The National Archives organized a virtual lecture on the Arabian Gulf documents in International Archives in the course of performing its distinguished role in disseminating culture through collecting and providing access to Arabian Gulf documents  

The Researcher, Dr. Saif Al Bedwawi, praised the distinguished role of the National Archives in preserving the memory of the nation, and bridging gaps between researchers or those interested  in historical records and documents on the history and heritage of the UAE, through providing easy access to these valuable treasures and holdings of its various archives, or of the AGDA website, (including hundreds of thousands of Historical documents and multimedia material relating to the history and heritage of the UAE and the Gulf region) available for Internet users as a scientific and cultural wealth that allows Researchers, Academics and all interested, easy access to utilize these documents and benefit from them.

The virtual lecture organized by the National Archives, entitled: "Arabian Gulf Documents in International Archives", by Researcher Dr. Saif Al Bedwawi reviewed the most important archives that preserve historical documents and records on the UAE and the Gulf region, and explained that these documents were initiated or created during the Portuguese, Dutch and British presence in the region, and the following stages; Many of these documents, whether typed or manuscript, shed light on contemporary local Arab affairs, and also provide important information on places, people, and events closely associated with and related to the modern United Arab Emirates.

The lecture pointed out that many of the Dutch and British companies’ records served to enrich and assert the documentary information and material the Portuguese left behind, as the Portuguese presence in the region lasted more than a century, and these records provide detailed description of the region’s society and system of government then, while Dutch documents are of particular importance and significance to the history of the UAE with their valuable information on various topics and issues relating to the region.

The British documents constitute an important reference and resource of modern UAE history, and many British circles hold huge amounts of documents on the United Arab Emirates conditions and aspects of life.

 The lecturer said: Although published documents greatly facilitated Researchers’ job and mission, they are not enough to satisfy the growing need for knowledge. It is certain that referring to unpublished documents of various sources will definitely add new dimensions and revelations, which should be the targeted objective and aspiration of researchers to enrich the UAE history.

The lecturer mentioned many archives, rich and loaded with documents on the UAE and the Gulf region, including: Goa Historical Archive in India, the Dutch Archives in The Hague, the British Archives, the British Royal Navy Archives, the British Library, British Petroleum (BP) Archive, and the Land Forces Museum, the British Forces Museum, the Imperial War Museum, and associations such as the Coastal Force Society, the American Mission Archives in New Jersey, and the Kuwait Studies and Research Center in Kuwait.

In addition to the National Archives, the lecturer mentioned the most important archives that preserve historical documents in other UAE Emirates, such as: Juma Al Majid Center for Culture and Heritage in Dubai, Dubai Municipality Archives, Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi Centre in Sharjah, Hamdan bin Mohammed Heritage Center, Sharjah Museums, Ajman Museum, and Umm Al Quwain Museum, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism and Culture Authority, Fujairah Culture and Media Authority, Bait Sheikh Saeed bin Hamad in Kalba, and some public and prominent citizens individually kept historical documents and records.