Within its 2023 cultural season 
The National Library and Archives Organized a Seminar on Zayed's Sustainable Legacy and the Next Fifty Years
The National Library and Archives organized a Seminar entitled: "Zayed's Sustainable Legacy and the Next Fifty Years" which highlighted the Founder and Builder, the Late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan’s vision reflected throughout the United Arab Emirates, and which served as a solid foundation to the UAE establishment, and witnessed development, and progress under its wise leadership who followed in Sheikh Zayed’s footsteps to resume his glorious march.
Several Researchers and Experts participated in the symposium and documented aspects of the late Sheikh Zayed's keen interest in giving, benevolence and human resources’ development, in his belief that they are the real wealth and asset of any country, and that their role is essential to establishing and building all the facilities of the state with its distinctive experience and status on the world map. 
The symposium started with a speech delivered by Dr. Husniya Al-Ali, Educational Programs Consultant at the National Library and Archives, who also moderated the symposium, in which she stated that Zayed's sustainability approach is reflected in the various economic, social, environmental and cultural fields, noting that the factors that influenced Sheikh Zayed’s sustainable approach stemmed from his upbringing in an environment with a distinctive climate, and cultural and human heritage.
 Dr. Wadima Ghanem Al Dhaheri from Mohamed bin Zayed University for Humanities discussed the witnessed developments during Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan’s reign in the vital economic, agricultural, educational and health sectors. She also highlighted Sheikh Zayed's political role, and the special interest he dedicated to women, to advancing their societal role, and to social development and his relentless efforts in environmental preservation or protection, and in promoting tolerance.
Al Dhaheri stressed that the development of any country stems mainly from its citizens or human resources’ development. Thus, the state provides its citizens with the necessary care, rights and freedom, since citizens are the supporting pillar of any state, and it is their role to defend its land, safeguard and maintain its values, and positively interact with its progress and development. She praised the UAE’s wise leadership’s keen interest in citizens and residents, and in achieving their happiness.
Dr. Ali Al-Amoudi, Sustainability Expert, tackled the miracle of transforming the desert to green land at the hands of the late Sheikh Zayed, who achieved the impossible by challenging agricultural experts’ decision on the impossibility of agricultural success in the UAE environment, whereas current statistics indicating the number of trees, gardens, parks testify to Sheikh Zayed’s strong-will and genius in agriculture, and his sustainable legacy continues to amaze the whole world.  
 Al-Amoudi pointed to the late Sheikh Zayed's keen interest in environmental sustainability, as indicated in his quote: «We pay take great interest in our environment as an integral part of our nation, its history and heritage. Our fathers and forefathers have lived on this land and preserved it simply through utilizing its elements according to their needs, to preserve it to future generations», he also addressed Sheikh Zayed's role in combating desertification, and providing water necessary for agriculture, and his keen interest in providing endangered animals a proper environment. 
The seminar’s concluding speech was delivered by Mr. Ahmed Al Kaabi from the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority, who tackled the prevailing life aspects prior to Sheikh Zayed’s reign, and discussed the various key stages of his life, pointing out that his green fingerprints which effects are witnessed in Sir Bani Yas Island bears testimony to this since it is considered one of the largest natural reserves. Zayed's sustainable legacy earned the UAE its advanced rank according to various international standards and indicators, and his great interest in the environment was evident through his strict directives prohibiting tree-cutting during performing road changes. 
It is noteworthy that the National Library and Archives documents important aspects of Zayed's sustainable legacy through the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive (AGDA) which provides a huge number of authentic historical documents and photos in their original copies, to be employed free of charge by researchers on the history of the UAE and the Gulf region.
 

