In collaboration with the Portuguese National Archives, and upon an Agreement Concluded in Lisbon,
The National Library and Archives Enriches its Historical Database with Documents from the Portuguese Era

The National Library and Archives signed an agreement with the Portuguese National Archives as part of its pioneering project that supports the Memory of the Nation with historical documents and records. These documents, from global archives that cover important periods in the history of the UAE and the region. The project aims to enrich a vast and unique database that enhances its status among the world’s leading archives and underscores its role in building and promoting knowledge societies.
This agreement is an important step in a project adopted by the National Library and Archives aimed at collecting historical documents and records from global archives and making them available in an online database. This database will serve as a source and reference for researchers and those interested in the history of the UAE and the Gulf region, in terms of preserving documentary heritage and affirming the National Library and Archives’ cultural and intellectual mission. The agreement supports the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive (AGDA) project with a large number of Portuguese historical documents that include significant events from the 16th century and describe aspects of the economic and social conditions of that period. In this way, the National Library and Archives documents historical eras that the UAE and the Gulf region have gone through, providing a valuable service to researchers, academics, students, and those interested in the history of the UAE and the region worldwide. It offers this wealth of global scientific knowledge in both Arabic and English in a single database, making it a unique historical resource.
This agreement is part of a series of cooperation agreements signed by the National Library and Archives with numerous global archives in countries that had long-standing historical ties with the United Arab Emirates. These agreements confirm, through historical documents, the UAE’s geographical and economic significance in ancient historical eras.
Following its strategy, the National Library and Archives adopts a scientific approach and specific methods in implementing this project, upon which the agreement was signed. Through this agreement, the National Library and Archives obtains historical records and documents pertaining to the UAE and the region during the Portuguese era, which lasted approximately a century and a half in the region. The National Library and Archives will then engage in translating and digitizing these historical materials, ensuring their long-term preservation and making them accessible to the public through the most effective channels.
The agreement was signed by His Excellency Abdullah Majid Al Ali, Director General of the National Library and Archives, and His Excellency Dr. Sylvester Lacerda, Grantor of License from the Portuguese National Archives, at the National Archive of Torre do Tombo in the Portuguese capital, Lisbon.
Regarding the agreement and the joint project, His Excellency Abdullah Majid Al Ali stated, “The National Library and Archives is keen to contribute to to strengthening the connections of civilization and documenting the history of the UAE and its interaction with other civilizations and people of the world throughout history. We aim to preserve memory of the UAE and make it accessible to future generations. The historical ties between the UAE and Portugal are worthy of being a preserved chapter for the generations and accessible to researchers and to those interested. This chapter will be an important part of the Encyclopedia of the History of the United Arab Emirates, in which we aim to promote well-documented historical information, serving as a broad gateway to our deep-rooted history.”
His Excellency, along with his delegation, praised the Portuguese National Archives for their enthusiasm in collaborating on this project, which sheds light on periods in the history the two friendly countries. He noted that the Portuguese records, manuscripts, correspondences, and documents are rich in intellectual and historical value, opening up new intellectual horizons for researchers and interested individuals that were previously out of reach.
It is worth mentioning that a delegation from the National Library and Archives, headed by the Director General, visited the Portuguese National Archives. The agreement was signed in the Portuguese capital. Following this, the delegation visited several institutions holding historical archives to seek documents related to the region’s history, explore their digitization process, and consider the possibility of indexing and archiving them to understand their contents. These documents will then be made available on the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive (AGDA) website.
The National Library and Archives, in collaboration with major companies, will explore the Portuguese memory for historical documents related to the UAE and the Gulf region.