Mohammed Saeed Al Shehhi, Vice Chairman of the UAE National Media Authority, issued a statement marking Union Pledge Day in which he underlined the occasion’s significance in reinforcing the country’s foundational values and forward-looking ambitions. The National Media Authority official connected the annual commemoration to the broader objective of sustaining the UAE’s trajectory of development across economic, social and cultural domains. According to a report by the Emirates News Agency, Al Shehhi positioned the day as an opportunity for citizens to reflect on achievements while recommitting to the principles that have guided the federation since its inception.
Union Pledge Day commemorates the historic meeting on July 18, 1971, when the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and rulers of other emirates signed the declaration that paved the way for the United Arab Emirates’ formation, the Abu Dhabi Media Office has documented. Six emirates initially joined under that pledge, with Ras Al Khaimah following in 1972, setting the stage for the formal establishment on December 2, 1971. In 2024 President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan designated the date as a national occasion to honour those foundational steps, a move that has since integrated the observance into the country’s calendar of unifying events.
The Vice Chairman’s remarks align with the UAE’s long-term vision documents that have driven diversification beyond oil, including initiatives in renewable energy, technology and space exploration. Central Statistical Bureau data from recent years places the non-oil sector’s contribution to GDP above 70 percent, reflecting sustained structural shifts since the union’s early decades when the economy relied heavily on hydrocarbon resources. Al Shehhi’s comments, distributed through official channels, emphasised how such national days strengthen collective resolve to maintain this momentum.
Public participation in Union Pledge Day activities has grown since its formal recognition, with government entities, schools and community organisations hosting events that blend historical education and future-oriented discussions. The Ministry of Education has incorporated modules on the 1971 pledge into national curricula, ensuring younger generations understand the context of the union’s creation. Figures from federal authorities show increased engagement in related cultural programmes, which officials link to heightened national identity awareness.
Al Shehhi’s statement also touched on the role of media in documenting and disseminating the narratives of unity and progress that define the UAE’s global standing. As a former Secretary-General of the Emirates Media Council, he has advocated for content that supports economic growth and talent development, according to profiles maintained by the National Media Authority. His observations on this occasion reiterated the interplay between historical milestones and contemporary aspirations for a knowledge-based economy.
Regional benchmarks illustrate the UAE’s advancement, with International Monetary Fund assessments noting consistent positive growth rates that have positioned the country as a hub for investment and innovation in the Gulf. The pledge day’s focus on renewal comes amid ongoing projects under the UAE Centennial 2071 plan, which aims to secure leadership in science, technology and sustainability for future generations. Al Shehhi’s message, as carried by the Emirates News Agency, framed the commemoration as both a look backward at the founders’ vision and a call to advance it further.
