UAE President Sheik Mohamed Names 2026 National Year of Family

Sheik Mohamed has declared 2026 as the Year of the Family. The announcement of this most important national initiative emphasizes the fundamental role that families play in UAE’s strength and prosperity. The UAE President announced this designation on November 6. He stressed that family cohesion and strong relations between family members create the basic pillar that builds a reliable and flourishing society.

Sheik Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan emphasized that encouraging strong family bonds is both a shared responsibility and an urgent national priority to ensure UAE’s long-term societal sustainability. This themed year will promote values of unity, empathy, and cooperation that characterize Emirati society. These qualities will pass on to future generations. The UAE President connected Emirati family’s growth directly to “our existence, our identity, the future of our nation, and our national security.”

Why Sheik Mohamed named 2026 the Year of Family

“The family is a cornerstone of the nation’s strength and prosperity, and for that reason, its growth, stability and effectiveness are a shared responsibility and an urgent priority to ensure the sustainability of society.” — Sheik Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates

UAE President believes Emirati families are the backbone of national identity and security. At a recent session about the National Family Growth Agenda 2031, Sheik Mohamed bin Zayed highlighted how family growth stands as a key national priority that shapes long-term prosperity. The family unit protects UAE’s cultural heritage, values, and national identity.

Sheik Mohamed finds his inspiration from UAE’s Founding Father, the late Sheik Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Sheik Zayed always saw the family as society’s foundation. His leadership style embraced Arabian Bedouin traditions that valued consensus and consultation, with family values at its heart.

This focus aims to tackle several current challenges in the Emirates. Government data reveals an 11 percent drop in Emirati birth rates from 2015 to 2022. The number of Emiratis aged 60 and above will likely grow from 165,000 to 2 million by 2050.

Sheik Mohamed emphasized that these family growth challenges need strong teamwork between government, private sector, and community members. He called it a “shared national commitment” that goes beyond just the Ministry of Family’s scope.

How the National Family Growth Agenda 2031 will be implemented

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The UAE has launched its National Family Growth Agenda 2031 with a complete national task force that brings together more than 20 federal and local government entities. This collaborative group will work on three essential tracks to make the execution successful.

The first track looks at existing policies and programs that affect family growth and identifies areas that need improvement. Officials will talk directly with Emirati families across the country in the second track to understand what drives their decisions about starting families. The third track evaluates current reproductive health programs and tackles obstacles that might slow down family growth.

The agenda builds on three main pillars: deepening family identity, building strong family foundations, and strengthening families. The original phase brings several practical programs that help balance family and work life, build positive attitudes, improve reproductive health, and offer different types of support.

Sana Suhail, Minister of Family, stated that the agenda wants to reach specific goals by 2031. These goals include higher Emirati birth rates and increased marriages. The UAE government plans to create awareness programs and build mutually beneficial alliances with citizens, residents, and private companies.

Sheik Mohamed pointed out that while the Ministry of Family guides these efforts, the responsibility of addressing family growth challenges belongs to everyone – government agencies, private sector, and society must all play their part.

What the Year of Family means for UAE society

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“Through cooperation, teamwork, awareness and shared responsibility, we can achieve our goals in a way that serves society and the Emirati national identity.” — Sheik Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates

The UAE’s choice of 2026 as Year of Family shows a deep vision for society’s future. This themed year continues the legacy of the ‘UAE Year Of’ initiative, now 11 years old, which unites the nation through shared values and priorities. Local storytelling drives collective action throughout the Emirates.

UAE society will see a thoughtful emphasis on making social bonds stronger. Both citizens and residents need greater awareness about keeping family ties strong and cohesive as essential elements of a resilient community. These efforts promote unity, empathy, and cooperation – values deeply woven into Emirati culture.

Family wellbeing stands at the heart of national identity and future growth. Sheik Mohamed has called for a unified national narrative that highlights the family’s vital role in society. His vision requires all sectors to support these initiatives, from healthcare and education to housing, economy, and media.

This approach builds on the soaring wins of previous themed years since 2015. Years dedicated to breakthroughs, reading, giving, Zayed, tolerance, preparation for the next 50, the 50th anniversary, sustainability, and community have shaped societal values. Each year used storytelling and cross-sector alliances to encourage sustainability and create lasting social effects.

The Year of Family is proof of UAE’s dedication to preserving its cultural roots while tackling modern challenges. Sheik Mohamed’s announcement shows his concern about falling birth rates and his long-term vision for Emirati society. Family unity has become more than just a social value – it’s now a strategic priority tied directly to national identity and security.

The National Family Growth Agenda 2031 will bring real change through teamwork between government bodies. Their strategy uses three tracks: they review current policies, study what motivates family formation, and address reproductive health needs. This complete approach will give families support in many ways, from strengthening their identity to helping them thrive.

UAE society will benefit greatly from this laser focus on family structures. This theme lines up with the country’s tradition of yearly themes that bring citizens together under common values. Sheik Mohamed believes in teamwork and shared duty – an approach that has worked well in other national programs since 2015. Family well-being touches everything from healthcare and education to housing and media.

The Emirates face demographic hurdles that need this unified response. More elderly citizens and fewer births create complex social questions. The leadership shows wisdom by understanding that expandable solutions must come from everyone – federal agencies and local communities alike. The Year of Family isn’t just a celebration but a rallying cry for all Emiratis.

This national focus ended up making stronger the social bonds that have defined UAE society since Sheik Zayed founded it. His belief that family forms society’s foundation lives on in this initiative. The Emirates’ future depends by a lot on keeping these core values while adapting to today’s world. Sheik Mohamed’s declaration will give family a central place in the nation’s identity, success, and security for generations ahead.