UAE Year Of
UAE Year Of initiative
Launched in 2015, the UAE Year Of is a national storytelling initiative that brings everyone who calls the UAE home together around shared priorities, inspiring collective action aligned with annual national directions. The initiative unites government entities, the private sector, and the wider community around a common national purpose.
It is overseen by His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court, alongside Her Highness Sheikha Mariam bint Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairperson of the Presidential Court for National Projects.
Year of Family
Following the directive of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, 2026 has been designated as the Year of Family.
Grounded in a shared sense of identity, the Year of Family aims to nurture family closeness, support growth, and help lay the foundations for confident and capable generations. Under the slogan "Growing in Unity", it sheds light on the everyday moments and efforts that strengthen family wellbeing and shape a shared future rooted in authenticity, openness, and belonging.
OUR JOURNEY
2015
Year of Innovation
The Year of Innovation encouraged and enabled private and public sectors to cultivate and collectively work towards transforming the country into a global leader in innovation and technology. The theme served as a strong catalyst for the country's innovative capabilities and social and economic development.
2016
Year of Reading
The Year of Reading aimed to advance literacy as a national priority. An integrated national literacy framework was created to produce a reading generation and establish the UAE as a centre for cultural and knowledge exchange, with March being announced as the annual Reading Month in the UAE.
2017
Year of Giving
The Year of Giving promoted the culture of giving back to the community and enhancing the spirit of volunteering and loyalty to one’s country. The theme mirrorred the UAE's commitment to helping others without expecting anything in return and reiterated the UAE’s position as the world’s top humanitarian donors.
2018
Year of Zayed
The Year of Zayed marked 100 years since the birth of our Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. The year focused on highlighting the role of the late leader in establishing the UAE Federation and invited everyone to continue embodying the values he instilled in the nation.
2019
Year of Tolerance
The Year of Tolerance aimed to create a tolerant society by promoting coexistence and upholding the values of dialogue and respect. The theme reflected the UAE’s mission to be a communication bridge between countries and different cultures of the world.
2020
Year of Towards the next 50
The UAE announced that 2020 was the Year that propelled the nation Towards the Next 50. It focused on launching one of the largest national strategies for the next 50 years and preparing for the nation's Golden Jubilee celebrations in 2021.
2021
Year of 50th
The Year of the 50th marked the UAE's Golden Jubilee, honouring five decades of unity and achievement since the founding of the country. The theme saw year-long celebrations while shaping forward-looking strategies and initatives to continue the nation's legacy of ambition, progress, and collective pride.
2023
Year of Sustainability
The first Year of Sustainability aimed to inspire behavioural change towards sustainable practices and collective action. Under the slogan “Today for Tomorrow", it fostered public participation in three key areas: responsible consumption, encouraging conservation initiatives, and mitigating climate change.
2024
Year of Sustainability
The second Year of Sustainability, established in 2023, was built on the awareness to drive behavioural change and create lasting impact. Under the slogan “Plan to Action”, the year encouraged adopting practical, everyday behaviours in four key areas: green transportation, saving water and energy, responsible consumption, and planting wisely.
2025
Year of Community
The Year of Community was rooted in the UAE’s values of ambition and humanity, optimism and resilience, and authenticity and openness. It invited everyone who calls the UAE home to come together to unite, contribute, and grow, building a more connected and inclusive society under the theme “Hand in Hand”.