and Archives’ Board of Directors emphasizes the importance of preserving the documentary heritage and making it available to future generations. 

The National Library and Archives’ Board of Directors held its first meeting at its headquarters following the formation of the new board chaired by His Excellency Hamad bin Abdul Rahman Al-Midfaa.
On this occasion, the Chairman of the Board of Directors extended their warmest greetings to the UAE’s wise leadership and people on the 50th Anniversary of the Union, stressing that the major achievements made locally and internationally at this stage enhance the UAE's status, as it maintains its rank in the top 10 for the fifth consecutive year in the Global Competitiveness Reports  2021. His Excellency also wished the UAE’s leadership and people more success and accomplishments in the next 50 years.
H.E. Hamad Al-Midfaa reiterated the firm commitment of the National Library and Archives to carrying out its national mission in the next phase with excellence, under its competent and professional management, guided by the wise leadership’s vision and the ten national principles adopted by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan for the next 50 years.
H.E. Al-Midfaa stressed that the National Library and Archives will continue to collaborate with federal and local bodies as it fulfils its role in collecting the memory of the nation using the latest technologies, making it available and preserving it for generations, in accordance with the words of His Highness Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan: "The preservation of documents for future generations is an important manifestation of the sovereignty and development of the state."
It is worth noting that the chairman of the National Library and Archives’ new Board of Directors is His Excellency Hamad Abdul Rahman Al Midfaa, and members of the board are His Excellency Muhammad Ahmad Al-Murr, His Excellency Abdullah Muhammad Alraisi, His Excellency Ahmed Alhajj Abdullah Al-Habroush, His Excellency Abdullah Salah Al Maghribi, His Excellency Saoud Abdul Aziz Al-Hosani, Ms. Nawal Othman Al-Shehhi, and His Excellency Abdullah Majid Al Ali, Acting Director General of the National Library and Archives (rapporteur of the board).

At their meeting, the National Library and Archives ’ board members praised the accomplishments of the National Library and Archives in preserving the memory of the nation, the proper national upbringing of younger generations, and the promotion of belonging to the homeland and loyalty to wise leadership. They also commended the National Library and Archives’ staff and administration for their efforts and outstanding performance.
The board members discussed the final report, the performance reports, the agenda, and the future projects, notably the National Library and the National Library and Archives merger,  as the library represents an intellectual archive  which records the UAE’s literature and intellectual production, protects it from damage and loss,  and makes it available to the public and future generations, which lies at the core of the National  Archives’ objectives . This resolution is not only a privilege, but it also denotes a responsibility and duty, and reflects the wise leadership’s full trust in the National Library and Archives.
The board underscored the importance of qualifying the new generation to head confidently and capably towards the next fifty years, which requires bearing the responsibility to maintain the National Library and Archives on a par with the major archives in the developed countries conforming with the UAE’s leading rank in the world. It also noted that this trend in the long-term plan drawn up by the leadership calls for concerted efforts and teamwork driven by national pride.


Caption: Al-Midfaa chairs the meeting of the National Library and Archives’ Board of Directors

On the 50th UAE National Day
The National Library and Archives participates in exhibitions of historical photographs documenting the establishment of the Union and the development of the UAE.

Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the UAE Union, and showing patriotism and role in promoting the spirit of belonging to the nation and loyalty to its wise leadership, the National Library and Archives organized a number of  historical photo exhibitions that feature  the role of the Founder and Builder, the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al-Nahyan and his fellow founding fathers in the establishment of the Union, and the role of wise leadership that followed their approach to the renaissance, development and prosperity of the UAE.
The exhibitions organized by the National Library and Archives came in collaboration with a large number of official bodies including the Isnaad Department, the Emirates School Establishment, the Sheikh Zayed Desert Learning Centre in Al Ain, Al Ain Sports Club, Al Ain Distribution Company, Ghantoot Club, and the Sharjah Roads and Transport Authority.
All exhibitions were keen to highlight the bright image of the UAE's establishment, renaissance and openness to other cultures, as well as its tireless efforts to build and strengthen friendships with various countries, to nurture Sheikh Zayed's values and exploits in the hearts of generations, and to underscore the UAE’s history, and the ideal model represented by the UAE’s leadership in building and improving the country and the people.
These exhibitions, which witnessed a large turnout from the participants in the celebrations, introduced visitors to the National Library and Archives’ role in collecting the history of the country, preserving it for the next generations and making it available to researchers and users. The historical photographs displayed in the exhibitions are part of the holdings of the Historical Photographs Archive and the Presidential Archive which document the UAE’s history.
The exhibitions organized by the National Library and Archives on these national occasions introduce citizens to their history, and to Sheikh Zayed’s wisdom, exploits, national values from which he set out to build the Union and secure the prominent position which the UAE attains in the world.