The National Library and Archives conducted three educational and training workshops for summer camp students in Sharjah
The National Library and Archives conducted three different educational and training workshops for the summer camp students at Fatima Al Zahra School in Sharjah, as part of its contribution to enriching their knowledge of the UAE glorious history, to instilling in students national identity along with the values of loyalty and belonging to the nation and its wise leadership.
The first workshop, presented by Aisha Al Zaabi, Head of the Educational Programs Section at the National Library and Archives, tackled the march game created by the National Library and Archives, in which the third cycle school-students participated by answering questions on the march game derived from the National Library and Archives’ publications documenting the history and heritage of the UAE, and various aspects of the biography of the founder and builder, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, his values, sound citizenship principles, Emirati etiquette, tradition, education and heritage, and national culture in general.
The tenth-grade student, Amna Galal, commented on the fun experienced during the march game competition saying: " participating students acquired abundant and important national information which is instilled in their memory through the fun-filled game."
The supervisor, Mrs. Reham Al-Ghubari, said that the information contained in the game indicates the importance of the National Library and Archives’ mission and publications concerned with documenting the UAE ancient heritage and glorious history, and praised its great role in preserving the memory of the nation for future generations.
The second workshop tackled stories narrated by the National Library and Archives’ created cartoon characters, namely: "Hamad, Hessa and the Grandfather". The second cycle participating students wrote interesting stories about bullying, cooperation, and teamwork which they represented through the three above mentioned cartoon-characters.  
The participating students praised the workshop idea and expressed their admiration of it. Thus, the sixth-grade student Hoor Mohammed said: "During this workshop, we express ourselves freely through our writing which resulted from our discussion and cooperation. and representing the stories through the cartoon characters enhanced our understanding of their topics.
On this workshop, Mrs. Doaa Farghali, the female students’ summer camp supervisor said: The workshop opens new horizons for participating students’ thinking and writing, through fun-filled educational methods which combined play, acting and learning, and this encouraged students to interact with Ms. Aisha Al-Zaabi, who presented the workshop.
The National Library and Archives provided a reading workshop entitled: "Khalifa... A Journey to the Future" for the first cycle students which was based on conducting a dialogue with participating students to provide them with national ideas and information in an easy way commensurate with their age group.
The National Library and Archives continues its summer camp activities, where experts and specialists present various national events and programs in most of the UAE emirates and regions.

The National Library and Archives participates with its publications and  photo exhibition at the Family Life Quality Enhancing  Forum 

The National Library and Archives participated in the Family Life Quality Enhancing Forum - organized by the Family Development Foundation - with a historical photo exhibition documenting aspects of UAE history in the 1960s. It also exhibited several of its publications documenting the UAE past, recording the present and perceiving the future. The exhibition and its publications reflected the UAE's keen interest in sustaining development that enhances the quality of family life.
This participation came as part of the National Library and Archives’ societal and social responsibility, since its objectives in this event matched the forum’s  objectives of enhancing community members and families’ life- quality, well-being and prosperity, and motivating them to adopt a positive social life to enrich and enhance their life quality. 
The exhibition’s historical photos reflected the UAE renaissance, prosperity and progress achieved under the historical leadership of the Founding Father and Builder, the Late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and the wise leadership of his successors who followed in his footsteps to continue his march, and achieve his vision and aspirations. 
The exhibition presented historical aspects of the UAE, which enriched and enhanced future generations’ culture through educating them about their fathers and forefathers’ past and deep-rooted heritage, and the relentless efforts of the Emirati leadership through the development march to support and develop its human resources.
The exhibition was very well-received as it attracted the forum participants and guests’ great interest and introduced them to the National Library and Archives’ role in collecting and preserving the history and heritage of the nation for future generations and facilitating to researchers and all interested parties access to them. The exhibition’s historical photos reflected part of the historical Photos of the Presidential Archive section which document the UAE history in photos and documentaries, in addition to the National Library and Archives publications which provide documented information on the UAE witnessed development and progress which earned it the advanced and distinguished status it internationally enjoys.

