National Archives and Library urges digitisation and private deposits to safeguard UAE national memory
National Archives and Library urges digitisation, backups and private-archive deposits to protect UAE documentary heritage and preserve national memory.
The Director-General of the National Archives and Library, Dr. Abdullah Majid Al Ali, told a session in Abu Dhabi that documents are the cornerstone of preserving national memory and identity. The event, held in cooperation with Khalifa City Municipality under the title “The Document and National Memory: Crises and Prospects,” highlighted the need for proactive preservation as nations face risks from conflict and natural disaster. Dr. Al Ali said that what is news today can become a vital historical record tomorrow, and urged systematic documentation and safeguarding to serve researchers, legal processes and future decision-making.
The document’s role in legal and historical verification
Dr. Al Ali emphasized that archival documents perform more than a retrospective function; they serve as legal evidence and as the factual basis for national positions in international forums. He pointed out that reliable historical papers have resolved many international disputes and that their absence during crises can weaken a country’s ability to assert rights. The session stressed that loss of archival material, whether through war, environmental disaster or neglect, represents an irreversible erosion of national memory.
Origins and mandate of the National Archives and Library
Established in 1968 under directives from the UAE’s Founder, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the National Archives and Library was created to collect, preserve and make accessible the documentary record of the nation. Dr. Al Ali outlined the institution’s mandate to contribute to cultural and historical awareness and to hold a comprehensive body of materials documenting life in the UAE and the Gulf. Over decades the repository has expanded its holdings to include government records, private papers and multimedia that chronicle social, economic and political developments.
Digitisation, backups and distributed preservation strategies
A central theme of the session was the adoption of proactive policies for document protection, including digitisation and the creation of redundant backups. Dr. Al Ali urged the establishment of distributed preservation centers and robust risk-management plans to ensure continuity in the event of localized loss. He recommended that digitisation be paired with metadata standards and secure storage practices, so that digital surrogates remain reliable and discoverable for legal and scholarly use.
Risk management and preparedness in times of crisis
Speakers at the session warned that inadequate planning leaves archives vulnerable during emergencies, and called for integrated emergency response protocols across cultural institutions and municipalities. Dr. Al Ali advocated for regular audits, disaster-response training and international cooperation to address cross-border risks. He also noted that preparedness measures should include public awareness campaigns that underline the civic value of documentary heritage.
Private archives and the call for deposit and restoration
The National Archives and Library renewed a call for owners of private archives to deposit their collections for restoration, digitisation and long-term preservation. Dr. Al Ali said private holdings often fill gaps in the official record and are essential to a complete national memory, particularly for researchers and heritage professionals. He encouraged collectors, families and organizations to engage with archival staff to ensure materials are stabilized and made accessible in ways that respect owners’ rights and provenance.
Launch and scope of the national encyclopedia project
The session also featured discussion of the Encyclopedia of the History of the United Arab Emirates, described by Dr. Al Ali as the first comprehensive national scientific encyclopedia documenting the country’s history from prehistoric times to the present. The project aims to present topics in a rigorous, objective manner, covering political, social and cultural achievements across eras. Organizers said the encyclopedia will draw on diverse archival sources and is intended as a reference for scholars, educators and the general public.
Efforts to modernize preservation practices at the National Archives and Library reflect a broader regional and global trend toward safeguarding documentary heritage against accelerating risks. Officials emphasized collaboration among government bodies, municipalities and private archive holders to build resilient systems that protect both physical and digital records. As the UAE continues to document rapid social and economic change, the National Archives’ appeal for coordinated preservation measures underlines the enduring value of documents as evidence, memory and a basis for future governance.