Abu dhabi: The third edition of the Mufakiru Al Emarat Forum 2026 centered on strategies to enhance family cohesion and instill national values, aligning with the designation of 2026 as the Year of Family. Organised by the Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research (ECSSR) in partnership with the Ministry of Family, this event was held at ADNEC Abu Dhabi under the theme “The Emirati Family: National Values and Contemporary Transformations.”
According to Emirates News Agency, the forum featured dialogue sessions that examined the Emirati family from demographic, educational, and economic perspectives, alongside value-based and digital dimensions. Sultan Mohammed Al Nuaimi, Director-General of the ECSSR, underscored the focus on the Emirati family as a reflection of leadership directives that prioritize family empowerment as a national priority and shared responsibility. The forum’s partnerships with universities and national institutions have produced over 1,400 intellectual outputs, including studies and research products.
In the opening trends session titled “Towards Stable and Flourishing Families,” Sana bint Mohammed Suhail, Minister of Family, emphasized the family as the foundation for individual development and social cohesion. She noted that the Year of Family, Growth and Belonging reflects a national vision focused on investing in people, advocating for data-driven and responsive family policies.
During a Barzat Fikr session, Dhahi Khalfan Tamim, Deputy Chief of Police and Public Security in Dubai, highlighted the family’s role in strengthening national identity and social cohesion, advocating for dedicated strategies to support family cohesion and kinship ties. In another session, Mugheer Khamis Al Khaili, Secretary-General of Erth Zayed Philanthropies, discussed instilling values, financial awareness, and productivity among younger generations, including the effective use of artificial intelligence.
The forum launched the Family Hackathon in partnership with the Federal Youth Authority, providing a platform for youth to develop practical solutions to challenges facing the Emirati family. Sheikha Dr. Shamma bint Mohammed bin Khalid Al Nahyan delivered the keynote address at the hackathon launch, stressing the need for modern, practical, and measurable approaches to preserving family cohesion amid rapid social and digital change. She later engaged in an open dialogue with participating youth teams.
The hackathon featured six challenges addressed by six youth teams using design thinking methodologies, with one initiative selected for its readiness for implementation. The forum’s main session examined financial behavioral patterns and their impact on family stability, with speakers noting that financial disputes are a leading cause of family breakdown and highlighting the importance of early financial awareness.
Additional interactive sessions were conducted across three platforms, addressing topics such as fertility, family resilience, youth priorities, digital safety for children, aging and the economy, and residential neighborhoods as enablers of family well-being. Launched in January 2022, the Mufakiru Al Emarat project supports Emirati thinkers and researchers, providing a platform for intellectual contributions that aid decision-making. Since 2024, the ECSSR has organized the forum annually to foster dialogue and exchange among Emirati minds.