On December 2, 2025, the United Arab Emirates celebrated its 54th Eid Al Etihad (Union Day), marking the profound legacy established by its Founding Fathers in 1971. This annual commemoration serves not only as a moment of national pride, but also as a powerful affirmation of the nation’s continued commitment to unity, societal strength, and ambitious technological advancement, championed by leaders including His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and various members of the Supreme Council and Rulers. The national agenda for the coming year is strategically focused on reinforcing the foundational pillar of the society: the Emirati family.
The Enduring Vision of Unity
The observance of the 54th Union Day offers a critical backdrop to reflect on the unique success model pioneered by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum. Their vision created a singular entity in the Arab world, a journey from fledgling nation to global powerhouse. Contemporary leaders continue to draw inspiration from the fortitude and resolve of this pioneering generation, honoring their legacy by focusing intensely on national progress across all sectors.
Central to the next phase of national development is the declaration of 2026 as the Year of the Family, formally announced during the 7th UAE Government Annual Meetings in November. This initiative directly supports the National Family Growth Agenda 2031, underscoring the government’s belief that strong, thriving Emirati families are essential to cultivating national identity, protecting cultural values, and securing the nation’s future resilience. Despite the universal pressures of globalization, Emirati families remain the bedrock of society, consistently instilling strong moral and cultural values in their children.
Global Standing and Technological Leadership
The UAE’s achievements over the past year have cemented its high ranking in crucial global competitiveness and development indices. This stability is attributed to the effectiveness of national strategies, a robust economy, sophisticated regulatory frameworks, and unwavering security. These factors collectively contribute to a continually improving quality of life for all citizens and expatriate residents.
Beyond internal measures, the UAE maintains an impressive humanitarian profile, consistently recognized as the world’s largest aid donor relative to Gross National Income.
Simultaneously, the nation has aggressively pursued a leadership role in future technologies, particularly Artificial Intelligence (AI). The UAE was the first nation globally to adopt a comprehensive national AI strategy in 2017, appoint a ministerial post dedicated to the field, and introduce Chief AI Officers across federal departments. This forward-looking commitment has fostered international collaborations, established institutions like the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) in 2019, and embedded AI as a priority in both national planning and capacity building.
While the nation acknowledges the early stages of the global AI journey, these investments are already transforming infrastructure, education, government services, and private sector innovation.
Upholding Values for the Next Generation
The celebration of Eid Al Etihad reinforces the imperative to preserve national principles, traditions, and values, diligently passing them to the younger generation. The nation’s strength is derived from its capacity to transform ambitious goals into tangible realities, utilizing the nation’s rich talent pool.
Recognition was extended to the country’s armed forces, security agencies, and civil protection authorities, whose dedication ensures the UAE maintains its status as one of the safest urban environments worldwide. Immense pride was also directed at the nation’s youth, described as the promise of the future, who are engaging with global developments and excelling in highly specialized fields such as space science, nuclear energy, precision manufacturing, healthcare, and engineering. Their contributions are actively shaping a vibrant, scientific community that is essential for driving the nation forward.