National Library and Archives

The National Library and Archives Celebrates UAE-Kuwaiti Relations
Coinciding with “UAE and Kuwait: Brothers Forever” Week

In line with the directives of the wise leadership and on the occasion of “UAE and Kuwait: Brothers Forever” Week, the National Library and Archives (NLA) continues to celebrate the longstanding fraternal ties between the United Arab Emirates and the sisterly State of Kuwait. This is being marked through a wide range of cultural and educational initiatives that reflect the depth of the historical, social, and diplomatic bonds between the two nations.
The celebration program includes a seminar on UAE-Kuwaiti social relations throughout history, marking the launch of the NLA’s 2026 cultural season. It also features a series of historical photo exhibitions documenting the trajectory of bilateral relations, as well as educational workshops and specialized lectures in Abu Dhabi schools and at ceremonial events.
The National Library and Archives is also publishing a documentary book titled: “UAE and Kuwait: A Nation’s Memory and Fraternal Relations.” The book documents bright milestones in the history of these strong ties, showcasing selected archival photos, documents, and testimonies that reflect decades of cooperation and integration between the two brotherly peoples.
The NLA’s activities within the week (running from January 29 to February 4, 2026) kicked off with a seminar titled “UAE-Kuwaiti Social Relations” held at the NLA headquarters. The seminar addressed the roots of social and fraternal relations and factors contributing to their growth. It underscored Kuwait’s pivotal role in supporting the UAE’s development journey prior to the Union, particularly in health and education. It also shed light on the UAE’s supportive stances toward Kuwait during various crises, which reinforced the solidity of the relationship.
Participants emphasized that UAE-Kuwaiti relations represent a steadfast model of authentic Gulf brotherhood, forged in a shared social and cultural environment and solidified by values of cohesion and a common destiny.
In parallel, the National Library and Archives (NLA) is organizing photo and document exhibitions across several prominent locations including the VIP Lounge at Zayed International Airport (Departures), the outdoor plaza of the Sheikh Zayed Festival in Al-Wathba, as well as Galleria Mall and the Mubadala Tower, in cooperation with Mubadala. The NLA is also enriching the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive (AGDA) through a virtual photo exhibition. These exhibitions collectively feature photographs documenting meetings between the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and the late Emirs of the State of Kuwait: Sheikh Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, and Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. They affirm the depth and continuous development of the ever-growing bilateral relations across all areas.
This narrative of fraternity was further extended to the 2026 Cairo International Book Fair, where a special supplement of the NLA’s Al-Maqta’ magazine titled “UAE and Kuwait: A Timeless Tale of Brotherhood” was distributed to a wide audience.
As part of the “UAE and Kuwait, Brothers Forever” week, the NLA has organized a series of art workshops and awareness lectures under the same theme. These activities were hosted by a number of schools, including Al-Manara Private School, Al-Taweela School, Al-Asala School, Emirates National and ADNOC schools, in addition to other schools and several kindergartens.
These sessions aim to educate younger generations about the deep-rooted bilateral relations between the UAE and Kuwait, highlighting Kuwait’s historical role in supporting the development of the UAE’s education and healthcare sectors, as well as its contributions to the media and cultural fields. They also underscore the UAE’s longstanding fraternal support and the sustainability of economic and trade cooperation between the two countries.
Moreover, specialized programs were organized under the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood initiative to instill in younger generations the values of brotherhood and a shared historical legacy.
The NLA has also launched a media campaign across its official social platforms, highlighting selected photographs, films, and historical documents that reflect the depth of UAE–Kuwait relations. This campaign allows the public to interact and engage, further strengthening the awareness of a shared history and the bonds of brotherhood between the two peoples.

Highlighting its Duty and Role in Affirming Rights and Preserving the Memory of the Nation,
The National Library and Archives Showcases Its Contribution to Support Scientific Research at Cairo International Book Fair 2026
The UAE National Library and Archives (NLA) participated in the 57th edition of the Cairo International Book Fair with a cultural symposium titled “The National Library and Archives: A Hub for Historical Research Movement in the UAE.” Held at its pavilion, the symposium highlighted the NLA’s pioneering role in supporting scientific research and serving researchers both within the UAE and internationally. This participation reflects its national and intellectual mission to preserve the memory of the nation and safeguard its history.
The symposium, presented by expert Dr. Abdullatif Al Sayyadi, affirmed that the National Library and Archives houses a unique wealth of historical and intellectual materials, including millions of documents and rare materials that document various aspects of political, social, economic and cultural life in the UAE and the Gulf region, dating from the sixteenth century to the modern era. These materials are preserved according to the latest scientific and technical standards and are also digitized and made accessible online to ensure their sustainability and ease of access.
Dr. Al Sayyadi explained that the NLA provides researchers with a wide range of historical sources in various languages including English, French, Portuguese, and Dutch. He Also affirmed that historical documents represent an authentic and reliable source of information, possessing high scientific and evidentiary value.
He indicated that these documents have contributed to supporting several cases currently pending before international arbitration and judicial forums. Serving as decisive evidence, they reinforce one party’s position in the dispute and help affirm rights and national sovereignty over the disputed territories.
The symposium also highlighted the NLA’s ongoing efforts to preserve the memory of the nation through the implementation of specialized projects aimed at acquiring governmental and personal documents, restoring and digitizing them. These efforts further extend to safeguarding the country’s cultural and national heritage and to active engagement in international institutions and organizations.
Dr. Al Sayyadi also stated that, under the Federal Law No. (13) of 2021, the National Library was integrated under the umbrella of the National Archives, becoming a comprehensive national reference and a leading cultural and informational centre. It is dedicated to preserving the intellectual and cultural heritage of the UAE and supporting research and knowledge, reflecting the UAE’s prominent role and leadership in safeguarding the memory and shaping the future.

