The National Library and Archives Organized a Charity Bazaar - as part of its societal responsibility- With the Aim of Achieving its Employees Happiness
Within the framework of the National Library and Archives’ societal responsibility which it keenly performs and attaches great importance to, it organized in its Abu Dhabi HQ a charity bazaar, with the aim of achieving its employees’ happiness and supporting national and humanitarian projects. Various parties attended and participated in the Bazaar, most notably: The Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation for Humanitarian Works, and The Desert group for People of Determination, and Hekayat Books and Stationery, among others.
Mr. Farhan Al Marzouqi, Director of Corporate and Community Outreach Department at the National Library and Archives, inaugurated the bazaar, and commented on this event: "This societal, and humanitarian event is a great opportunity to communicate with various community groups within of the National Library and Archives’ activities in the framework of  its societal and community responsibility, stressing its leadership in community initiatives and projects participation; this bazaar is a clear demonstration of such role and mission, as it promotes employees’ happiness, and participating parties’ confidence in
marketing their products, especially the people of determination, thus, achieving happiness and joy for all, through revealing talents and creativity, and giving visitors the opportunity to explore and acquire heritage products.
Mr. Al Marzouki commended the National Library and Archives staff members’ role and contribution to spreading happiness that eases the work routine; pointing out that these contributions are a true reflection of the society values and reveal its creative side and considered that it is the duty of the National Library and Archives to encourage the participants an promote their exhibited high-quality goods or products.
It is noteworthy that the two-day charity bazaar at the National Library and Archives’ headquarters displayed numerous handicrafts, traditional dishes and cuisines, perfumes, incense, and natural potted plants in innovative and attractive forms, among many other products.

The National Library and Archives Organized a Charity Bazaar - as part of its societal responsibility- With the Aim of Achieving its Employees Happiness
Within the framework of the National Library and Archives’ societal responsibility which it keenly performs and attaches great importance to, it organized in its Abu Dhabi HQ a charity bazaar, with the aim of achieving its employees’ happiness and supporting national and humanitarian projects. Various parties attended and participated in the Bazaar, most notably: The Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation for Humanitarian Works, and The Desert group for People of Determination, and Hekayat Books and Stationery, among others.
Mr. Farhan Al Marzouqi, Director of Corporate and Community Outreach Department at the National Library and Archives, inaugurated the bazaar, and commented on this event: "This societal, and humanitarian event is a great opportunity to communicate with various community groups within of the National Library and Archives’ activities in the framework of  its societal and community responsibility, stressing its leadership in community initiatives and projects participation; this bazaar is a clear demonstration of such role and mission, as it promotes employees’ happiness, and participating parties’ confidence in
marketing their products, especially the people of determination, thus, achieving happiness and joy for all, through revealing talents and creativity, and giving visitors the opportunity to explore and acquire heritage products.
Mr. Al Marzouki commended the National Library and Archives staff members’ role and contribution to spreading happiness that eases the work routine; pointing out that these contributions are a true reflection of the society values and reveal its creative side and considered that it is the duty of the National Library and Archives to encourage the participants an promote their exhibited high-quality goods or products.
It is noteworthy that the two-day charity bazaar at the National Library and Archives’ headquarters displayed numerous handicrafts, traditional dishes and cuisines, perfumes, incense, and natural potted plants in innovative and attractive forms, among many other products.

