The Arab League Secretariat General honoured the UAE National Archives, NA, during its celebrations of the Arab Document Day on Wednesday for its role in collecting, preserving and documenting history and heritage of UAE and the GCC countries.

The NA, part of the Ministry of Presidential Affairs, was established in 1968 with a vision to become a leader in providing distinctive archival, documentation and research services. Its mission is to preserve the heritage of the UAE; provide decision-makers and public with trusted information; and to enhance civic spirit and national identity through the values of confidentiality, trust, accessibility excellence and team spirit.

Juma Mubarak Al Junaibi, UAE Ambassador to the Arab Republic of Egypt and Permanent Representative to Arab League, received the trophy during the ceremony which was held in Cairo in the attendance of Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary-General of the Arab League, Juma Al Majid, Chairman of Juma Al Majid Center for Culture and Heritage, Salah Salem Al Mahmoud, Director-General of Sharjah Documents and Archives Authority (SDAA), and a number officials, researchers and historians.

Addressing the ceremony, Aboul Gheit called for maximising efforts to protect Arab cultural heritage from destruction, plunder and theft which increased over the recent years during internal wars and conflicts in some Arab countries.

''Terrorist and extremist groups have destroyed valuable human heritage in countries experiencing wars,'' he said.

This year’s celebration of the Arab National Day was held under the theme ''The Palestinian Cause: 100 Years of Balfour Declaration and 50 Years of Israeli Occupation.'' He also opened a photo exhibition on the Palestinian Cause and heritage.

Arab Document Day is an annual celebration held to highlight the status of the Arab document that keeps in its records Arab national rights.