The National Library and Archives Launched its Summer educational Programs and Events for Students at a Press Conference
Held under the slogan "Our Summer... and the sustainable national culture" where it launched the second edition of "Watani Al Emarat" educational booklet

The National Library and Archives launched its 2023 educational summer programs and events for students, held under the slogan "Our Summer... and the sustainable national culture" in cooperation with its strategic partners: the Emirates Schools Establishment and the Municipal Presence Center.
 These national programs and events target students, parents, teachers, administrators and volunteers. It includes virtual summer camps for (writers 71), which contribute to students’ producing future writers with refined literary writing talents.
The National Library and Archives’ held press conference was opened by its Director General, His Excellency Abdulla Majed Al Ali, who welcomed the strategic partners and media officials and representatives. HE stressed that the National Library and Archives carries out its mission and responsibility of future generations civic education, national upbringing, and promoting the values of loyalty and belonging to the homeland and its wise leadership, and spares no effort to enrich the youth’s knowledge about the UAE glorious history and heritage.
His Excellency launched and announced the summer educational programs and events for students and expressed the National Library and Archives’ keen interest to promote them over a period of four weeks, starting July 16th, in more than twenty centers in the UAE, and in major shopping malls in line with the National Library and Archives’ national role and constant students outreach. 
His Excellency concluded his speech by thanking the strategic partners and working team in charge of these distinguished National Library and Archives’ activities, wishing them to be highly successful and achieve their desired objectives.
His Excellency Mohammed Al Hashemi, Executive Director of the Student Life Quality Sector at the Emirates Schools Establishment, delivered a  speech in which  he thanked the National Library and Archives for its fruitful cooperation, efforts and contributions to the educational sector’s progress and development and for supporting students educational programs, noting that this summer camp activities ‘cooperation aims at attracting ten thousand participating public school students from various UAE emirates. 
His Excellency said that these events and activities organized in cooperation with the National Library and Archives, are designed according to the highest standards to meet all students- including students of determination- requirements and needs. These camps are part of the student life quality programs, and their objective is to sustain the national culture, and benefit students during their summer vacation free time. 
Mr. Mohammed Al Hosani, Director of the Municipal Presence Center in Mohammed Bin Zayed City, delivered a speech stressing  that these events aim at educating students and  their families, and developing future plans to match the pace of the next stage. He pointed that they constitute a great asset and added value to the residential areas in which they will be organized, namely: Khalifa City, Mohammed Bin Zayed City, and Bani Yas. The public  communication and outreach shall continue, as these events were developed based on a population field survey.
Al Hosani concluded his speech by praising the National Library and Archives’ keen interest in students’ civic education and national upbringing reflected through enhancing their knowledge about UAE history and heritage.
The National Library and Archives launched the second edition of the educational "Watani Al Emarat" booklet in both Arabic and English languages. It was presented by Dr. Husniya Al-Ali, Educational Programs Consultant, who stated that this edition was issued following teachers and educational professionals’ commending its first edition, and the booklet’s provided documented interesting and valuable information on the UAE presented to students to enhance their knowledge in a joyful and beneficial way.
She also stated that the second edition’s scientific material was based on analysis and evaluation of the first and second cycles’ national curricula, it thus came rich in exercises, activities, trainings and videos based on the National Library and Archives’ holdings, Arabian Gulf Digital Archive, and Emirates Library.
At the end of the conference, His Excellency Abdulla Majed Al Ali, NLA Director General, along with His Excellency Mohammed Al Hashemi, Executive Director of the Student Quality Sector at the Emirates Schools Establishment, and Mr. Mohammed Al Hosani, Director of the Municipal Presence Center in Mohammed Bin Zayed City, launched the new edition of the educational "Watani Al Emarat " booklet in the presence of the National Library and Archives inspirational cartoon characters: Hamad, Hessa, and their grandfather.

The National Library and Archives celebrated the launch of its "Al-Maqtaa" quarterly cultural magazine concerned with cultural and societal aspects of history and heritage 
 