In a specialized seminar within its cultural season 2022
The National Library and Archives shed light on competitiveness and building the knowledge economy
The National Library and Archives organized a seminar entitled "Competitiveness and Building the Knowledge Economy" as part of its cultural season 2022 and the participants focused on the UAE’s aspirations to be the best country in the world in various fields by its centenary in 2071. With that goal, the State continues its role in unleashing citizens’ full potentials, instilling the concept of competitiveness and promoting innovation and scientific research in all fields.
Distinguished speakers in the field of competitiveness, economy and knowledge participated in the seminar, shedding light on knowledge as a requisite in achieving comprehensive development.
H.E. Malik Al Madani, Acting Executive Director of the Competitiveness Sector at the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre, commenced by shedding light on the UAE's competitiveness file, and gave a presentation entitled "Knowledge for Prosperity". He pointed out that this file was initiated in 2009 within an institutional system, but the concept of competitiveness and development has existed since the establishment of the state at the hands of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and his fellow founding fathers aiming at a leading country. Hence, the United Arab Emirates has managed to achieve advanced ranks in more than 150 global indexes in various fields.
The speaker referred to the assertion of the UAE’s wise leadership, that the responsibility of the state competitiveness lies not only on the government, but it is rather shared between the government, the private sector and members of society, and the UAE’s wise leadership leads the culture of competitiveness.
Al-Madani then reviewed the main actions and integrated strategic objectives of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre, explaining that it checks the validity of data and statistics that reflect reality in order to develop from a solid ground. It also keeps pace with technology, and keenly plays the role of constructive strategic cooperation with national and international authorities.
Dr. Hind Al Tayer, Director of the Department of Science, Technology and Scientific Research at the Ministry of Education, reviewed the ministry's role in raising knowledge competitiveness in the university sector, and elaborated on the role of the UAE entrepreneurship system from the perspective of research and innovation in higher education. She also introduced the intersecting concepts, namely research and development, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
She, then, tackled the current trends of innovation and entrepreneurship in higher education institutions, and the entrepreneurship system from the perspective of research and innovation in higher education.
The speaker concluded by quoting the words of H.H Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum " We may not live for hundreds of years, but the products of our creativity can leave a legacy long after we are gone”.
It is noteworthy that the National Library and Archives has launched its cultural season for the current year 2022, and it is keen to address, in its monthly seminars, aspects of the UAE’s glorious history and its prosperous present, which has a great impact in strengthening belonging to the homeland and loyalty to its wise leadership, and provides followers with accurate and significant information and knowledge.

The National Library and Archives participated in the international conference organized by the Spanish University of Alicante with the aim of enhancing its corporate image as a scientific and academic research beacon, and highlighting its role in the translation field

The National Library and Archives participated in the International Conference on the Translation of Cultural References organized by the University of Alicante in November 2022, with a research paper entitled: "Translation of the UAE's historical heritage into foreign languages. Linguistic interfaces and Cross-cultural intricacies in the National Library and Archives’ translation projects."
This participation aims at achieving the National Library and Archives’ constant presence in international academic events to enhance its corporate image as a scientific research beacon, to highlight its role and efforts in strengthening civilizational and cultural dialogue, and building science and knowledge communication bridges to enhance the knowledge economy and bridge cultural gaps.  
On this participation, Mr. Hamad Al Hamiri, Director of Research and Knowledge Services Department, said: "We at the National Library and Archives encourage such academic participations that introduce and promote the National Library and Archives’ efforts in UAE's local historical and cultural heritage translation into foreign languages; especially English, French, Spanish, Russian, German, Portuguese and Hebrew. We also seek to translate foreign language books as well as chronicles, memoires, bulletins and documents, written by Western and Orientalist travelers who have since the nineteenth century frequently visited the UAE, which tackle the UAE history into Arabic, as well as notes of European diplomats who served in various foreign countries' embassies in the UAE for decades.
He added that the importance of this research presented by Professor Saddik Gouhar, Translation expert of the National Library and Archives, lies in the fact that it highlights the National Library and Archives’ "Tarjamat” or “Translations" project’s outputs employed in numerous publications in various languages. The National Library and Archives’ efforts continues enriching the knowledge and culture field with its International Translation Conference, which is preparing to hold its third edition next year. At the same time the Translation Section of the National Library and Archives and its UAE and International supporters always enrich Arab Libraries with new knowledge and advanced sciences and introduce to World Libraries the distinctive and pioneering UAE establishment and its auspicious Union experience.
Commenting on his participation in this international conference, Prof. Saddik Gouhar said: "My research-paper tackled inherent linguistic and cultural dilemmas in translating local and UAE-related historical and cultural texts into foreign languages due to cultural and linguistic traditions differences between the (Arabic) mother tongue and targeted foreign languages.
He added: The paper also discussed inherent obstacles faced during translating foreign historical texts on Emirati society written by Western travelers into Arabic, the research paper emphasized the great National Library and Archives translators’ efforts to adapt foreign texts, culturally and linguistically review and edit them to ensure they are accepted by Arab researchers and readers. Generally, the paper provided a comprehensive study of linguistic, semantic, rhetorical and cultural encountered problems and significant posed challenges to translators when translating historical texts. This research’s output on practicing translation of historical texts stress that the most difficult translators’ encountered challenges relate to various languages’ cultural and linguistic differences.
It is noteworthy that last September, Prof. Gouhar participated in the International Translation Conference organized by Vilnius University in the Republic of Lithuania under the slogan of "Translation, Ideology, Ethics: Response and Credibility", and enriched the conference with a research paper entitled: " Promoting the Translation Movement in the Middle East: National Library and Archives’ Initiatives in the UAE as a Model", in a significant National Library and Archives’ attempt to introduce and promote important aspects of its national events and achievements in global cultural circles.

