President Sheikh Mohamed announces 2026 as the UAE’s Year of the Family, prioritising social cohesion and core national values.
ABU DHABI: President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has officially declared 2026 as the Year of the Family, reaffirming the UAE’s national commitment to nurturing strong family units as a cornerstone of social harmony and long-term development. The announcement was made during a key session on the National Family Growth Agenda 2031, held at the 2025 Annual Government Meetings in Abu Dhabi.
The declaration positions family cohesion as a national priority, with Sheikh Mohamed emphasising that “the family is at the heart of the UAE’s identity, continuity, and national security.” He added that solid family foundations are crucial for transmitting Emirati values like unity, empathy, and cooperation to future generations.
To implement the initiative, a dedicated national task force has been established, comprising over 20 federal and local government entities. The agenda will be carried out through three strategic tracks: policy development, behavioural insights, and reproductive health. These pathways aim to empower Emirati families through targeted legislation, health programmes, and education.
The announcement also underscored the vital role of the Ministry of Family, which is tasked with crafting national strategies that promote wellbeing, instil values, and support responsible parenting. The President called upon sectors such as education, healthcare, housing, the economy, and media to collaborate in delivering a consistent, family-centric national narrative.
Sheikh Mohamed praised the wider ‘UAE Year Of’ initiative — launched in 2015 — as a successful platform for galvanising collective action across society. For 2026, it will serve as a catalyst to deepen the understanding of the family’s pivotal role in national prosperity and sustainable development.
As the country continues to evolve, the Year of the Family aims to secure a future where family values remain central to the UAE’s identity, societal strength, and cohesive national fabric.