The National Library and Archives launched the first issue of its "Al Maqtaa" quarterly cultural magazine concurrently with the Year of Sustain-ability. The magazine is concerned with the cultural and social aspects of heritage and history. Through this magazine, the National Library and Ar-chives aims to enrich the cultural scene and raise historical and cultural awareness of the history of the UAE and the region.
At the magazine’s first issue’s launching ceremony, which took place at the National Library and Archives’ headquarters in the (Summer of 2023), His Excellency Abdullah Majid Al Ali, Director General, confirmed  that Al-Maqta magazine constitutes a new addition to the National Library and Ar-chives publications that enhance its rich UAE cultural sustainability record, and reflect the UAE wise leadership’s support of various cultural affairs and activities which enhance and promote cultural and intellectual participa-tion.
H.E. expressed his optimism upon the issuance of Al-Maqta magazine in line with the National Library and Archives’ legacy and its keen interest in collecting and preserving the memory of the nation, H.E. stressed  the NLA’s great role in and contribution to the creation of the UAE history and heritage’s intellectual and cultural content in accordance with the prevailing cultural trends, and expressed great confidence that the magazine will earn its deserved place on the shelves of prominent Emirati and Arab libraries, and that it will attract the special attention of the culture and knowledge in-terested and passionate public.
His Excellency added: "Al Maqta magazine, with its designed Emirati identi-ty, has a goal and a mission that are closely related and associated to the National Library and Archives’ objectives and mission supporting its providing the cultural circles with studies, research and reports that meet the readers' expectations and serve their needs, especially that it enhances the National Library and Archives’ status as a prominent cultural organiza-tion that has long served to enhance the  United Arab Emirates’ status as a cultural beacon. H.E. pointed out that Al Maqta magazine’s title: “the gate-way to the heart of Abu Dhabi starts here” reflects its identity and raises the world’s awareness about Abu Dhabi’s quantum leap and unparalleled jour-ney, march and leading experience in development, progress and prosperity.
His Excellency called on the public, media, academic and intellectual profes-sionals to enrich the magazine with their creative ideas and contributions.
Mrs. Nada Al Zarooni, Managing Editor, highlighted the Al-Maqtaa maga-zine as tackling historical and heritage affairs of cultural and social nature, and as part of the National Library and Archives treasures and achieve-ments.
She then discussed the magazine’s vision as mainly concerned with raising readers’ historical and cultural awareness and enriching the cultural scene in line with the National Library and Archives’ mission and in reflection of its interests, efforts, and objectives. She also provided an overview of the mag-azine's various sections. 
The magazine’s first edition started with H.E. Abdullah Majed Al Ali, Edi-tor-in-Chief’s inaugural keynote: "Al Maqta: The UAE’s Journey", where H.E. stressed that Al-Maqta magazine is one of the cultural initiatives that benefited from the prosperous and rich cultural environment, its pages in-troduce various topics that include documenting the UAE Leaders, Sheikhs and senior prominent figures’ achievements and inspirational stages, and documenting societal history based on the National Library and Archives’ collected documents and other holdings.
The magazine began its topics with the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Na-hyan as the key personality of its first issue.
It also tackled various topics including: sustainability, the UAE slogan for 2023, a story in a picture, an introduction to the National Library and Ar-chives, from their memory, the history of things, and unforgettable names, among others.
The first issue of the magazine, among its rich articles and reports also tack-led Mohammed bin Rashid Library as an environment-friendly knowledge beacon and introduced a variety of topics on tradition as opposed to mo-dernity in Abu Dhabi, content creators, on a trip through the Liwa sand dunes and fig-tree oases. It also tackled arts through the biography of the multi-award-winning Emirati painter Abdul Qader Al Rais, and introduced numerous key publications, and an article on "Horses". The managing edi-tor’s article entitled: "Al Maqta: the story beginning".
 

The National Library and Archives Honors Winners of the 13th edition of the Young Historian Award which witnessed a 20% turnout increase 