Informing participants about its projects and its national role and the latest technologies and software
The National Library and Archives takes part in an important session in the Future Blockchain Summit

The National Library and Archives (NLA) participated in a dialogue session on the optimal use of advanced systems and technologies. The session was part of the program of the fifth edition of the Future Blockchain Summit, which is held concurrently with GITEX Global 2022.

Mr. Hamad Al-Mutairi, Director of the NLA’s Archives Department, concisely briefed the participants on the NLA’s history, strategic projects, available technical enablers, and the mechanisms and ways of using blockchain and artificial intelligence technologies in the field of organizing and managing documents and archives, and their role in addressing challenges and finding timely solutions.
The National Library and Archives informed participants about the ICA Abu Dhabi Congress 2023, which it will host in October 2023.
Al-Mutairi shed light on several strategies which the National Library and Archives has launched to address the usage of these technologies in addition to the advanced solutions in the field of developing the archival chain.
In his speech, the Director of the Archives Department focused on the establishment of the National Library and Archives, its vision and mission, the archive organizing stages, archival achievements, and the most important prominent projects, such as the AGDA project, the Centre for Preservation and Restoration, the academic certificates project with Sorbonne University, and international strategic projects. He also touched on the advanced technologies and software in the National Library and Archives that aim to preserve the memory of the nation for generations and make it available to researchers and those interested in the history and heritage of the UAE and the Gulf region.
The presentation also dealt with the archival series which involves collecting archives from entities, individuals and archives around the world, next treating damaged or destroyed historical documents of all kinds, then digitizing and indexing them, and finally preserving them, whether they are paper or electronic, in order to make them available to researchers and historians as well as the public via the Internet and smart platforms.
The presentation touched on the historical importance of the Congress of the International Council on Archives, and its hosting in Abu Dhabi in October 2023 under the slogan "Enriching Knowledge Societies", and the most prominent themes, topics, and contemporary and future archival issues that it will discuss, namely artificial intelligence and its role in supporting archival efforts, and archive-based sustainable knowledge that is one of the basic components of sustainable development, in addition to evidence and reliability in archives and record keeping, and the challenges it faces from social media and others.

The National Library and Archives enriches its cultural season with a seminar on UAE sports documentation in which distinguished experts and specialists of the field participated

Participants in the National Library and Archives organized seminar entitled: "UAE Sports Documentation" stressed that the sports sector has received unlimited support from the wise UAE leadership, following in the footsteps of the Founding Father and Builder Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. This seminar comes as part of the National Library and Archives’ cultural season 2022 activities.
The symposium participants pointed out that since the UAE establishment in 1971, the interest in establishing clubs and stadiums has been accompanied by an increase in the number of sports, national teams, and participation in international sports forums, where Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan’s vision for this field was reflected in establishing distinguished modern sports facilities and also in their increased number.
The Emirati writer and journalist Mohammed Al Joker talked about the importance of sports documentation, quoting Sheikh Zayed's words: "A nation that does not know its past cannot have a present or future" as documentation preserves the memory of the nation. He also stressed that the UAE leaders are athletic figures and sports movement advocates.
He discussed his sports documentation experience and pointed out that he has enriched the cultural and sports circles with nineteen books, most of which document the emergence and history of sports movement in the UAE, while some of these books were published by the National Library and Archives.

