President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed announced on Wednesday, October 28, that January 7 will be marked annually as "Zayed the Founder Day," a new national occasion honouring the legacy, vision and humanitarian service of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the UAE's founding father. the day is intended to keep Sheikh Zayed's values guiding the nation's progress for generations to come. Sheikh Zayed united the seven emirates to form the UAE on December 2, 1971, and served as the country's first president until his death in 2004.
During his presidency, the UAE's humanitarian and development aid exceeded Dh90 billion, reaching 117 countries represented at the United Nations, a record regularly cited as central to his global legacy of generosity and international cooperation.
Other senior UAE leaders, including Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Vice President of the UAE, issued statements welcoming the announcement and underlining the importance of embedding Sheikh Zayed's legacy in the country's national memory.
The Founder's Office, established in February 2026, is tasked with preserving and promoting Sheikh Zayed's legacy through a dedicated national framework, and the new commemorative day forms part of that coordinated effort to pass his values on to future generations.