The National Library and Archives honored the winning Young Historian Award students in its thirteenth edition, organized under the slogan “2023 the Year of Sustainability in the UAE "Today for Tomorrow".
His Excellency the Director General, Abdulla Majed Al Ali, opened the hon-oring ceremony at the National Library and Archives’ HQ, with a speech in which he stressed that, over the past years, the award has successfully pro-moted scientific research among students, motivated them to take interest in the history and heritage of the United Arab Emirates, and urged them to de-velop their research, criticism and analytic skills, pointing out that the Na-tional Library and Archives sponsored the Young Historian editions in col-laboration with the Emirates Education Foundation, as they always offer new ideas that match our wise leadership’s national values, objectives and concepts.
His Excellency also stressed that "Sustainability in the UAE" has enriched this edition of the Young Historian Award which attracted fifth to eighth grade students.
His Excellency urged students to participate in this award, which promotes the   values of loyalty and belonging to the nation and its wise leadership, and congratulated the winners and participants wishing them further pro-gress and success. 
Dr. Aisha Bilkhair, Research Advisor at the  National Library and Archives, Vice Chairman of the  Organizing Committee, delivered a speech  in  which she said: "The Young Historian Award aims  at strengthening the values of loyalty and belonging to the nation and its leadership, instilling national identity in students, raising their historical awareness, enhancing their re-search, criticism and analytic skills, encouraging them to preserve the UAE history and heritage, and instilling the values of tolerance and civilizational dialogue as key pillars following the footsteps of the founding builder, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan through the next 50 years.
She pointed out that the National Library and Archives award organizing committee added in the 13th edition themes that reveal new areas in the submitted written works on the history and heritage of the UAE, which en-hance students’ historical research skills, and enrich libraries and cultural circles. 
She appreciated the efforts of the participants in the current Young Histori-an Award and congratulated its winning students and supervisors.
It is noteworthy that the Young Historian Award achieved in its thirteenth edition, a 20 percent increase in its participating students and schools’ turnout.
Zainab School for Basic and Secondary Education in Ras Al Khaimah won the first award in Economic History category for its research (UAE and Sus-tainability), while Al Maaref Secondary School for Boys in Dubai won the second for its research (Currency and Sustainability). 
In social history category, the Emirates National Schools for Boys in Ras Al Khaimah won the first award for its research (National Identity Project: This is what Zayed loved), while the following research papers won the sec-ond award: (Archaeological Areas in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi), (Emirati Humanity is the Heart of the World), and (the Mother of the Nation’s Last-ing prints). In the third place came: (Delma through Zayed’s eyes), (the UAE Centennial the next 50 years and the perception of 2071), and (Choose your path. Your future is in your hands).
In the social history category, the research (Qasr Al Hosn.. a witness to the nation’s establishment), and for the Emirati studies category, the following research won second place: (National Library and Archives.. Memory of the Nation), and (UAE sands bear witness to its initiatives in disasters and cri-ses), and (salt and spikes.. the battle of no impossible).
In the oral history category, the research: (The seas are a world full of se-crets) won the second place.
As for the three winning reports, that came in third place, they are: (Emirati Women), (Volunteer Knights), and (Abu Dhabi, The Role-Model City).

The National Library and Archives Visited Zayed Higher Organization for People of Determination and Presented them with the “March” Game 
In line with its keenness to promote sound civic education and carry out its social responsibility, a National Library and Archives’ delegation visited Zayed Higher Organization for People of Determination, to carry out its significant role in promoting social responsibility, and sound civic education among citizens of determination, with the aim of providing knowledge support and suffering relief.  
The National Library and Archives’ team met various people of determination during their tour, at the end of which, the team members were briefed on the most prominent crafts and professions in which the people of determination are trained. The delegation members also praised the great provided interest and care which they witnessed them receive and which indicate the extent of society members’ solidarity, which reflects the UAE's strategy at the societal and humanitarian levels. 
The National Library and Archives’ representatives invited Zayed Higher Organization to participate in its organized events and activities according to the available talents and capabilities stressing that people of determination are an integral and active part of the UAE society. 
The National Library and Archives’ team distributed the march game to those who could play this innovative civic education game, inspired by the founding Father and Leader, the Late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan’s biography and march, with the aim of raising their awareness and enhancing their knowledge of the UAE history and heritage. The march game is designed to suit all age- groups and it reveals some hidden or undiscovered talents of the over-ten age groups.
It is noteworthy that the National Library and Archives takes a keen interest in the people of determination, as it has previously issued books in Braille for blind or visually impaired people, audiobooks for people with hearing disabilities, and its doors are always open to welcome the people of determination to participate in its various organized events and activities.

