The UAE has officially declared 2026 the Year of the Family, underscoring the country's commitment to strengthening family bonds and supporting long-term family growth. Each year since 2016, the UAE has adopted a themed focus guiding national policies, initiatives, and projects across all seven emirates — and 2026 will shine a spotlight on the pivotal role of the family in society.
Focus on Family Growth and Stability
President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan announced the theme on November 6, 2025, during the UAE Government Annual Meetings, emphasising that the family is the cornerstone of Emirati society. The Year of the Family 2026 aims to foster unity, empathy, and cooperation, ensuring these values are maintained across generations.
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed highlighted that strong families are vital for the UAE's identity, continuity, and national security. He paid tribute to the UAE's Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who viewed the family as a central pillar of a resilient society.
Policies and Initiatives to Expect in 2026
The themed year will shape events, government policies, and initiatives throughout the UAE. Following the Year of Community in 2025, 2026 will introduce family-centric programmes designed to support families across education, safety, and digital wellbeing.
A key initiative already in effect is the Federal Decree-Law on Child Digital Safety (No. 26/2025), which came into force on 1 January 2026. It introduces:
- Age-verification mechanisms for digital platforms - Age-restriction tools for online content - Controls to block and filter inappropriate material - Guidelines limiting targeted advertising to children
These measures ensure that families can safeguard children while continuing to benefit from digital innovation. Digital platforms and ISPs — including foreign providers targeting UAE users — have until January 2027 to achieve full compliance.
Strengthening Families Across the UAE
The Year of the Family 2026 aligns with the National Family Growth Agenda 2031, underscoring the UAE's long-term vision for family wellbeing. A national task force comprising over 20 federal and local government bodies has been established to drive the agenda forward across three tracks: policy and programme reform, behavioural interventions, and reproductive health.
Citizens and residents can expect a series of nationwide events, workshops, and campaigns designed to highlight the importance of family cohesion and reinforce the family's role as a foundation of prosperity and stability.
With this focused approach, the UAE continues to position itself as a global leader in family-oriented policies, ensuring that strong, supportive households remain at the heart of its national development.
