On 18 July each year, we proudly commemorate a pivotal moment in the history of the United Arab Emirates. It was the day on which the Declaration of the Union was signed in 1971, the UAE Constitution was adopted, and the official name of the United Arab Emirates was announced. On that day, the foundations were laid for the journey of the Union, ahead of the official establishment of the UAE on 2 December, marking the beginning of a nation whose leaders believed that unity was the path to development, and that investing in people and institutions was the most important investment in the future.

Marking this national occasion is not merely a remembrance of a historic milestone, but a celebration of the exceptional vision of the Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may God rest his soul, and his brothers, the Rulers of the Emirates. Through their unwavering determination, foresight, and spirit of unity, they embodied a unique model of leadership that transformed ambition into reality, turning a shared vision into a nation that today stands among the world's most advanced and competitive countries.

The past decades have demonstrated that the Declaration of the Union was not merely a unifying agreement, but the starting point of a national development journey that continues to evolve. It laid the foundations for a country distinguished by strong institutions, a diversified economy, and the ability to anticipate and shape the future. The continued achievements and leading global standing that we see today across various sectors are a natural extension of that vision, which placed people at the heart of development, made excellence a guiding approach, innovation an embedded culture, and ambition a way of working.

At the Federal Tax Authority (FTA), we continue to draw inspiration from these national values in everything we do, guided by our belief that the success of government institutions is one of the most important outcomes of the Union. The integration of roles among government entities, working together as one team, and building effective partnerships with the private sector are all an extension of the spirit of the Union established by the Founding Fathers, and remain a fundamental pillar of our nation's development journey.

From this standpoint, the Authority continues to fulfil its role as an integral part of the government ecosystem by developing a world-class tax system that supports financial sustainability, enhances the competitiveness of the national economy, and elevates the quality of government services, in line with the vision of our wise leadership and the objectives of "We the UAE 2031". Over the past years, the Authority has achieved qualitative leaps in digital transformation, the development of smart services, the simplification of procedures, the enhancement of voluntary compliance, and the improvement of customer experience, reflecting the UAE Government's approach to delivering proactive services defined by efficiency, innovation, and transparency.

These achievements would not have been possible without the Authority's employees, who represent the true cornerstone of its success. Through their knowledge, commitment, and sense of responsibility, every employee contributes to turning the leadership's vision into tangible results that support the national economy, serve the community, enhance customer trust, and contribute to building a more sustainable and prosperous future. The culture of collaboration, excellence, and responsibility that we take pride in within the Authority is not merely a set of institutional values, but a direct reflection of the national legacy left to us by the Founding Fathers.

On Union Pledge Day, we renew our pledge of loyalty and belonging to our wise leadership and reaffirm our commitment to continuing to work with dedication and efficiency, following in the footsteps of the Founding Fathers, to contribute to building more agile institutions, a more competitive economy, and a more prosperous future for generations to come.

The 18th day of July will remain a testament to the fact that the greatest achievements begin with a vision that believes in unity of purpose, and with a determination that refuses to recognise the impossible. The spirit of the Union will continue to inspire us at the FTA, as it does all the people of this nation, as we move forward together on the journey of achievement, preserve what has been accomplished, and contribute to shaping a future worthy of the United Arab Emirates, one that reflects the aspirations of its leadership, its people, and its future generations.

Abdulaziz Al Mulla

Director General of the Federal Tax Authority