Mr. Mansour Abdullah, Chairman of Board of Directors of the Arab Football Association for Statistics  and Documentation,  then spoke about the professional and documentary importance of football chronological documentation, and reviewed his efforts since he was seventeen years old in documenting teams and athletes’ achievements, and his continuous reading and predictions in that field, which made him a leading Specialist and Data Analyst yielding important results and useful information to sports teams.
The seminar was concluded by Dr. Sultan bin Harmool Al Shamsi, who documented in his book "Unforgettable Memories" the beginnings of the UAE football where he accumulated his football memories from 1943 to 1974.
Al-Shamsi stressed that real football was introduced into the UAE through some Adeni clubs in 1943, where Sharjah teams played several matches in Sharjah against Adeni teams, in something similar to a sports league.
 It is noteworthy that the National Library and Archives seeks through its cultural season 2022 to present historical UAE topics in an easy way through which all people may benefit, and to allow public access to this culture to enhance future generations’ historical memory and national culture.
 

The National Library and Archives announced new national projects and specialized events and delivered a lecture on the strategic thinking of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan to the National Defense College visiting delegation

H.E. Abdullah Majed Al Ali, Director General, announced that the National Library and Archives shall soon be holding its first conference on oral history in November 2022.
In his speech, His Excellency stressed to the tenth batch of the National  Defense College guests, during their visit to the National Library and Archives’ headquarters, that the National Library and Archives, with its valuable holdings on the UAE history, contributes to establishing the knowledge economy which is currently the main pillar supporting economic growth, and the means through  which knowledge and technology are employed to provide distinctive and innovative marketable products or services.
His Excellency stressed the importance of overcoming any challenges faced in the process of archives organization, given the archives great significance and important role in establishing and promoting the UAE history.
His Excellency welcomed the guests and stressed the importance of employing great care for proper document handling and processing during the three different document life stages due to the documents’ great value, in line with Law No. 7 of 2008 on the National Library and Archives, and the approved and adopted international standards.
H.E. pointed out the National Library and Archives’ great interest in oral history due to its important role in covering the missing parts in the UAE written history.
H.E. added that over 900 interviews were conducted and preserved by the Oral History Archives, and that the National Library and Archives has published two editions of the book entitled "Their Memory Our History" based on these oral interviews, and the third edition shall be launched soon.
Dr. Husniya Al-Ali, Educational Programs Consultant at the National Library and Archives, delivered to the tenth batch of the National Defense College a lecture that tackled Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan’s strategic thinking, characteristics, and international stances that shaped and influenced his personality.  She elaborated on his statesmanship in establishing the Union, his exceptional ability to overcome challenges with his enlightened strategic thinking, and his unique and successful experience in establishing the federation.
She also referred to Sheikh Zayed's personality, his soft power, emotional intelligence, vision, strong-will, and ability to set priorities to focus on the most important then the less important issues.
She discussed Sheikh Zayed's foreign policy and his interest in human resources development, citizens empowerment in the scientific, political and military fields, and tackled his un-matched love for his people, and his keen interest in achieving their happiness.
The National Defense College delegation praised the Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Hall at the National Library and Archives, which attractively and innovatively presents significant aspects of the rich UAE history and civilization.
The visitors also commended the National Library and Archives’ role in preserving the memory of the nation and appreciated its warm reception and the great attention extended to the tenth batch of the National Defense College visitors.
The visit was concluded with a cordial exchange of shields between the National Library and Archives, and the National Defense College.

In collaboration with the Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi,
The National Library and Archives Offers the Students of Bachelor in Archiving a Practical Application on Documents and Records Management
The National Library and Archives received second-year students pursuing Bachelor in Records Management and Archival Sciences at Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi during their academic visit. They were briefed about the electronic documents and records management system, which provides best services according to the NLA’s strategy on current and intermediate documents and records management through the functional classification plan and file retention plan based on the applicable procedures stated in Federal Law No. (7) of 2008 on the National Library and Archives and its amendments along with its executive regulations.
H.E. Abdulla Majed Al Ali, Director General of the NLA, welcomed the students and encouraged them to excel in their specialization of records management and archival sciences. He stressed that working on preserving, indexing, classifying, documenting and archiving records and documents using scientific methods is a national duty that reflects the nation’s past and memory since those who do not benefit from the past’s experiences and learned lessons cannot make the best of their present and future. This is exactly what the Founding Father Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan meant when he said: “He who does not know his past cannot make the best of his present and future”. Thus, we rely on the youth to continue the mission of this national duty.
This visit comes as part of the close cooperation between the NLA and Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi to enhance the students’ applied knowledge in the field of documents management as it complements their study at the university and close the gap between students and the archival fieldwork.
Mr. Rachid Hamadache, from the Center’s Archives at the NLA, delivered a lecture; he started with identifying the “Documents and Records Management System” and how it provides an integral management of current and intermediate documents and their final stage by permanently preserving the historical archival materials or disposing them following the approval of the concerned committee.
He discussed the importance of this system in controlling the confidentiality of the current and intermediate records, files circulation procedures, reduction of paper work, organization of classification procedures, improvement of documents exchange between departments, facilitation of easy access and retrieval of documents, efficient management of data, provision of appropriate preservation conditions for long-term storage and use of state of art technologies in creating administrative and technical documents.
Moreover, he focused on the possible role of the artificial intelligence in supporting this system gradually, linking it with the internal systems and enhancing its functions by preserving, processing, classifying and retrieving information in accordance with the NLA’s objectives and in line with the best standards for preserving the government archives and records according to Federal Law No. (7) of 2008 on the National Library and Archives and its amendments along with its executive regulations.
It is noteworthy that the Electronic Archiving Section of the Archives Department at the NLA has coordinated and supervised this academic visit, and the first batch of students has graduated from the Bachelor in Records Management and Archival Sciences, which was launched in collaboration between the NLA and Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi to provide the UAE’s archives with national specialized cadres.

