The UAE Government has introduced the ‘Emirati National Identity Strategy’ at the UAE Government Annual Meetings 2025 in Abu Dhabi. This strategy was a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Culture and the National Projects Office of the Presidential Court.
Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi, Minister of Culture, unveiled the strategy during a keynote address titled “Legacy and Responsibility.” He highlighted its vision and goals, marking a new era of unified government action to bolster the Emirati identity across various sectors.
An interactive exhibition called “Emirati National Identity: Legacy and Responsibility” was held over two days during the meetings to raise awareness about the Emirati identity’s values and components, encouraging the adoption of these principles in government and community settings.
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The strategy aims to reinforce a deeply-rooted Emirati identity aligned with the UAE leadership’s vision, embraced by society as a path to stability and prosperity. It underscores making the Emirati identity a cornerstone across all sectors and daily practices.
Objectives include enhancing national pride, strengthening family and social bonds, and elevating the UAE’s identity globally through international cooperation.
The strategy envisions a unified community for both UAE citizens and residents, promoting unity, harmony, and a shared sense of belonging.
It is anchored on three main pillars: defining the identity and its core values; establishing a strategic framework for its presence across sectors; and creating a governance model with a National Identity Index to ensure sustainability and impact.
Over 40 federal and local bodies from various sectors contributed to the strategy through workshops and brainstorming, defining the Emirati identity and values rooted in Islamic principles.
The Emirati identity is built on six core elements: Islamic values, Arabic language and dialect, the Union and homeland, heritage and traditions, history and geography, and the Emirati family as a foundation for instilling values in the young.
It also establishes five core values embodying the Emirati spirit: respect, ambition, belonging, cohesion, and generosity, all reflected in community service and support.
The strategy outlines seven dimensions to convey the national identity: language and culture, education, family and community, religion and coexistence, media, economy, and governance.
It includes 13 initiatives focusing on language, culture, education, media, and economy, such as integrating national identity into curricula and developing cultural activity guidelines.
Noteworthy initiatives include the “Nahj” program for community-based identity initiatives, “We Are the Children of Zayed,” and the Cultural Heritage Law.
An index will assess the national identity’s adoption through sentiment, awareness, and behavior analysis.
A National Identity Committee will oversee governance, empowering entities, and ensuring coordinated efforts within a unified framework.
Legacy and Responsibility
H.H. Sheikha Mariam bint Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan emphasized the Emirati identity’s pride and responsibility, reflecting the Emirati people’s spirit and national belonging.
She stated that the strategy embodies a lifestyle in homes, schools, and communities, expressed through language and authentic values that promote unity and cohesion.
She added that children are extensions of this identity, and efforts aim to inspire pride and love for their culture, ensuring they grow rooted in heritage and values.
The strategy represents a human framework uniting UAE citizens and residents through shared values of respect, coexistence, and belonging.
Leadership’s Vision
Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi stated that the strategy aligns with the leadership’s vision of nurturing value-oriented generations. It serves as a national framework transforming identity into a social practice.
The strategy ensures the Emirati identity as a legacy preserved and a future built together, embedding values in institutions to maintain a nation of coexistence and pride.
