Daijiworld Media Network – Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi, Nov 7: At the 2025 UAE Government Annual Meetings held in Abu Dhabi, the UAE Government unveiled the Emirati National Identity Strategy, a nationwide initiative aimed at reinforcing Emirati values and national pride among citizens and residents. The strategy, developed by the Ministry of Culture in collaboration with the National Projects Office of the Presidential Court, was announced by Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi, Minister of Culture.

The announcement came during the session titled “Legacy and Responsibility,” attended by H.H. Sheikha Mariam bint Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairperson of the Presidential Court for National Projects; H.H. Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority; and H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

An interactive exhibition, “Emirati National Identity: Legacy and Responsibility,” was also showcased, highlighting the cultural and ethical foundations of the Emirati identity and encouraging officials to incorporate these values in governance and community engagement.

The strategy, developed through consultations with over 40 federal and local entities, is built on three pillars — defining the national identity and its core components, establishing a strategic framework to embed it across all sectors, and creating a National Identity Index and governance model to measure progress.

The Emirati identity is defined through six cultural elements — Islamic values, the Arabic language, the Union and homeland, heritage and traditions, history and geography, and the Emirati family. It also emphasizes five key human values — respect, ambition, belonging, cohesion, and generosity — which represent the spirit of the nation.

The plan includes 13 initiatives covering education, culture, media, family, and economy, such as integrating identity themes into curricula, creating a Media Code of Conduct, and establishing the Cultural Heritage Law and National Cultural Heritage Registry. Programs like “We Are the Children of Zayed” and “Nahj” aim to foster unity and cultural pride at the grassroots level.

To track implementation, a National Identity Committee will oversee coordination among government bodies, ensuring sustainability and measurable outcomes through the National Identity Index.

Speaking at the launch, Sheikha Mariam bint Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan described the Emirati identity as “a legacy we take pride in and a responsibility we carry in our hearts.” She underscored the role of families in nurturing pride and belonging among future generations, saying, “Our children are the natural extension of our identity.”

Echoing her remarks, Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi said the strategy transforms the UAE’s values into tangible practices: “The Emirati identity is both a past we preserve and a future we build together.”

He emphasized that the initiative will keep the UAE a global model of coexistence, cultural pride, and shared national belonging.