The Emirati family is the first line of defense for our culture, values ​​and identity

Yesterday, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, may God protect him, witnessed a session on the “National Agenda for Family Growth 2031,” which was held within the annual meetings of the UAE government, in its 2025 session, in the capital, Abu Dhabi, with the participation of leaders and officials from federal and local authorities.

His Highness also directed that the year 2026 be designated as the “Year of the Family,” in order to enhance the goals of the national agenda for the growth of the Emirati family, in addition to strengthening the awareness of the UAE community, including citizens and residents, of the importance of maintaining family cohesion and the strong family relationships that bring family members together, as they are the basic pillar on which a strong and prosperous society is built, in addition to their role in instilling the authentic values ​​of cooperation, communication, and harmony that characterize Emirati society, and transmitting them to future generations to preserve and continue them.

In the framework of working to achieve the national agenda, a national working group was formed that includes more than 20 federal and local government agencies concerned with the issue of family growth, by focusing on three tracks that include: “policies and programs,” “behavioral interventions,” and “reproductive health.” The first track is concerned with reviewing current policies and programs that affect family growth directly or indirectly, while the second track focuses on understanding the behavioral and social drivers of family growth, through field interviews with Emirati families in various regions of the country. The third path is to review current reproductive health initiatives and understand the challenges they face in order to address them.

On this occasion, His Highness the President emphasized that the growth of the Emirati family is related to our existence, our identity, the future of our homeland, and our national security.

His Highness added that its growth represents a national priority, as the family, its stability and strength are a fundamental pillar of the nation’s stability and prosperity in the long term. His Highness referred to the saying of the founding father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may God rest his soul, that “the family is the foundation of any strong society.”

His Highness said in his intervention during the session: “Based on awareness of the importance of the family, the Ministry of Family was established to develop national strategies that enhance its growth on the one hand, and its role in society by consolidating values, national identity and education, along with traditions and customs on the other hand,” His Highness stressed that the Emirati family is the first line of defense in order to preserve our culture, values ​​and identity.

His Highness stressed that facing the challenges of family growth is not limited to the Ministry of Family only, but rather is a collective responsibility that requires the participation and coordination of all components of the national system, from government agencies to the private sector and society as a whole.

In this context, the “Years of the Emirates” initiative, since its inception in 2015, continues its role in connecting everyone who considers the Emirates their homeland to national priorities, and inspiring collective action and positive behavior through local storytelling. During the Year of the Family in 2026, the initiative aims to support the status of the family, and enhance its growth and continuity, as it is the basic pillar of society and the basis of its prosperity.

His Highness stressed the need for all sectors, from health to education, housing, economy, media, and others, to play their role in this regard, by supporting the state’s initiatives and plans, and enhancing awareness of the importance of the family in the national discourse, and among members of society.

His Highness added that family growth is vital to our present and future, and through cooperation, teamwork, awareness and shared responsibility, we can achieve our goals, in a way that serves society and the Emirati national identity.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan said, in a blog post on his official account on the “X” platform, yesterday: “Today (yesterday) I attended part of the annual meetings of the UAE government, where we approved the National Agenda for Family Growth 2031, as a long-term strategic vision and a national reference for dealing with this vital issue for our present and future. The family is a fundamental pillar of the nation’s strength and prosperity. Therefore, its growth, stability, and effectiveness are a shared responsibility and an urgent priority to maintain the sustainability of society. The future of the Emirates that we are working for now begins with the family, because through it generations are built, and through it we preserve our culture, values ​​and identity.”

The session was attended by His Highness Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, His Highness Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman, Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Advisor to His Highness the President.

It was also attended by Her Highness Sheikha Maryam bint Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President of the Council for Education, Human Development and Society, Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), Minister of the Family, Sanaa bint Mohammed Suhail, and a number of sheikhs, ministers, senior officials and those concerned with the subject of the family and its development.

Head of State:

• The future of the Emirates begins with the family, through which generations are built, and through which we preserve our culture, values ​​and identity.

• The Emirati family is a national priority, and its growth is related to our existence, our identity, the future of our nation, and our national security.

• We approved the National Family Growth Agenda 2031, as a strategic vision and national reference for our present and future.