The Federation of the Emirates…a renewed era and a journey strengthened by the achievements of 55 years

Abu Dhabi, 17 July / WAM / The UAE celebrates “Union Era Day”, which falls on July 18 of each year, in commemoration of a historical milestone that laid the foundation for the establishment of the Union State, when the founding fathers met in 1971, signed the Union Document and the State Constitution, and announced the official name of the United Arab Emirates, marking the launch of a national process that has become, over the course of 55 years, a global model in construction, development and leadership.

Union Covenant Day, which was adopted by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, may God protect him, embodies a national occasion to recall the vision of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may God rest his soul, and his fellow founding rulers, may God have mercy on them, who made unity a basis for building a nation capable of achieving ambitions and creating the future. This day also represents an occasion to renew the pledge to continue the path of the Union, and to enhance the values of loyalty, belonging and cohesion. Patriotic, and faithful to the legacy of the founding fathers.

Over the past decades, the UAE has transformed from a young federal experience into a country with an influential global presence, based on an integrated development vision led by the late Sheikh Zayed, and continued during the era of the late Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, may God have mercy on him, and continues today under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, may God protect him, and with the active participation of the nation’s people in shaping a more advanced and prosperous future.

The indicators of 2026 confirm the breadth of national gains. The UAE came in fifth place globally in global competitiveness for the year 2026, and maintained its lead regionally for the tenth year in a row. It also topped 21 global indicators, and came among the top five countries globally in 67 indicators, which reflects the strength of its economic and institutional environment and its ability to continue development.

In the economic field, the country’s non-oil foreign trade recorded during the year 2025, according to data announced in January 2026, a record level exceeding 3.8 trillion dirhams, with a growth of approximately 27% compared to 2024, while non-oil exports exceeded 813 billion dirhams, achieving a growth of 45.5%.

These results embody the success of economic diversification trends, strengthening international partnerships and the private sector, and the country’s early approach to achieving the goals of the “We Are the Emirates 2031” strategy.

On the humanitarian level, during the year 2026, the UAE has consolidated its approach to building bridges of solidarity and international cooperation, based on its belief that humanitarian work is an established value in its national identity and one of the basic components of the legacy of the founding fathers.

This vision was embodied in the state continuing to support relief and development initiatives, strengthening its response to humanitarian crises, and expanding the scope of international partnerships aimed at protecting the most needy groups, which reflects the UAE’s active presence in global efforts aimed at achieving sustainable development and preserving human dignity.

The UAE continues its significant presence in the international scene, based on an approach based on dialogue, cooperation, respect for the sovereignty of states, and support for efforts aimed at enhancing security and stability and settling disputes by peaceful means.

Thanks to its network of partnerships and international relations, the UAE plays an active role in building bridges of understanding between countries and peoples, and enhancing opportunities for cooperation in facing global challenges, confirming that its soft power represents an authentic extension of the values ​​of the Union.

Thanks to its model based on tolerance, coexistence, openness and respect for diversity, the UAE has become a bridge for dialogue and rapprochement between cultures, and a global model for a society in which about 200 nationalities coexist in a framework of respect and harmony.

In the fields of science, technology and sustainability, the UAE is moving forward in accumulating its qualitative achievements that reflect its ambition for the future. It continues its ambitious programs and projects in space exploration, developing the knowledge economy, and enhancing the artificial intelligence and innovation system, in addition to implementing its climate and development goals by expanding clean energy projects and transitioning to a more sustainable economy.

These paths confirm that the Union’s achievements are no longer measured only by what has been achieved in infrastructure and the economy, but also by the state’s ability to create knowledge, develop solutions for the future, enhance the quality of life, and transform national ambitions into projects and achievements with a global impact.

All of these achievements come as an extension of the “Union Era,” which began with the will of the Founding Fathers, and is renewed today with a leadership vision that anticipates the future and places people, development, and innovation at the core of priorities.

While the Emirates, on the “Era of the Union” day, recalls the moment of its founding, it confirms at the same time that the Union is not a memory from the past, but rather a renewed era and continuing responsibility, and a national project that is moving forward with confidence towards its future decades, based on the legacy of Zayed, the achievements of the founding fathers, and the ambition of a leadership and people who continue to write new chapters of the UAE’s story.

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