The UAE has established a new national body to oversee how the country’s founding story is officially documented and communicated, following a resolution issued by His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court.
The newly formed National Committee for the UAE Union Narrative will act as the sole accredited authority responsible for documenting the official historical narrative of the establishment of the United Arab Emirates.
Its mandate covers events leading up to the formation of the Union, as well as those that accompanied its founding, with the aim of ensuring accuracy, consistency and alignment across all national content.
The committee will be responsible for drafting and approving the official Union Narrative document, applying approved terminology and ensuring the correct sequencing of historical events. It will also ensure that national, media, educational and cultural content reflects the verified information contained within the approved narrative.
Ensuring accuracy in national storytelling
The mandate explicitly reflects the central role of the late Founding Father Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan in building the nation and consolidating the Union.
According to the resolution, the committee will be chaired by Ahmed Juma Al Zaabi, Advisor to the UAE President. Its members include representatives from a wide range of federal and local bodies, including the Presidential Protocol and Strategic Narrative Authority, the National Media Office, the Education, Human Development and Community Development Council, the Founder’s Office and the National Library and Archives.
Representation also extends to the Executive Office of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, the general secretariats of the executive councils of Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Qaiwain and Ras Al Khaimah, as well as the Office of the Ruler of Fujairah.
Beyond documentation, the committee will review and approve national campaigns related to the Union and its national symbols before they are launched. It will validate content across media platforms, educational curricula and publications to ensure alignment with the official narrative. Government entities, media organisations and educational and cultural institutions will be required to submit relevant materials for approval prior to publication or implementation.
The committee will also coordinate with federal and local authorities to maintain a unified national narrative and provide guidance to ensure consistent application of the approved framework. It will periodically review and update the Union Narrative in line with credible historical research, while preserving its core principles.
The resolution allows the committee to form working groups and seek support from experts and specialists as required. Any provisions that conflict with the resolution have been annulled, reinforcing the committee’s authority as the definitive reference point for the UAE’s Union Narrative.
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