Dubai: After 30 days of activities marked by national pride and community spirit, Brand Dubai, the creative arm of the Government of Dubai Media Office, has drawn the curtain on the second edition of the National Month celebrations. Launched under the directives of H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Media Council, the campaign was organised in collaboration with more than 250 government, semi-government, and private entities.
According to Emirates News Agency, Mona Ghanem Al Marri, Vice Chairperson and Managing Director of the Dubai Media Council and Director General of the Government of Dubai Media Office, stated that the month's events captured the nation's shared sense of belonging and pride. She expressed gratitude to the strategic partners whose support ensured the success of a programme designed to reinforce the values that form the UAE's social and cultural core - loyalty, identity, and unity.
Al Marri highlighted the exceptional scale of public engagement from both citizens and residents, which was a clear measure of the campaign's success. The outcomes of the campaign reflect the strong connection people have with the UAE's vision and progress and how its national priorities are increasingly understood and recognised across society. She emphasized that leadership continues to encourage initiatives that inspire society, empower youth, and strengthen the national identity.
Shaima Al Suwaidi, Director of Brand Dubai, noted the extensive collaboration among government and semi-government organisations as a vital factor in the success of National Month. This collaboration reflects Dubai's longstanding one-team ethos. The initiative served to deepen national identity and unite society around a shared message: every individual is a partner in shaping the future envisioned by the Founding Fathers. Al Suwaidi further stated that national occasions provide an opportunity to recall the remarkable efforts of a generation that laid the country's foundations with foresight and resolve.
The campaign achieved significant outreach, with an estimated 2.9 billion people reached, over 75 million video views, and more than 160,000 posts across digital media platforms.
Sara Merdas, a member of the organising committee, mentioned that the campaign helped present national celebrations in a way that tells the story of the Union and the UAE's ongoing progress. She said Brand Dubai views investment in creativity as an investment in people and the future of the country, noting that National Month provided a valuable boost to small businesses and entrepreneurs from the Proudly from Dubai initiative, with more than 150 homegrown ventures contributing to the celebrations.
The National Month began with Flag Day celebrations on 3rd November. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, raised the UAE flag at the iconic Gate Building in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). The building's fa§ade was adorned with a large-scale artwork developed by Brand Dubai in cooperation with DIFC, featuring Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid, combining symbols of the UAE's past with motifs of its ambitions in innovation, space, and other fields. Another highlight was the Flag Garden in Umm Suqeim 2, featuring 11,000 flags arranged to form a 60x90 metre portrait of the two Founding Fathers, drawing thousands of citizens, residents, and tourists.
Celebrations spanned across the city, including decorated Dubai Metro carriages on the Red Line and a performance by the Firdaus Women's Orchestra at Expo City Dubai's House of Arts, inspired by a poem by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Brand Dubai also unveiled a large-scale ground installation near Dubai Frame, featuring a joint portrait of Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid.
The month concluded with the Al Etihad Parade, organised by Brand Dubai in cooperation with the Dubai Events Security Committee and the Community Development Authority. Held on 2nd December, the parade included more than 500 vehicles and marked the UAE's journey of unity and ambition, starting at Union House and ending at Burj Al Arab.
