The National Archives receives the UAE Ministry of Finance’s boxes of historical records as part of a series of historical archives representing the memory of the nation.



Within the framework of collecting historical material and preserving the memory of the nation for future generations, the National Archives received, in its Center for Preservation and Restoration’s designated archives stores, the historical records’ boxes from the UAE Ministry of Finance. These records are considered part of the memory of the nation as they include information on the UAE’s financial budget at the time of its establishment and development in the 1970s, then its progress and prosperity in the 1980s, and approved budget records in this regard, and the development of the budget in line with the UAE’s infrastructure, education and health services development plans and initiatives, and its various sectors performance enhancement.



His Excellency Abdullah Majid Al Ali, Acting Director General of the National Archives, stressed the importance of these records and the necessity of preserving them for future generations, Accordingly the National Archives received the Ministry of Finance’s historical records’ boxes for the purpose of their classification, documentation and preservation for future generations - as an important part of the memory of the nation since they include valuable key information that demonstrates to future generations the UAE founder and builder, the Late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan’s efforts to develop the UAE and its people, until he sucessfullyand miraculously achieved his vision of the UAE to which he devoted provided all reasons for and means of success and prosperity to turn barren sand dunes into green oasis where all enjoy a decent prosperous life.



H.E. added that the National Archives was pleased with the great favourable and encouraging response of the various federal and local government agencies upon their invitation by the National Archives to hand over their historical archives for preservation, which reflects their high, deep-rooted patriotic sense, and commitment to preserving the national documentary repository of the UAE, and indicates their full awareness of the importance of historical records and documents in shaping the UAE modern history, which is considered a great and important lesson in nations building and unity.

As for the UAE Ministry of Finance’s handing over its boxes of historical records to the National Archives, Her Excellency Maryam Mohammed Al Amiri, Assistant Undersecretary for Public Financial Management Affairs, indicated that the Ministry of Finance’s records include many reports, statistics and information researchers need to know, especially that relating to UAE budgets, laws, and financial or monetary policies.

Her Excellency emphasized that the Ministry of Finance- in its interest in providing document archiving and content management digital services- was keen to digitally archive millions of its documents to preserve its rich history of achievements, some of which date back to 1971.



Al-Amiri commended and thanked the National Archives’ great efforts in the field of document preservation, safeguarding valuable historical documents against potential damage or loss, storing them in optimal conditions, and ensuring they are duly and timely accessed by and provided to decision-makers, researchers, scholars, general public and all interested parties.





The National Archives

The National Archives of the UAE was established under the Ministry of Presidential Affairs in 1968 upon the directives of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, with the aim of collecting and documenting information relating to the history and heritage of the UAE and the Gulf region. Forty years after its inception, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, issued Federal Law No. 7 of 2008 changing its name to be the National Center for Documentation and Research, entrusted organizing the UAE government entities’ archives, thus its name was changed to be the (National Archives) in accordance with Federal Law No. 1 of 2014 issued by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.