UAE President Declares 2026 As Year Of The Family Under National Family Growth Agenda 2031
President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan participated in a session on the National Family Growth Agenda 2031 during the 2025 Annual Government Meetings in Abu Dhabi. This session gathered senior officials and leaders from various federal and local entities to discuss the agenda's objectives and strategies.
To further the goals of the National Family Growth Agenda 2031, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed declared 2026 as the Year of the Family. This initiative aims to highlight the significance of strong family bonds among UAE citizens and residents. It also seeks to promote values like unity, empathy, and cooperation, which are integral to Emirati society, ensuring these values are passed down to future generations.
A national task force has been established to implement the agenda, involving over 20 federal and local government bodies focused on family growth. The agenda is structured around three main pathways: policies and programmes, behavioural interventions, and reproductive health. These pathways aim to address various aspects of family growth comprehensively.
The first pathway involves evaluating existing policies and programmes that impact family growth directly or indirectly. The second pathway focuses on understanding social and behavioural factors influencing family growth through interviews with Emirati families nationwide. The third pathway examines current reproductive health initiatives, identifying challenges and exploring solutions.
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed emphasised that Emirati families are central to the nation's identity, continuity, and security. He stated that strong families are crucial for the UAE's long-term prosperity, making family growth a national priority. He also mentioned Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan's belief in families as society's cornerstone.
During his remarks, Sheikh Mohamed highlighted that establishing the Ministry of Family was due to recognising families' vital role in society. The ministry is tasked with creating national strategies supporting family growth while promoting values, national identity, and responsible upbringing rooted in Emirati traditions.
Collaborative Efforts for National Goals
Sheikh Mohamed stressed that addressing family growth challenges requires collaboration across all sectors, including government, private sector, and community. He pointed out that this responsibility extends beyond just the Ministry of Family but involves a collective national effort.
The 'UAE Year Of' initiative launched in 2015 continues to unite residents around shared national priorities through storytelling rooted in local culture. In 2026, it will focus on highlighting families' central role in society's stability and prosperity.
Sheikh Mohamed underscored the importance of sectors like healthcare, education, housing, economy, and media in supporting national initiatives. He called for a unified narrative emphasising families' central role while raising public awareness about their importance.
He concluded by affirming that family growth is crucial for shaping the nation's present and future. Through collaboration and shared responsibility, he expressed confidence that national goals can be achieved for societal benefit while reinforcing national identity.
The session was attended by several dignitaries including H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan; H.H. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi; H.H. Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi; H.H. Lieutenant General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan; Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan; H.H. Sheikha Maryam bint Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan; H.H. Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum; Sana bint Mohammed Suhail; along with other Sheikhs, ministers, senior officials and specialists in family development affairs.
With inputs from WAM
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