About National Library and Archives

The National Library and Archives, previously known as the National Archives, and previously the National Center for Documentation and Research (NCDR), was established in 1968, upon directives from the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al-Nahyan, originally under the name of the “Documents and Research Bureau'' and was affiliated with Al Diwan Al Amiri (the Ruler’s Court). In just over forty years, the National Archives has achieved a pioneer status as the first of its kind in the Middle East and the sixth in the world following its adoption of the latest technologies available to accomplish its mission. It is one of the oldest cultural institutions in the United Arab Emirates and the largest documentation center in the Arabian Gulf Region. In addition to its role in documentation and archiving, the National Archives provides intellectuals with a variety of publications that explore both authentic cultural and contemporary issues in history and heritage.