The United Arab Emirates celebrates Union Pledge Day on July 18 each year, commemorating a defining national milestone that laid the foundation for the establishment of the Union.<\/p>\n
On this day in 1971, the Founding Fathers gathered to sign the Declaration of Union and the Constitution of the country, while also announcing the official name of the United Arab Emirates. This marked the beginning of a national journey that, over the course of 55 years, has become a distinguished model of development, progress, and leadership.<\/p>\n
Union Pledge Day, established by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, may God protect him, is a national occasion to recall the vision of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may his soul rest in peace, and his fellow Founding Rulers, may God have mercy on them.<\/p>\n
Together, they made unity the foundation for building a nation capable of fulfilling the aspirations of its people and shaping its own future.<\/p>\n
The occasion also provides an opportunity to renew the pledge to continue the Union\u2019s journey, strengthen the values of loyalty, belonging, and national cohesion, and remain faithful to the legacy of the Founding Fathers, who laid the firm foundations of a nation built on unity, cooperation, and collective effort.<\/p>\n
Over the past decades, the United Arab Emirates has evolved from a young federal experiment into a country with an influential global presence.<\/p>\n
This progress has been guided by a comprehensive development vision whose foundations were laid by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may his soul rest in peace.<\/p>\n
The journey of development and prosperity 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 Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, may God protect him.<\/p>\n
The people of the UAE continue to play an active role in building a future defined by greater progress and prosperity.<\/p>\n
Throughout its journey, the country has relied on investing in people, developing institutions, building a diversified economy, and strengthening its ability to anticipate the future.<\/p>\n
These efforts have helped establish the UAE\u2019s position as one of the region\u2019s and the world\u2019s most advanced and competitive nations.<\/p>\n
The results recorded in 2026 highlight the expanding scale of the UAE\u2019s national achievements.<\/p>\n
The country ranked fifth globally in the 2026 World Competitiveness Ranking and retained its position as the leading country in the region for the tenth consecutive year.<\/p>\n
The UAE also ranked first globally in 21 indicators and placed among the world\u2019s top five countries in 67 indicators.<\/p>\n
These results reflect the strength of its economic and institutional environment, the efficiency of its government system, and its ability to continue advancing across a wide range of sectors.<\/p>\n
They also demonstrate the success of the UAE\u2019s development model, which is based on flexibility, efficiency, a supportive business and investment environment, and a strong commitment to innovation, competitiveness, and high-quality public services.<\/p>\n
On the economic front, the UAE\u2019s non-oil foreign trade reached a record level of more than AED 3.8 trillion in 2025, according to figures announced in January 2026.<\/p>\n
This represented growth of nearly 27 percent compared with 2024.<\/p>\n
Non-oil exports also exceeded AED 813 billion, recording growth of 45.5 percent.<\/p>\n
These figures reflect the continued expansion of the country\u2019s productive sectors and the growing presence of Emirati products in global markets.<\/p>\n
The results also demonstrate the success of the UAE\u2019s efforts to diversify its economy, strengthen international partnerships, expand the role of the private sector, and open new markets for national trade and exports.<\/p>\n
They further indicate that the UAE is making early progress toward the goals of the \u201cWe the UAE 2031\u201d vision, which seeks to enhance the competitiveness of the national economy and consolidate the country\u2019s position as a global hub for trade and investment.<\/p>\n
During 2026, the UAE continued to strengthen its approach to building bridges of solidarity and international cooperation.<\/p>\n
This approach is based on the belief that humanitarian action is a constant value within the country\u2019s national identity and one of the central elements of the legacy of the Founding Fathers.<\/p>\n
This vision has been reflected in the country\u2019s continued support for relief and development initiatives, its enhanced response to humanitarian crises, and the expansion of international partnerships aimed at protecting the most vulnerable communities.<\/p>\n
The UAE also continued to support efforts to provide essential needs to affected communities and contribute to projects in education, health care, food security, and development.<\/p>\n
These efforts reflect the country\u2019s active role in international initiatives aimed at achieving sustainable development and preserving human dignity.<\/p>\n
The UAE continues to maintain an active presence on the international stage, guided by an approach based on dialogue, cooperation, respect for the sovereignty of nations, and support for efforts to promote security, stability, and the peaceful resolution of disputes.<\/p>\n
Through its broad network of international relations and partnerships, the UAE plays an effective role in building bridges of understanding among countries and peoples and expanding opportunities for cooperation in addressing regional and global challenges.<\/p>\n
Through its policies and initiatives, the country continues to demonstrate that its soft power is a natural extension of the values of the Union.<\/p>\n
It also reflects the UAE\u2019s commitment to communication, cooperation, and constructive engagement with countries around the world.<\/p>\n
Through its model of tolerance, coexistence, openness, and respect for diversity, the UAE has become a bridge for dialogue and cultural understanding.<\/p>\n
Nearly 200 nationalities live in the country in an environment characterized by respect and harmony.<\/p>\n
This model reflects the values on which the Union was founded, particularly respect for people, the promotion of mutual understanding, and the strengthening of coexistence among different cultures and communities.<\/p>\n
This environment has also helped reinforce the UAE\u2019s position as a global destination for work, residence, and investment, as well as a society founded on the rule of law and respect for cultural and human diversity.<\/p>\n
In the fields of science, technology, and sustainability, the UAE continues to build on a series of significant achievements that reflect its ambitions for the future.<\/p>\n
The country is advancing its programs and projects in space exploration, the knowledge economy, artificial intelligence, and innovation.<\/p>\n
It also continues to support scientific research, develop national talent, and expand the use of advanced technologies across different sectors.<\/p>\n
These efforts contribute to greater competitiveness and improved quality of life.<\/p>\n
In the field of sustainability, the UAE continues to implement its climate and development targets by expanding clean and renewable energy projects and supporting the transition toward a more sustainable and resource-efficient economy.<\/p>\n
These pathways confirm that the achievements of the Union are no longer measured only by progress in infrastructure and the economy.<\/p>\n
They are also measured by the country\u2019s ability to create knowledge, develop solutions for the future, and transform national ambitions into projects and achievements with both local and global impact.<\/p>\n
The achievements made by the United Arab Emirates over the past 55 years reflect the success of the Union in building a modern nation with a competitive economy, advanced institutions, world-class infrastructure, and an active international presence.<\/p>\n
They also demonstrate the country\u2019s ability to continue developing, respond to change, and invest in future-focused sectors while preserving the national values on which the Union was founded.<\/p>\n
These achievements are an extension of the Union pledge that began with the determination of the Founding Fathers and is renewed today through a leadership vision that looks ahead and places people, development, and innovation at the center of national priorities.<\/p>\n
As the UAE recalls the moment of its founding on Union Pledge Day, it also affirms that the Union is not simply a memory from the past.<\/p>\n
It is a renewed covenant, an ongoing national responsibility, and a national project that continues to move confidently toward the decades ahead.<\/p>\n
The UAE continues its journey inspired by the legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may his soul rest in peace, and his fellow Founding Rulers, may God have mercy on them.<\/p>\n
It also builds on the national achievements made over the course of 55 years.<\/p>\n
The country remains guided by the vision of a leadership and a people who continue to write new chapters in the UAE\u2019s story, preserve its achievements, strengthen its position, and work toward a future of greater progress and prosperity.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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