In Partnership with the National Library and Archives, UAE Embassy in Cairo Convenes Specialized Seminar on AI’s Role in Modern Reading
The Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Cairo, in collaboration with the National Library and Archives (NLA), organized a seminar titled “Reading in the Age of Artificial Intelligence” on the sidelines of the 57th edition of the Cairo International Book Fair.
The seminar, held on the NLA platform at the Cairo International Book Fair 2026, featured His Excellency Ambassador Hamad Obaid Al Zaabi, Ambassador of the UAE to Egypt and Permanent Representative to the League of Arab States and children’s literature writer Samah Abou Bakr Ezzat. The event was moderated by Dr. Hussein Hosny, broadcaster at Alghad TV and drew a large audience of intellectuals, media professionals, and fair visitors.
In his opening remarks, His Excellency Ambassador Hamad Obaid Al Zaabi expressed his pleasure at participating in the seminar “Reading in the Age of Artificial Intelligence,” noting that it addresses a topic that brings together the depth of cultural heritage and the rapid pace of contemporary technological transformation. He also emphasized the deep-rooted fraternal and historical ties between the United Arab Emirates and the Arab Republic of Egypt in the cultural and knowledge spheres.
H.E. Al Zaabi affiremed that reading has, throughout history, constituted the cornerstone of building an informed and conscious individual, remaining the foremost means of acquiring knowledge and developing thought. He noted that while technology has transformed access to information, it cannot replace conscious reading or the human intellect, but instead complements them by enriching knowledge and widening its scope when properly employed.
He described Egypt as a “beacon of knowledge,” affirming that the UAE’s participation in the Cairo International Book Fair is a celebration of a long history of cooperation, as Egypt plays a major and inspiring role in publishing and reading movements in the region. He stressed that culture remains the strongest bridge connecting peoples in the face of the challenges posed by algorithms and artificial intelligence.
The Ambassador reviewed the UAE’s pioneering model in institutionalizing knowledge, referring to the National Reading Law of 2016, which is considered the first legislation aimed at instilling reading as a daily habit. He also highlighted the designation of March each year as Reading Month to engage all segments of society in tangible intellectual activities. In addition, he shed light on the Arab Reading Challenge initiative launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, praising Egyptian students who consistently top participation in this civilizational challenge.
Al Zaabi affirmed that the UAE does not view technology as an obstacle, but rather as a goal to be harnessed across all fields. He called on youth to use artificial intelligence tools for research and summarizing references, while not losing sight of the fact that “the human being is the center”. He reiterated that technology may write a text, but it will never possess the “wonder of discovery” or the emotional impact that words create in the reader’s soul.
He explained that the UAE supports “cultural digital transformation” through electronic platforms and smart libraries, based on the leadership’s vision that believes knowledge is a pillar of sustainable development, while fully preserving national identity and authentic values, in order to consolidate the country’s position as a global hub for cultural innovation.
The Ambassador concluded his speech by recalling a quote by the founding father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan (may his soul rest in peace): “The book is the vessel of knowledge and civilization, and nations are not measured by their material wealth alone, but by the authenticity of their civilization.” He extended his appreciation to the pioneers and participants of the Cairo International Book Fair and invited the public to visit the UAE pavilions to explore the latest intellectual productions.
His Excellency also praised the National Library and Archives for its interest in enriching knowledge societies, for which purposeful reading is the cornerstone. He noted that the content of its publications aligns with this approach by providing accurate information to readers, valuable and authentic thought, and biographies of national and humanitarian figures that embody ideal role models for generations.
For her part, writer Samah Abou Bakr Ezzat said that reading is the true passport for a child’s mind toward the future, noting that books remain the safest companion for shaping a child’s emotional world and protecting it from the distractions of the virtual world.
She added that entering the age of artificial intelligence does not mean abandoning the printed book; rather, it requires developing tools to attract the “iPad generation.” She emphasized that artificial intelligence is a means that lacks the “emotional sincerity” an author instills in a text, which makes the human touch in children’s literature irreplaceable by rigid algorithms. She also stressed the need for a “smart balance” that makes technology a servant of reading, not a substitute for it.

Dr. Hussein Hosny of Alghad TV observed that while technology moves at a breakneck pace, reading remains our “unfailing compass.” He emphasized that even as screens dominate our attention, the book remains the most authentic voice in a noisy world.
During his moderation of the seminar, he affirmed that the United Arab Emirates has presented an inspiring model by making culture a way of life and reading a mission. He pointed that since its founding by Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan (may his soul rest in peace), the UAE has believed that nations are not built by machines alone, but by the mind, the written word, and awareness, and that culture is not a luxury, but a protection of identity and an elevation of the human being.
He further noted that the UAE’s cultural evolution has reached new heights under President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, where reading is treated as a strategic civilizational policy. By prioritizing the human mind and its capacity to shape the future, the UAE embodies the timeless wisdom of its founder, Sheikh Zayed: “Knowledge is wealth, and we build the future on a scientific foundation.”