ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)
The 5th Abu Dhabi Family Forum, organised by the Family Development Foundation as part of the Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Excellence and Community Intelligence Programme, under the theme The Family: A Place of Belonging and Stability, presented an exceptional model that received wide community acclaim.
The fifth edition of the forum witnessed strong engagement and broad appreciation from various segments of society, delivering over several days an integrated experience that embodied its mission to enhance family quality of life and entrench values of cohesion and stability.
Through high-quality programmes and interactive activities, the forum addressed the needs of families across all segments, strengthened community awareness, and helped build a supportive environment that reinforces the family’s position as the cornerstone of societal stability and cohesion.
Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Family Development Foundation, His Excellency Ali Salem Al Kaabi, affirmed that the fifth edition of the Abu Dhabi Family Forum marked an important community milestone, successfully achieving its noble objectives of serving the family and enhancing its stability and quality of life, reflecting the UAE’s vision of building a cohesive and sustainable society.
He extended his highest thanks and appreciation to Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Mother of the Nation, for her gracious patronage of the forum and her continued support for family and community work, as well as her steadfast commitment to empowering families, entrenching values of cohesion and stability, and enhancing the quality of life for individuals and society.
His Excellency also expressed his deep gratitude to His Highness Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Development and Fallen Heroes’ Affairs and Chairman of the Higher Committee of the Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Excellence and Community Intelligence Programme, commending his guidance and substantial support, along with that of the Higher Committee members, which played a significant role in the forum’s success and the achievement of its objectives.
He further praised the important role played by strategic and principal partners and sponsors, noting that their partnerships reflected a strong sense of national responsibility and contributed to the success of this community event. He specifically acknowledged the efforts of work teams and media, executive, security, and medical staff, and all those who worked behind the scenes with dedication, helping transform the forum’s vision into a tangible reality that inspires pride.
His Excellency also praised the strong participation of families – both citizens and residents of various nationalities – stating that the community turnout reflected the forum’s standing and positive impact. He emphasised that the conclusion of this edition marks not an end, but a renewal of commitment and continuation of the mission, announcing anticipation of meeting the community again in 2026 at the 6th Abu Dhabi Family Forum, coinciding with the Year of the Family, to continue joint efforts – because the family has always been, and will remain, a top priority.
Her Excellency Mariam Mohammed Al Rumaithi, Director General of the Family Development Foundation, stated that the success achieved by the 5th Abu Dhabi Family Forum embodies the outcome of the wise guidance, support, and generous patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Mother of the Nation, who has been and continues to be a source of inspiration for family and community work in the UAE.
She congratulated Her Highness on the success of the fifth edition, affirming that it was the result of Her Highness’ far-sighted vision and enduring commitment to empowering families and enhancing their stability and quality of life – principles that formed the foundation of the forum’s programmes and initiatives.
She noted that Her Highness’ continued support enabled the foundation to deliver an integrated community experience that addressed the needs of families across all segments, strengthened values of cohesion and solidarity, and reinforced the family’s role as the fundamental pillar for building a cohesive and sustainable society.
Al Rumaithi extended her sincere thanks and appreciation to His Highness Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for his support and continued interest in the forum, and his commitment to advancing initiatives that empower families and reinforce their stability – reflecting his deep humanitarian vision and belief in the family’s central role in building a cohesive and sustainable society.
This support, she said, enhanced the forum’s community impact and reinforced its mission to serve families and support their quality of life.
She explained that the fifth edition of the Abu Dhabi Family Forum attracted diverse segments of society, particularly senior citizens and residents, and witnessed unprecedented community engagement that exceeded expectations in terms of attendance and participation in activities and programmes.
This broad engagement, she noted, reflects the community’s trust in the forum’s mission and objectives and underscores the importance of initiatives that address family needs and align with the mission of the Family Development Foundation and the Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Excellence and Community Intelligence Programme.
The strong turnout, she added, serves as a powerful motivator to continue developing future initiatives that enhance family quality of life and reinforce values of stability and social cohesion.
She also commended the foundation’s role in advancing ambitious programmes and engaging activities that enhanced the forum’s appeal and attracted various community segments through high-quality content and innovative interactive experiences that met families’ aspirations and reinforced their active presence in the community landscape.
Al Rumaithi praised the efforts of strategic partners and all work teams for their comprehensive support, which played an effective role in the success of the fifth edition.
She emphasised that the spirit of partnership and integration among various entities reflected a shared commitment to serving families and society and enhancing family quality of life.
She added that partners’ cooperation and positive engagement with the forum’s programs and activities set a model for community work and reinforced the concept of effective partnership as a key pillar for achieving sustainable impact and meeting the aspirations of all community segments.
Project Director of the Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Excellence and Community Intelligence Programme, Aousha Al Suwaidi, said that the 5th Abu Dhabi Family Forum succeeded in creating an atmosphere of family closeness and community interaction through its diverse stations.
She noted that the Family Quality of Life station formed one of the forum’s core pillars, offering high-quality content and interactive programmes that touched on daily family life and contributed to strengthening concepts of family stability and balance and enhancing quality of life through awareness sessions and specialised workshops that raised families’ awareness of the importance of building a healthy and sustainable family environment.
She added that the Emirati Heritage station embodied the presence of national identity at the heart of the forum, helping connect generations with their authentic cultural heritage through heritage-based and interactive activities that reflected the depth of Emirati heritage and reinforced values of belonging and pride in identity – creating a vibrant space that revived heritage in a contemporary manner appealing to all age groups.
Al Suwaidi explained that the Entrepreneurship station served as a supportive platform for ambitions and entrepreneurial initiatives, providing opportunities for learning, interaction, and knowledge exchange, empowering entrepreneurs and small business owners, and fostering a culture of innovation and self-employment in line with sustainable economic development goals and family capacity-building.
She confirmed that the Barakatna area received notable and wide engagement from senior citizens, presenting a humane model that reflected the Forum’s commitment to valuing this group and celebrating its pivotal role in society through social and heritage programmes that enabled participation and interaction.
These included the Mafnoud initiative, which enhanced seniors’ sense of inclusion and appreciation and reinforced values of respect and intergenerational communication by reviving traditional crafts in a contemporary spirit.
She concluded by noting that the accompanying events hosted by the 5th Abu Dhabi Family Forum – including cultural and artistic performances, as well as community and recreational activities – enriched visitors’ experiences and provided a unifying space for family interaction.
The integration of these events with the main stations, she said, enhanced the Forum’s community impact and made it a comprehensive experience that played an important role in supporting family stability, social cohesion, and improving the quality of life of senior citizens and residents alike.