The National Library and Archives Concluding its Distinctive and Constructive Participation in Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition

The National Library and Archives concluded its participation in the 19th edition of Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Ruler's Representative in Al Dhafra Region and Chairman of the Emirates Falconers’ Club. The NLA’s platform at the exhibition has attracted a huge turnout of visitors. The NLA’s participation came as part of its national role in preserving the history and heritage of the UAE and the Gulf region and collecting the nation’s memory for the generations to come as well.
The platform contained tens of rare historical photographs that highlighted the interest of the UAE’s leaders in sport, heritage and their keenness to participate in heritage sports in addition to the hunting trips of Their Highnesses Sheikhs and horse races.
It also displayed photographs of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, demonstrating his interest in hunting and equestrian in the 1970s and 1980s at the Hunting and Equestrian Club in Abu Dhabi. There were also photographs of His Highness’s visit to Pakistan. Furthermore, the platform contained photographs of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
Moreover, the NLA’s platform presented photographs that showed how Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan was fond of horses, falcons and hunting. There was a large screen displaying documentary films about the Emirati heritage sports that attracted Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan’s attention along with some significant heritage races he attended.
A large board was exhibited at the NLA’s platform, displaying the services provided by the NLA to researchers and archival units at the UAE’s archival institutions. Such services include provision of publications, organization of archives, offering technical advice and the required scientific guidance on oral history and genealogical study and giving national lectures and specialized training workshops for researchers, academic staff and students. This is in addition to providing government entities, academic institutions and embassies with its publications, which highlight a glorious history, ancient heritage and noble national values.
The platform presented to visitors the NLA’s most remarkable publications, which provide historical information that is supported with documents and highlight the UAE’s heritage and authentic culture.

The National Library and Archives Presents Aspects of UAE’s History and Heritage to the World in Cooperation with Google Art & Culture.