In celebration of the International Archives Day,
The National Library and Archives participates with a working paper in a symposium organized by the Sharjah Institute for Heritage
The National Library and Archives participated in a symposium organized by the Sharjah In-stitute for Heritage under the slogan of “The Future of Archiving and Documents Sustainabil-ity” with a working paper entitled “The Importance and Role of Documents and Archives at Documentation and Archiving Centers”. The NLA’s participation comes as part of its celebra-tion of the International Archives Day, which aims to preserve the human archival heritage, exchange experiences, research and ideas and organize archival organizations.
In her paper, Dr. Fatma Al Mazrouei, Head of Historical Archive Section at the NLA, fo-cused on the importance of preserving historical documents since they reflect the civilized image of the nation. The NLA makes considerable efforts in collecting archival materials from inside and outside the UAE.
The paper shed the light on the agreements and memoranda of understanding that linked the NLA with a large number of archival organizations and under which the NLA can exchange, restore and preserve documents in line with the best standards applicable in the field of ar-chives preservation. It is noted that the NLA continues its efforts to enhance cooperation with the international archiving organizations and major national libraries worldwide such as the British Archives, British Library, Portuguese Archive, French and Indian Archives, Dutch Archives, US Archives and other archives that have rich and diversified holdings.
She stressed that the NLA is interested in providing access to archival materials via its elec-tronic platforms such as AGDA that contains thousands of various original historical docu-ments like letters, manuscripts, reports, and others, which all are pertaining to the history of the UAE and the Arabian Gulf region.
The paper highlighted some of the NLA’s projects and initiatives, primarily the “Young His-torian” Award, which is sponsored by the NLA due to its importance in promoting historical research among the future generations.
In addition, it presented the NLA’s publications, most prominently the chronicles of sheikhs, which are a documentary series of the sheikhs’ visits, receptions and daily activities. These chronicles document the UAE’s history and development, which was achieved by Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan and his fellow founding fathers, and which was promoted through the efforts of the wise leadership that followed in Sheikh Zayed’s footsteps in devel-oping the UAE so that it achieved a special status worldwide.
Al Mazrouei illustrated the NLA’s other periodicals and publications that provide researchers, academics and those who are interested in history with reliable information about the history and heritage of the UAE and the Gulf region.

Photo:
Sharjah Institute for Heritage honouring Ms. Fatma Al Mazrouei for her participation.

In line with its pioneering long-term secure digital preservation project 
The National Library and Archives inspects Piql long term preservation methods, equipment, and techniques at the Arctic World Archive in Norway  

A delegation from the National Library and Archives visited the "Piql" HQ in Norway, where its members were briefed on documents long-term digital preservation projects, and modern technologies in this field.
The National Library and Archives took advantage of the visits to discuss future cooperation with Piql and Melara Middle East, mainly that the NLA becomes a regional center for "Piql and Melara " projects in preserving the memory of the nation. The delegation members were briefed on long-term archives’ preservation, processing, and work techniques.
This National Library and Archives’ initiative reflects the UAE's firm commitment to achieving sustainable development and the keen interest of the National Library and Archives to enhance, and develop its holdings, implement the UAE government strategy and preserve the region’s history and heritage.
 The National Library and Archives looks forward to successfully carrying out its role as a regional technical services center providing archives content digitization and long-term preservation services in the UAE, the Gulf and the Middle East. Thus, it aims to conclude an agreement with the two above mentioned companies for the provision of this project’s necessary technological devices, software, equipment, and training to display such modern and advanced global digital secure and Long-term preservation system at the Abu Dhabi hosted International Council on Archives (ICA) Congress from 9-13 October, 2023.
During a visit to Piql's headquarters in Drammen, Norway, the National Library and Archives delegation was briefed on details of Piql's data and image technologies, its films, filming duration, films processing, access, and storage conditions. 
The National Library and Archives delegation also visited the Arctic World Archive (AWA) which is an ultra-secure and long-term data preservation vault located in a former mine deep inside an arctic mountain on the isolated arctic Svalbard archipelago.
This National Library and Archives visit, carried out by a delegation of specialists and experts, comes as a second step following the launch of the pilot phase of the original data digital transformation and permanent or long term secure digital preservation project, (for periods exceeding two thousand years).
This project aims at achieving information digital transformation for a secure and long-term preservation for future generations through employing the latest data preservation information technology solutions, but with Emirati expertise at local, regional, and international levels.
 

