Doha, December 01 (QNA) - The United Arab Emirates (UAE) celebrates its 54th National Day tomorrow, coinciding with December 2 each year, as the country celebrates major achievements realized throughout 2025 across various economic and development sectors.
On December 2, 1971, the rulers of the Emirates of Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, and Fujairah united to establish a modern federal state under a provisional constitution that organized the country's administrative and legislative framework. Ras Al Khaimah joined the union on Feb. 10, 1972, thus completing the federation and ushering in a new era of nation-building and development.
Today, under the leadership of HH President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE continues its journey towards progress and prosperity, an extension of the historic decision taken by the founding leaders 54 years ago. The spirit of the Union, established on that date, continues to guide all aspects of development in the UAE, propelling it forward under its wise leadership and achieving new gains each day across economic, social, and humanitarian fields, further strengthening its regional and global standing.
This year, the UAE's National Day celebrations coincide with HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan's announcement last January designating 2025 as the "Year of the Community" under the theme "Hand in Hand," a national initiative that reflects the leadership's vision for building a cohesive and thriving society.
The Year of the Community focuses on unlocking the potential and capabilities of individuals, families, and institutions by developing skills, nurturing talent, and encouraging innovation across various fields, including entrepreneurship and future industries such as artificial intelligence, alongside other national priorities aimed at fostering inclusive growth and lasting positive impact that supports the nation's development story.
The UAE continues to advance its development journey through "Vision 2031", a new national action plan focused on social, economic, investment, and environmental development over the coming decade. The plan aims to solidify the UAE's position as a global partner and an attractive economic hub, build a cohesive and progressive society, uphold an advanced rule-of-law system, and strengthen the country's ranking as one of the world's leading nations in safety and security.
During 2025, the UAE economy continued its upward trajectory, becoming one of the fastest-growing economies globally, with the International Monetary Fund projecting growth of 4.8 percent. Non-oil foreign trade reached AED 1.7 trillion in the first half of the year, representing a 24.5 percent increase, while the country approved its largest federal budget to date for 2026, amounting to AED 92.4 billion. The government also launched the National Investment Strategy 2031 and rolled out the UAE Global Trade Hub program aimed at attracting 1,000 international companies.
The tourism sector's contribution to the national GDP rose by 13 percent, reaching AED 257.3 billion, while hotel establishments received more than 16.1 million guests during the first half of 2025. This year also witnessed the launch of several long-term strategies in areas including cybersecurity, talent acquisition, bureaucracy reduction, volunteerism, and the National Family Growth Agenda 2031. 

Furthermore, the year 2025 has been a remarkable chapter in the UAE's record, marked by major achievements at home and abroad. The country attained a prominent position in global competitiveness rankings, and in indicators related to security, the economy, innovation, renewable energy, artificial intelligence, and quality of life, advancing into the ranks of the world's leading nations in soft power.
In the 2025 World Competitiveness Ranking report, issued by the World Competitiveness Center of Switzerland-based International Institute for Management Development (IMD), the UAE ranked fifth globally, joining the world's top four nations in economic competitiveness, government efficiency, legislative strength, and business environment. It also placed first globally in the absence of bureaucracy, second in adaptability, and fourth in government efficiency.
The UAE further ranked ninth worldwide among the top ten countries in digital performance. It also entered, for the first time, the list of the top ten countries in the 2025 World Talent Ranking issued by the IMD in Lausanne, ranking ninth among 69 global economies, a significant jump of eight places compared to its ranking the previous year.
The country advanced seven places in the business efficiency pillar, ranking third globally, and maintained its outstanding performance in the economic performance and government efficiency pillars, ranking second and fourth globally, respectively.
According to UNCTAD's World Investment Report 2025, the UAE ranked tenth globally as the largest destination for inward foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows, recording an unprecedented level of AED 167.6 billion (USD 45.6 billion) in 2024.
In 2025, the UAE achieved a revolution in artificial intelligence (AI) and the digital economy, with AI tool adoption reaching 97 percent and the number of programmers exceeding 450,000.
The year also witnessed the inauguration of the UAE-US AI Campus with a capacity of 5 gigawatts, the signing of a UAE-France cooperation framework, the launch of a global cybersecurity center of excellence in partnership with Google, and a USD 1 billion global initiative to support AI projects in Africa.
Infrastructure and urban development projects continued to advence, including the high-speed rail project between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, a AED 170 billion national road plan, and major projects in transportation, water, and energy, in addition to large-scale housing expansions in various regions.
On this occasion, remarkable festivities are taking place across the UAE under the theme "United," as government buildings, streets, public squares, and shopping centers are decorated with national flags, lights, and displays that reflect the spirit of the national occasion and highlight the accompanying community activities and events. (QNA)