The National Library and Archives launches on the Google Arts & Culture platform - a set of virtual stories that include documented information and high-quality photos of a number of historical castles and fortresses in the United Arab Emirates, in addition to the story of the “Memory of the Nation” exhibition, by which the National Library and Archives participates in Sheikh Zayd Festival. These stories include hundreds of photos drawn from the glorious history and ancient heritage of the United Arab Emirates. The National Library and Archives is looking forward to presenting more stories to enrich the platform with the history and the tangible and intangible heritage of the UAE.
This step has been made because of the significance of the UAE heritage and the need to throw a strong light on its features that indicate its values of authenticity and antiquity. It also aims to show the pride of the UAE people in their tangible and intangible human heritage.
The National Library and Archives wishes to benefit from the advanced modern technologies in preserving the deep-rooted  UAE heritage and providing an opportunity for the world to learn about it. It is a cultural landmark that links the past with the present.
The National Library and Archives chose Google Arts & Culture platform to present in it UAE historical and heritage stories in documented words, photos and multimedia, based as it observes the global status of this platform, which displays more than two thousand leading museums and archives around the world with the objective of spreading culture and arts across the world, and because of the achievements resulted from cooperation between the two parties when Google Arts & Culture published “The Story of the Union” as documented by the National Library and Archives in its platform in 2014, and for the views it had and the interaction with the Internet visitors and platform guests.
Regarding this qualitative step of the National Library and Archives, His Excellency Abdulla Majed Al Ali, Director General of the National Library and Archives, says: These chapters in the Google Arts & Culture platform confirm to those who browse them the importance of the role the National Library and Archives plays in preserving the memory of the nation and its efforts in making it available to the public and the importance of the electronic content it presents in this platform of which we are very proud. We would like to reassert to the world what His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum said: “The UAE is not an incidental nation in the history”. We are a deep-rooted people who built glories in the past, and who will build a glorious future as well...”.
He added: In line with the vision of our wise leadership, which made the UAE a symbol of open-mindedness and communication between civilizations, we present to the world, through these cultural chapters, a part of our urban civilization which promotes the prestige of our architectural heritage globally.
His Excellency also said: The National Library and Archives’ content in Google platform for culture and arts is the starting point of a national project that we are keen on its success and continuity. We, in the National Library and Archives have many historical photos and documentaries, which enable us to constantly add and publish new items.
It is noteworthy  that the National Library and Archives has chosen castles and fortresses to enrich the platform of Google Arts & Culture with their stories as they symbolize the glory and grandeur of our past, and the creativity of the Emirati people in the field of traditional architecture. The National Library and Archives’s interest in publishing these photos stems from their being part of the urban heritage left by our ancestors, the urban identity and our national history. The National Library and Archives is keen in using all programs and technologies to enrich the nation’s memory.
The National Library and Archives has shown interest in publishing the “Memory of the Nation” story at Sheikh Zayed Festival as it presents important aspects in the history of the emergence of the United Arab Emirates by the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan and his brothers, the Rulers of the Emirates and the development and prosperity of the UAE with the efforts and visions of its wise leadership.
For information, find the stories of the National Library and Archives on the link:
https://artsandculture.google.com/partner/national-archives-uae

Praising Sheikh Zayed's role in managing this wealth and employing it to the benefit of the UAE nation and society.
The National Library and Archives reviews important milestones in the history of oil
The National Library and Archives reviewed important milestones in the UAE’s oil history; Historian and media personality Dr. Khalil Eilabouni spoke about his twenty-year old "Black Gold" program, which carefully documented the discovery of oil and its industry development in Abu Dhabi in particular and in the United Arab Emirates in general.  He elaborated on Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan's management of this wealth to serve his country and his people.
During the lecture, which enriched the National Library and Archives Cultural Season 2022, Dr. Khalil Eilabouni praised the visions of the late Sheikh Zayed, the founder and builder, regarding this wealth on which the country depended for its renaissance. He spoke in detail about Sheikh Zayed's disapproval of the flaring of the associated gas, and his constructive efforts to set up a Liquefied Natural Gas LNG plant on Das Island to utilize the associated gas in 1977.
This confirms that Sheikh Zayed was an exceptional leader whose foresight and visions enabled him to search for parallel industrial, commercial and agricultural sources of income besides the oil wealth. Moreover, he encouraged the people of the Emirates to acquire more oil-related knowledge.
The lecturer recalled the days during which he was preparing to present his radio program "Black Gold" in February 1971, and then on television in May 1971, receiving directions from the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan personally, as well as his memorable comments and their remarkable impact on the progress of the program, which was grabbing viewers’ attention.
Dr. Ailbouni expressed his pride in witnessing the era of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who knew what he wanted, and was a wonderful, generous and humble leader who loved his country and his people sparing no effort in advancing them.
At the end of the lecture, His Excellency Abdulla Majed Al Ali, Director General of the National Library and Archives, honoured Dr Khalil Ailbouni, and presented him with a commemorative shield and a certificate of appreciation. He thanked him for the valuable information he provided in the fields of oil discovery and the management of oil wealth in the United Arab Emirates.
In his speech of introduction, researcher and lecturer Muhammad Ismail Abdullah, from the National Library and Archives, said that the discovery of oil is a turning point in the history of the Emirates, and the role played by the Builder and Founder, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan in employing this wealth to make his people happy confirms his love for his people and his country, as he proceeded to implement constructive plans for the development of the state until it became on par with the developed countries, and our wise leadership followed on his footsteps and managed this national wealth wisely and keenly in the best interest of the nation and posterity. Then, he went on to introduce the journalist and historian, Khalil Ailbouni, who came to Abu Dhabi in early 1971 and worked on its radio as a program monitor. He was known for his famous program "Black Gold", which aired for twenty years. He also served as the manager of the office of His Excellency Dr Mana Saeed Al-Otaiba, the former Minister of Petroleum. His media activities covered literature and poetry, and he has published many books, and has a weekly column in Al-Bayan newspaper. Today, he is the chairman of the Arabic language Institute at the Police College in Abu Dhabi.

