UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan joined a special gathering of men and women who stood alongside the country’s founding leadership at the moment the Union was proclaimed in 1971, marking a symbolic tribute to those who witnessed the birth of the federation.
The event brought together individuals who were present when the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and fellow rulers signed the agreement that established the United Arab Emirates on 2 December 1971. The reunion served both as a commemoration of that historic milestone and as a reaffirmation of the leadership’s commitment to preserving the legacy of the founding generation.
Sheikh Mohamed engaged with attendees in what officials described as a gesture of appreciation for their role, whether direct or indirect, in supporting the formation of the Union. Many of those present were civil servants, advisers, security personnel and community figures who contributed to the early administrative and institutional groundwork that followed the declaration of federation. The President paid tribute to their dedication during a period marked by rapid transformation across the Trucial States.
Federation in 1971 unified Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain and Fujairah, with Ras Al Khaimah joining in February 1972. Under Sheikh Zayed’s leadership as the first President, the newly formed state embarked on an ambitious programme of nation-building, investing oil revenues in infrastructure, healthcare, education and housing. Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai served as Vice President and Prime Minister, playing a central role in shaping federal institutions.
Observers note that commemorative gatherings such as this reinforce the narrative of continuity between the founding leadership and the present administration. Since assuming the presidency in May 2022 following the death of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Sheikh Mohamed has frequently invoked the principles associated with Sheikh Zayed, including unity, social cohesion and balanced development. Public appearances that highlight the Union’s origins are widely seen as part of a broader effort to connect younger generations with the federation’s formative years.
During the meeting, Sheikh Mohamed is understood to have emphasised the importance of safeguarding national identity while sustaining economic and technological advancement. Over the past five decades, the UAE has evolved into a diversified economy, with sectors such as aviation, logistics, renewable energy and advanced technology complementing hydrocarbons. Flagship initiatives including the Mars Hope Probe and the expansion of clean energy projects through Masdar have been framed as extensions of the founding vision of progress and self-reliance.
Participants at the reunion reportedly shared recollections of the atmosphere surrounding the signing of the Union agreement, describing it as a turning point that laid the foundation for political stability in a region undergoing significant change. At the time, the withdrawal of British forces from the Gulf and shifting regional dynamics created uncertainty. The decision by the rulers to form a federation was widely viewed as a strategic step to ensure collective security and economic cooperation.
Political analysts in the Gulf often highlight the UAE’s federal structure as a distinctive model in the region. While each emirate retains substantial autonomy, federal institutions oversee defence, foreign policy and key legislative functions. The Federal Supreme Council, composed of the rulers of the seven emirates, remains the highest constitutional authority. Such arrangements have allowed for coordinated policymaking while accommodating local priorities.
Sheikh Mohamed’s outreach to those who witnessed the Union’s founding aligns with a broader pattern of leadership engagement that underscores respect for historical memory. National Day celebrations each December traditionally feature tributes to Sheikh Zayed and the rulers who signed the 1971 agreement. Cultural programmes, museum exhibitions and educational curricula continue to focus on the narrative of unity as a cornerstone of state identity.
The President’s remarks are also understood to have highlighted the role of citizens in sustaining the federation’s achievements. Over the decades, the UAE’s population has grown substantially, driven by both natural increase and expatriate inflows. Emirati citizens remain a minority within the overall population, a demographic reality that has shaped policy debates around labour markets, nationalisation programmes and cultural preservation.
Economic data underline the scale of transformation since 1971. Gross domestic product has expanded from modest beginnings to hundreds of billions of dollars, with sovereign wealth funds such as the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority playing a global investment role. Major infrastructure projects, including ports, airports and transport networks, have positioned the country as a regional hub linking Asia, Europe and Africa.
The event brought together individuals who were present when the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and fellow rulers signed the agreement that established the United Arab Emirates on 2 December 1971. The reunion served both as a commemoration of that historic milestone and as a reaffirmation of the leadership’s commitment to preserving the legacy of the founding generation.
Sheikh Mohamed engaged with attendees in what officials described as a gesture of appreciation for their role, whether direct or indirect, in supporting the formation of the Union. Many of those present were civil servants, advisers, security personnel and community figures who contributed to the early administrative and institutional groundwork that followed the declaration of federation. The President paid tribute to their dedication during a period marked by rapid transformation across the Trucial States.
Federation in 1971 unified Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain and Fujairah, with Ras Al Khaimah joining in February 1972. Under Sheikh Zayed’s leadership as the first President, the newly formed state embarked on an ambitious programme of nation-building, investing oil revenues in infrastructure, healthcare, education and housing. Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai served as Vice President and Prime Minister, playing a central role in shaping federal institutions.
Observers note that commemorative gatherings such as this reinforce the narrative of continuity between the founding leadership and the present administration. Since assuming the presidency in May 2022 following the death of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Sheikh Mohamed has frequently invoked the principles associated with Sheikh Zayed, including unity, social cohesion and balanced development. Public appearances that highlight the Union’s origins are widely seen as part of a broader effort to connect younger generations with the federation’s formative years.
During the meeting, Sheikh Mohamed is understood to have emphasised the importance of safeguarding national identity while sustaining economic and technological advancement. Over the past five decades, the UAE has evolved into a diversified economy, with sectors such as aviation, logistics, renewable energy and advanced technology complementing hydrocarbons. Flagship initiatives including the Mars Hope Probe and the expansion of clean energy projects through Masdar have been framed as extensions of the founding vision of progress and self-reliance.
Participants at the reunion reportedly shared recollections of the atmosphere surrounding the signing of the Union agreement, describing it as a turning point that laid the foundation for political stability in a region undergoing significant change. At the time, the withdrawal of British forces from the Gulf and shifting regional dynamics created uncertainty. The decision by the rulers to form a federation was widely viewed as a strategic step to ensure collective security and economic cooperation.
Political analysts in the Gulf often highlight the UAE’s federal structure as a distinctive model in the region. While each emirate retains substantial autonomy, federal institutions oversee defence, foreign policy and key legislative functions. The Federal Supreme Council, composed of the rulers of the seven emirates, remains the highest constitutional authority. Such arrangements have allowed for coordinated policymaking while accommodating local priorities.
Sheikh Mohamed’s outreach to those who witnessed the Union’s founding aligns with a broader pattern of leadership engagement that underscores respect for historical memory. National Day celebrations each December traditionally feature tributes to Sheikh Zayed and the rulers who signed the 1971 agreement. Cultural programmes, museum exhibitions and educational curricula continue to focus on the narrative of unity as a cornerstone of state identity.
The President’s remarks are also understood to have highlighted the role of citizens in sustaining the federation’s achievements. Over the decades, the UAE’s population has grown substantially, driven by both natural increase and expatriate inflows. Emirati citizens remain a minority within the overall population, a demographic reality that has shaped policy debates around labour markets, nationalisation programmes and cultural preservation.
Economic data underline the scale of transformation since 1971. Gross domestic product has expanded from modest beginnings to hundreds of billions of dollars, with sovereign wealth funds such as the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority playing a global investment role. Major infrastructure projects, including ports, airports and transport networks, have positioned the country as a regional hub linking Asia, Europe and Africa.
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