National Library and Archives Unveils Charter for Protecting Government Documents

Photo: Abu Dhabi Media Office

The National Library and Archives (NLA) has introduced a new Charter for Government Documents Protection to help preserve important records and stop them from being lost, leaked, or mishandled. This charter also focuses on the protection of digital documents in government offices, stressing how vital it is to keep these records safe.

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After launching the charter, the NLA shared it with key people in government, including undersecretaries, assistant undersecretaries, and general directors in ministries, authorities, councils, and institutions that manage valuable records. The goal is to make sure these officials are committed to protecting documents, keeping information safe, and maintaining the privacy of any data they handle.

The new charter explains how important it is to keep documents confidential, not remove them from government control, and ensure they are transferred correctly when an employee moves or leaves their job. It also says that documents cannot be destroyed unless the NLA agrees. Furthermore, the charter requires that digital records be stored in an electronic system, following the rules of Federal Law No. 7 of 2008, which applies to the NLA.

Abdullah Majed Al Ali, the Director General of the NLA, explained that government archives are a national responsibility. He stressed that the NLA plays an important role in preserving these historical records, especially those related to the UAE and the Gulf region, by using the best available technologies. These records are an essential part of the country’s history.

He also mentioned that the NLA’s work starts only after a document has been deemed important and is ready for long-term preservation. At this point, the NLA takes over the task of keeping the document safe for the future. The Director General emphasized that the new charter shows the NLA’s commitment to protecting the country’s history for future generations. He hopes that government organizations will follow the charter’s rules and work together to keep these important documents accessible and well-preserved.

The Director General added that these records are more than just papers—they are invaluable treasures that help tell the story of the country’s past and present. To protect these treasures, the NLA is also using new technology, including artificial intelligence, to help manage and preserve documents in both physical and digital forms.

The charter also outlines the need to treat public documents as valuable property. It encourages each government agency to develop its own rules for handling documents, including making inventories, deciding how to preserve them, and how to dispose of them when needed. The NLA also highlighted how crucial it is to take action when documents are at risk of being damaged. By reporting such issues quickly, it becomes possible to prevent destruction and restore the documents.

This new approach shows the NLA’s dedication to preserving the UAE's documentary heritage and ensuring that these documents are kept safe and secure for future generations.