The Board of Directors of the National Archives held its first meeting after the new board formation where members discussed the strategic and operational plans as well as the key programmes and initiatives to be implemented in 2018.

The Board of Directors expressed its gratitude to H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, for selecting the members of the board chaired by Hamad Abdulrahman Al Midfa.

During the meeting, they selected the directors and members of various committees. Al Midfa stressed the important role of the National Archives in preserving the nation's memory, making documents and records available to decision-makers and scholars, and documenting the historical heritage of the UAE.

He highlighted that in the coming period the National Archives will face a series of challenges in collecting and preserving the archives of government institutions, especially since the Project of the Conservation and Restoration Centre is about to be completed. He further underlined the importance of achieving the goals of the National Archives, which is preserving the history of the country's institutions since their establishment.

The board presented the role, mission and vision of the National Archives, the important phases in its history, its achievement in preserving documents and records for nearly 50 years since it was established in 1968, based on the directives of the founding leader, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

The board also highlighted the significance of innovation and complying with the UAE Strategy and Vision 2021 and promoting national identity.