The dialogue session on the sidelines of the conference discusses the National Library’s progress, charter and complete integrated collections
The National Library and Archives and the Arab Federation for Libraries and Information acknowledge the themes and research papers of the 33rd Conference

The National Library and Archives continues its preparations to host the 33rd Conference of the Arab Federation for Libraries and Information in Abu Dhabi, from October 31st to November 2nd, under the slogan "Integration of National Information and Knowledge Institutions in the State: Libraries, Archives and Museums", which will witness the participation of a large number of library specialists, academics, experts and officials from official and private libraries, archives and museums. The conference scientific committee praised the wide participation of researchers from different countries in the conference.

The conference will be a link with the strategic partners, and a dialogue session will be held on its sidelines to discuss the National Library’s Charter and complete integrated collections, which play a role in supporting the knowledge economy that contributes to sustainable cultural development.
Regarding the importance of the conference and the events that will be held on its sidelines, Mr. Hamad Alhamiri, Director of Research and Knowledge Services Department at the National Library and Archives said that the institutions engaged in the topics of the 33rd Conference of the Arab Federation for Libraries and Information are knowledge arenas, and they are among the most important edifices of knowledge, erudition, culture and civilization, so they are worthy of attention.
He added that the participants in the conference are specialists, experts, academics and officials coming from the largest local, Arab and international libraries. He stated that the NLA pins its hope on this conference, which constitutes a link with partners, and on the participants’ experiences and information.
Mr. Hamad Alhamiri confirmed that the NLA will hold a specialized professional dialogue session on the sidelines of the conference to provide an update on the decision to annex and establish the National Library, which is designed to be compatible with the largest national libraries worldwide, and a civilizational and cultural beacon for the United Arab Emirates, in accordance with the Federal Law No. 13 issued at the end of 2021, as its articles brought together the National Library and the National Archives under one umbrella.
Mr. Hamad Alhamiri indicated that, at the dialogue session, the NLA looks forward to discussing the partners’ needs for a plan to build up the National Library’s collection in a manner that contributes positively to the Knowledge economy to achieve sustainable development of societies. The NLA’s interests include enriching the National Library with paper and electronic research papers and dissertations especially those dealing with the history and heritage of the UAE and the Gulf region with a view to meeting the needs of scholars, academics, researchers, interested parties and the public.
Prof. Dr. Hassan Alsuraihi, Chairman of the Arab Federation for Libraries and Information indicated that the Federation is happy to hold its conference in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, which represents a civilizational and cultural beacon attracting international cultural events.
He added that the conference is concerned with scientific and knowledge content incorporated in innovative ideas, projects and initiatives, and gives the participants an opportunity to present their intellectual and cultural output within the framework of its themes; thus; the 33rd conference of the Arab Federation for Libraries and Information will certainly be rich and useful and a real contribution to the development of the knowledge economy. Besides, major international figures will attend it.
In its dialogue session, the conference will discuss the National Library Charter, which defines a policy for managing, developing and diversifying its cultural content, including books, periodicals, maps, multimedia, and others.
It is worth mentioning that various topics will be discussed at the 33rd conference of the Arab Federation for Libraries and Information, namely, National Library in the third millennium and its future role; National archives, documentation centers and museums in the third millennium and the future roles, policies and strategies of information and knowledge in the country; Information and knowledge institutions’ role in supporting national development plans and visions; National libraries and alliances with national, regional and international professional institutions; Integration of functions and tasks between national libraries, archives and museums; National libraries and their role in preserving national heritage, National libraries’ role in developing legislation and laws on information and knowledge; National libraries’ role in supporting national policies and strategies for the knowledge economy; New technologies’ role and impact on the functioning of national knowledge institutions (libraries, archives and museums); New trends in content management systems, digitization and management of national museums, archives and libraries, in addition to several workshops and specialized sessions that will take place at the conference.