The National Library and Archives celebrates International Archives Day and spreads awareness of the importance of digital records and data preservation sustainability.

It organized a lecture on enabling digital government along with two photo and technologies exhibitions. 

In celebration of international Archives Day, the National Library and Archives organized various events reflecting its strategic and national role in collecting the memory of the nation, to allow researchers access to it, and preserve it for future generations, stressing the importance of preserving the digital governments’ archives, when the world is witnessing accelerated digital transformation reflected through the digital government services,  tools and strategies.
The National Library and Archives organized, at its headquarters, a lecture entitled: "Enabling Digital Government", in which Mr. Hamad Al-Mutairi, Director of the Archives Department, reviewed the National Library and Archives establishment in 1968 upon directives from the Founder and Builder, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and the main stages it went through, he also tackled the National Library and Archives’ vision, mission, and values.  
The Director of the Archives Department encouraged the government entities’ participants to provide the National Library and Archives with innovative ideas that enhance the sustainability of its digital documents and data preservation methods, stressing the importance of institutions’ vital documents and their responsibility to preserve them.
He discussed the importance of the digital files preservation and sustainability methods, pointing out  that this is the National Library and Archives mission and objective, since it keenly seeks to achieve long-term preservation for over two thousand years. He also tackled the digital government strategy objectives and priorities, stressing the UAE prominent and leading status among world countries, and pointed out that the digital government works to enhance infrastructure and support digital transformation strategies in government entities.
The lecture further tackled the government bodies’ responsibilities and role in digital records and documents preservation, and discussed at length the National Library and Archives significant role in government agencies coordination, infrastructure, sustainability, training and consulting, policies regulations, procedures, and legislation, most important of which is the Federal Law No. 7 of 2008 and its bylaws or executive regulations, and the guidelines available on the  National Library and Archives’ website. He stressed the importance of joint-institutional efforts to realize and sustain records integrity, preservation, and accessibility.
The Archives Department Director concluded his lecture by shedding light on Abu Dhabi, and its hosting, from 9-13 October, the 19th edition of  the International Council on Archives Congress, under the slogan "Enriching Knowledge Societies", which topics discussed important current and future archival issues, on top of which come peace and tolerance, then emerging technologies - electronic records and solutions, sustainable knowledge and sustainable planet:  Archives, records, climate change, trust and evidence, access and memories.
The workshop included a speech delivered by Ms. Shaikha Al-Abdouli, Head of the Records Department at the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant, that tackled her distinguished experience in organizing and digitizing records and films.
On the sidelines of the International Archives Day celebration, the National Library and Archives organized, at its headquarters, a historical photo-exhibition featuring and documenting various aspects of the history of the UAE and its people in the 1960s, and before the establishment of the Union.
The National Library and Archives organized an exhibition of innovative methods and smart solutions at its headquarters which technically supported its tasks and goals achievement in terms of preserving and facilitating access to the memory of the nation.

In the presence of international delegations, the National Library and Archives, as representative of the UAE, demonstrated its pioneering and distinguished experience in addition to participating in the Kazakh Presidential Archives’ celebrations of inaugurating the Youth Summer School. 

The National Library and Archives participated in the celebrations organized by the Presidential Archives of Kazakhstan to celebrate the inauguration of the Summer School for the Kazakh Archives’ Youth in the city of Almaty.
On this occasion, His Excellency, Abdullah Majid Al Ali, director general of the National Library and Archives, presented a speech in which he highly estimated the distinguished and solid relations between the United Arab Emirates and the Republic of Kazakhstan. His Excellency referred to the continuous development of the relations between the two countries due to the support of the two wise leaderships in favor of the interest of the two friendly peoples. He highly valued the significant relations, which connects the National Library and Archives with the Kazakh Presidential Archives and the National Archives of Kazakhstan.

