MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)
Marked on January 17 every year, the UAE’s Day of Solidarity carries meanings that extend well beyond remembrance.
The day, rooted in the January 17, 2022, terrorist attack that targeted the country, has become a symbol of national cohesion, preparedness and confidence in the future, reflecting values shared by citizens and residents alike.
The Day of Solidarity underscores confidence in the UAE Armed Forces as an impenetrable fortress, equipped with advanced defence systems and supported by trusted international alliances.
It also honours the martyrs of the UAE, those who sacrificed their lives in defence of the homeland. It also honours the martyrs of the UAE, those who sacrificed their lives in defence of the homeland, and reflects the values of justice and security, reinforcing that national stability and regional peace are closely linked.
The country’s emphasis on solidarity at home is mirrored in decades of peacekeeping and humanitarian engagement abroad, positioning the UAE as a consistent force in regional and international security efforts.
Internationally, the UAE has contributed to peacekeeping for decades through military deployments, humanitarian aid, and support for security initiatives.
The UAE’s involvement dates back to the 1970s, when Emirati forces joined regional peace efforts in Lebanon. Since then, the country has taken part in a range of missions aimed at stabilisation, civilian protection and post-conflict recovery, working alongside regional partners, the UN, and international coalitions.
Alongside military missions, the country has expanded its diplomatic role in peacekeeping through active participation at the UN.
During its 2022–2023 term on the UN Security Council, the UAE supported resolutions focused on strengthening peace operations, conflict prevention, and civilian protection.
This includes UN Security Council Resolution 2686, adopted in 2023, which addresses hate speech, extremism and incitement as drivers of conflict.
The country has also backed initiatives aimed at improving the effectiveness of peacekeeping missions.
In 2021, the government announced a $10 million contribution to support international peacekeeping training, capacity-building and logistical assistance.
The UAE launched its National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security in the same year, in line with UN Security Council Resolution 1325. The plan commits the country to supporting women’s participation in peace and security operations and to funding training programmes for women peacekeepers from the Middle East, Africa and Asia.
Humanitarian assistance remains a central pillar of the UAE’s peace-support approach.
According to UN data, the UAE provided $1.46 billion (about Dh5.36 billion) in humanitarian assistance in 2025, making it one of the largest donors worldwide and accounting for approximately 7.2 % of all aid recorded by the UN.
Since 1971, the UAE’s total foreign aid, which includes humanitarian, development, and emergency relief, has reached an estimated Dh360 billion (about $98 billion), reflecting decades of sustained contributions to communities affected by poverty, crises and conflict.
From 2015 to 2023, the UAE has delivered $6.6 billion in aid to Yemen, including reconstruction, health, agriculture and economic support. The assistance continued in 2023 with approximately $325 million in funding for healthcare, energy and irrigation projects.
In 2025, the UAE committed $1 billion to Yemen’s energy sector, including renewable power plants in Aden and Shabwa designed to serve over a million homes. It also provided relief aid, including Ramadan meals, flood assistance for 960 families, food distributions and education support, as well as a WHO-backed initiative in Socotra to combat malnutrition.