UAE leaders reaffirm commitment to unity and progress on Union Pledge Day

Abu Dhabi: President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has reaffirmed that unity remains the enduring strength of the UAE and the driving force behind its continued advancement.

In a statement marking Union Pledge Day, Sheikh Mohamed said: “On Union Pledge Day, we celebrate the blessed legacy of our Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and his fellow Rulers, who worked together to establish the Union. As we renew our collective commitment to the progress and prosperity of the UAE, we affirm that unity is the foundation of our nation’s strength and development.”

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, echoed this sentiment, stating: “Union Pledge Day commemorates the historic moment our Founding Fathers united to declare the Union and draft its Constitution. It was a day when hearts aligned, and efforts and resources merged to create the greatest model of solidarity in the modern Arab world. Today, we renew our pledge to build with the same spirit and ambition for the future.”

As the UAE marks the first anniversary of Union Pledge Day on 18th July, the nation reflects on the pivotal events that led to unification. The declaration of the Union and the signing of the Constitution in 1971 laid the foundation for the federation, formally established on December 2.

Union Pledge Day was designated by President Sheikh Mohamed as a national occasion to reaffirm loyalty to the homeland and celebrate the nation’s journey of development.

The day aims to strengthen national identity and raise awareness of the foundational steps that propelled the UAE into a regional and global leadership role.

The occasion honours the vision and sacrifices of the Founding Fathers, especially the late Sheikh Zayed, who led the formation of the Arab world’s first federal state and launched one of the region’s most ambitious development programmes.

Following Sheikh Zayed’s leadership, the late Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan ushered in the "empowerment phase" (2004–2022), enhancing institutions, education, and public engagement. His era saw exceptional growth across economic, humanitarian, and technological sectors. Under his leadership, the UAE became the Arab world’s second-largest economy and the first Arab and Muslim nation to reach Mars.

Sheikh Khalifa also introduced long-term strategic frameworks such as the Principles of the 50, UAE Vision 2021, UAE Strategy for Government Services (2021–2025), National Space Strategy 2030, and Net Zero 2050 Strategy.

Since 2022, under President Sheikh Mohamed’s leadership, the UAE has continued to achieve major milestones across economic, social, and political spheres. The country consistently ranks high in regional and global competitiveness indices.

Economic diversification has accelerated, with strong growth in tourism, trade, financial services, real estate, telecoms, and technology. According to the Central Bank of the UAE, real GDP is expected to grow by 4.4% in 2025, supported by rising foreign investment and robust non-oil sectors.

In Q1 2025, non-oil foreign trade reached Dh835 billion, with exports hitting a record Dh177.3 billion. Over the past five decades, GDP has surged from Dh58.3 billion in 1975 to Dh17 trillion in 2024, while foreign trade has grown from Dh11.5 billion to Dh5.23 trillion.

In January, President Sheikh Mohamed declared 2025 as the Year of Community, aimed at reinforcing intergenerational bonds and social cohesion. The government allocated Dh27.9 billion — 39% of the 2025 federal budget — to social development, underscoring its commitment to citizen welfare and cultural heritage.

On the global stage, the UAE remains a committed partner in peacebuilding and humanitarian work. Guided by values of tolerance and coexistence, the country promotes global stability and justice.  Since its founding, the UAE has delivered Dh368 billion in foreign aid, reaching over one billion people worldwide across humanitarian and development initiatives.