Sustainability in the UAE: A lifestyle and established values ​​passed down through generations

Sustainability in the UAE has been a way of life for our ancestors and fathers since ancient times, who succeeded in adapting to their surroundings and environment, and preserving their natural resources, despite their almost total dependence on them in various aspects of their daily lives.

Over time, sustainability has become an integral part of the cultural and heritage heritage of the UAE, which has received special attention since the era of the founding leader, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may God bless his soul, until today under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, may God protect him, who believes that protecting achievements and continuing their path requires achieving a balance between modernity and preserving the heritage of authentic customs and values ​​of society.

The UAE has a long history of constructive initiatives and practices to promote sustainability at the local and global levels, crowned by His Highness the President of the State declaring 2023 the Year of Sustainability; to highlight the country's rich heritage in this field, and then His Highness's directive to extend the "Year of Sustainability" initiative to include 2024 as well.

The UAE is striving to preserve the legacy of sustainability and pass it on in all its details to current and future generations, through a range of methods and means, most notably museums that are full of collections that embody the status of environmental sustainability in Emirati society throughout history; as there are about 55 government museums in the UAE, in addition to dozens of private museums, villages, clubs and heritage associations.

Museums spread across the country stand out as sustainable cultural and heritage facades that reflect the heritage and identity of the people of the Emirates and their ancient history. At the same time, they form a bridge linking the past to the present, and cultural landmarks that reflect the extent of the UAE’s success in adopting and applying the latest global trends and ideas in the concept of cultural sustainability.

Among the most important museums in the country are the Union Museum, which narrates the history of the Emirates, the Maritime Museum in Abu Dhabi, the Saruq Al Hadid Archaeological Museum, the Sharjah Art Museum, the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization, the Ras Al Khaimah National Museum, the Ajman Museum, and the Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain Museums.

In addition to their role in simulating history and heritage, the UAE museums highlight a passion for the future and the strength of the unique ideas of the people of this generous nation, as they represent sustainable facades with a positive impact on the structure of the third millennium society, and play a direct role in creating and formulating policies of cooperation and understanding between peoples, in addition to their role in building bridges of cultural and intellectual communication between peoples and promoting the values ​​of tolerance and dialogue.

The Louvre Museum, on Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi, is a unique platform for displaying the authenticity of local and Arab heritage, while celebrating modernity and intellectual contemporaneity in the region, while the cultural area on the island includes the Guggenheim Museum, which will be one of the main achievements in the cultural, artistic and creative scene in the Emirates when it is inaugurated.

The Zayed National Museum, currently under development, celebrates the UAE’s rich history and culture, while the Natural History Museum project was launched in March 2022, taking visitors on an inspiring journey through time to discover 13.8 billion years of natural history, telling the story of the evolution of our world, allowing them to learn about the origins of the universe and find solutions for planet Earth from a perspective that stimulates thinking about the future prospects of planet Earth and ensuring a sustainable future for it.

The Museum of the Future in Dubai is ranked among the best future museums in the world, and is an engineering icon and architectural masterpiece that gives its visitors an imaginary view of life in the UAE in 2071, the year it will celebrate its first centenary.

In parallel with its interest in tangible heritage, the UAE has treated intangible heritage as an intellectual and creative treasure that enhances the concept of sustainability. From this standpoint, it has become the first in the Arab world and the seventh in the world in terms of the number of elements included in the UNESCO lists of intangible human heritage, and has registered 14 of its own elements included in the international list.

The UAE has issued many legislations that enhance the protection and sustainability of cultural and heritage heritage, most notably Federal Law No. 11 of 2017 on the preservation of fixed antiquities in the country with the aim of enhancing national identity, preserving cultural heritage, discovering and excavating antiquities, prohibiting construction in archaeological sites, and imposing severe penalties on Tampere's, manipulators, and antiquities traffickers with the aim of reviving and enriching the country's national heritage.

Many government departments and agencies are responsible for supervising archaeological and heritage sites, providing the necessary protection, and ensuring their restoration, rehabilitation, and sustainability, while heritage associations, villages, and clubs spread across the country’s cities continue their role in preserving the authentic Emirati heritage in its various marine, desert, and mountainous environments for future generations. Hundreds of personal initiatives, in which many citizens transform their private residences into heritage villages and personal museums, are welcomed by the relevant authorities, as they express their passion for the cultural and popular heritage of the UAE, and their sincere desire to contribute to its sustainability.