The NLA director general- in the presence of Alia Mustafaina -director general of the Presidential Archives in Kazakhstan and a number of Kazakh officials as well as a large number of delegations from countries participating in the ceremony in addition to members of the Kazakh Archives’ school and its administration-expressed his happiness to participate in this distinguished archival event that coincides with the world archives week celebrations, which reflect the interest of the entire world in archives due to their importance in enriching knowledge societies.

In his word, His Excellency demonstrated the experience of the United Arab Emirates in developing specialized postgraduate and professional studies in the field of document management and archival sciences, and the role of the National Library and Archives in training and qualifying archivists.
According to His Excellency, the aspirations of the Kazakh Archives’ Youth summer school are reminiscent of their NLA counterparts. The NLA gives priority to archival studies. Accordingly, the NLA in cooperation with Sorbonne University in Abu-Dhabi established BA and MA academic programs in document management and archival sciences in addition to a professional certificate program, which is a qualifying program for workers in the field of archives. The NLA also organizes workshops and training courses for archivists in the area of archival studies and presented by experts at its headquarters.

His Excellency invited international delegations to participate in the major archival event, the International Council of Archives Congress, which will be organized by the NLA in Abu Dhabi from 9-13 October-2023. The congress will include contemporary and future archival issues as well as innovative and sustainable themes, which will contribute to the development of archives globally.

His Excellency concluded his speech by congratulating the Kazakh Presidential Archives on the inauguration of the Summer School for the Kazakh Archives’ Youth wishing them the best of luck and hoping that the Kazakh Archives achieves its desired goals. His Excellency affirmed the readiness of NLA to support this pioneering and distinguished experience with expertise and advanced technical programs concerned with preserving the memory of the nation.

International delegations participated in the celebration of the inauguraion of the Kazakh Archives’ Youth summer school;most notably from: the United Arab Emirates, the Republic of Kazakhstan, China, Russia, Turkey, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan. It should be noted that the Kazakh Archives’ Youth summer school, organized by the Kazakh Presidential Archives in cooperation with Al-Farabi Kazakh National University since 2017, is a popular and important event for specialists in local and foreign archival institutions.

The mission of this school aims to improve the skills of young archivists in order to get acquainted with new technologies and modern methods of archival work, and develop international cooperation in the field of archives. More than 900 participants from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, China, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, the Russian Federation and Uzbekistan, as well as employees of archival institutions in Kazakhstan and university students have benefited from this school.
 

The National Library and Archives Board of Directors held a meeting to discuss the latest developments on hosting the International Council on Archives Congress among other work-related issues.
Al Midfa said: The National Library and Archives enriches knowledge societies and enhances the UAE cultural status. 
The National Library and Archives’ Board of Directors discussed in its meeting chaired by His Excellency Hamad bin Abdul Rahman Al-Midfa, work development as well as current and future National Library and Archives’ strategy topics, and major future events.
  The meeting tackled the preparations for the Abu Dhabi hosted International Council on Archives Congress from 9-13 October 2023, and major developments that would enhance this major archival event to add to its international dimensions among world Archives and  archival specialists.
During the meeting, the Board of Directors discussed the National Library and Archives new strategic plan’s developments, the proposed organizational structure, the NLA building, and the content building strategy that qualifies the National Library to be the UAE civilizational and cultural beacon.
The Board of Directors Chairman stressed the important role of the National Library and Archives in empowering and enriching knowledge societies in line with the wise leadership’s aspirations for the UAE future and its world leadership role on the centenary of the auspicious union’s establishment, stressing that the major local and international achievements accomplished at this stage enhance the UAE’s cultural status, and leadership among world countries. His Excellency also stressed that the National Library and Archives shall continue its national march towards ensuring the best realization of the projected achievements and projects in a record time in line with the UAE wise leadership’s vision.
His Excellency the Board of Directors Chairman praised the National Library and Archives’ achieved events and activities on the local, Arab and international levels, which earned its status as a cultural beacon and a scientific edifice that collects the memory of the nation through employing the latest technologies, to allow researchers, customers and users easy access to it, and preserve it for future generations.

Photo-caption: Al Midfa chairs the National Library and Archives Board of Directors meeting.