Later this month, the UAE will celebrate Union Pledge Day — a national occasion that honours the country’s founding. It will be observed on Friday, July 18, making this the second time the event is officially recognised.
First announced in 2024 by HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, Union Pledge Day commemorates a historic meeting held in 1971. This meeting brought together the founding leaders of the emirates, where they signed the UAE constitution, declared the union, and chose the country’s name: the United Arab Emirates.
While Union Pledge Day is officially recognised as a national occasion, it is not listed as a public holiday under the UAE’s public holiday law introduced in early 2025.
So far, there is no nationwide day off expected for Friday, July 18. However, local governments have the authority to announce additional holidays at their discretion, so any official time off would be up to emirate-level decisions.
Union Pledge Day is now one of four official national occasions in the UAE:
- Union Pledge Day – July 18
- Flag Day – November 3
- Commemoration Day – November 30
- National Day (Eid Al Etihad) – December 2
Union Pledge Day is a reminder of the country’s beginnings — a moment to reflect on the values that led to the formation of the UAE. Even if it’s not a public holiday, it remains a key date in the national calendar.
