UAE Marks First Union Pledge Day Honouring Its Legacy

Photo: WAM

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is celebrating the first anniversary of “Union Pledge Day” on 18th July. This day is very special for the country as it reminds everyone of the important steps taken by the founding fathers to bring the emirates together and build a strong nation. The day is about remembering the great vision of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and his brothers, the other Rulers, who worked together to make the UAE what it is today.

How Did The UAE Become One Nation?

On 2nd December 1971, the leaders of different emirates came together and declared the formation of the United Arab Emirates. They signed the UAE Constitution and gave the country its name. This was a big moment in history as it united the emirates and built a strong foundation for the country.

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To honour this historic achievement, President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan announced “Union Pledge Day” as a national occasion. The day is meant to remind people about the importance of loyalty to their homeland and to celebrate the UAE’s continued success and growth. It also aims to make people feel proud of their country and remember how it became so strong and respected around the world.

Why Is Union Pledge Day Important?

Union Pledge Day is important because it teaches everyone, especially the younger generation, about the sacrifices and efforts of the founding fathers. They worked hard to build a country that is peaceful, modern, and respected globally. This day helps people understand the steps taken to reach this success and keeps their love for their country strong.

President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed’s Message

In his first speech as President, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed told the people how proud he was of the nation’s achievements. He said,

“Today, we see our nation ranked among the most advanced nations globally, as well as being one of the best places to live and work. This was the vision of the late Sheikh Zayed and our founding fathers, and we thank God for this blessing. We will continue to follow their wise approach, drawing inspiration from their unfaltering leadership. Our history, identity, and cultural heritage will form an essential part of our plans for the future."

This message shows how the leaders of the UAE are committed to following the path shown by the founding fathers. They want to keep their culture and heritage alive while moving towards an even better future.

Sheikh Zayed’s Leadership and Vision

The late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan played a very big role in uniting the emirates. He became the first President of the UAE and worked day and night to make sure that people lived happily and peacefully. He believed in building schools, hospitals, and roads to improve people’s lives.

He also believed in working together with other countries and helping people in need. Because of his leadership, the UAE became the first federal state in the Arab world and started many development projects to improve the lives of its citizens.

Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed’s Empowerment Phase

After Sheikh Zayed, his son, the late Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, became the President in 2004. He led the country until 2022 and his period is known as the “empowerment phase.” During this time, he focused on making the country stronger by building better schools, hospitals, and institutions. He wanted citizens to take part in national development and have better opportunities.

Under his leadership, the UAE achieved great progress in different fields such as:

• Economy

• Education

• Health services

• Infrastructure

• Renewable energy

• Space exploration

During his time, the UAE became the second-largest economy in the Arab world. It was also the first Arab and Muslim country to reach Mars, which made every citizen proud.

Important Strategies And Plans Under Sheikh Khalifa

Sheikh Khalifa started many important plans to make the UAE stronger and better. Some of them were:

• Principles of the 50: To guide the country’s future for the next 50 years.

• UAE Vision 2021: To make the country among the best in the world by 2021.

• UAE Strategy for Government Services (2021–2025): To provide better services to citizens.

• UAE National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence: To become a leader in AI technologies.

• National Space Strategy 2030: To strengthen space exploration.

• Net Zero 2050 Strategy: To protect the environment and achieve zero carbon emissions by 2050.

UAE Under President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed

Since 2022, President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has been leading the country. Under his leadership, the UAE has continued to achieve success in many areas like:

• Economy

• Society

• Politics

• Development projects

The UAE continues to rank among the top countries in the world in different fields. The country is focusing on diversifying its economy by developing sectors such as tourism, trade, financial services, real estate, telecoms, and technology.

Recent Economic Achievements

The Central Bank of the UAE expects that the country’s real GDP will grow by 4.4 percent in 2025. This growth is mainly because of rising foreign investments and strong non-oil sectors.

In the first three months of 2025, the non-oil foreign trade of the UAE reached AED835 billion. The exports also reached a record AED177.3 billion during the same period.

Growth Over The Decades

The UAE’s economy has grown a lot in the last fifty years. In 1975, the country’s GDP was AED58.3 billion. Today, in 2024, it has reached AED17 trillion. Also, the foreign trade has grown from AED11.5 billion in 1975 to AED5.23 trillion in 2024.

2025 – The Year Of Community

In January, President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed declared 2025 as the “Year of Community.” The aim is to make sure that people from different generations remain connected and live in harmony. The government has also allocated AED27.9 billion, which is 39 percent of the federal budget, to social development. This shows that the UAE cares about the well-being and happiness of its people.

UAE’s Role In The World

Apart from its development, the UAE also helps other countries in need. Since it was formed, the UAE has provided AED368 billion as foreign aid to different countries, helping more than one billion people around the world. The country believes in peace, tolerance, and working together for the good of all.

Union Pledge Day is a day to remember how the UAE was built with hard work, unity, and the vision of great leaders. It is a day to feel proud of the journey the country has taken from its formation to becoming a strong, modern, and respected nation in the world. It reminds everyone to stay loyal to their homeland and work together for an even brighter future.