Dazzling 51st National Day show celebrates Emirati roots and points to a bright future

The UAE's stunning 51st National Day show celebrated the best of the nation and showcased its grand ambitions for the next 50 years.

An extravaganza of dancers, live music and performances ― as well as the arrival of an Etihad Rail passenger train ― delivered a taste of Emirati heritage and a snapshot of how the UAE will be shaped in the coming years.

Almost 7,000 international engineers, creatives and technicians worked behind the scenes to bring together a show streamed at 50 locations nationwide and to millions of homes on local television.

The rulers of the seven emirates, led by President Sheikh Mohamed, watched on as a visually breathtaking show unfolded at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.

Running just short of an hour in length, the celebration of Emirati trailblazers played out on a stage themed as a time tunnel to demonstrate the nation’s progress since 1971.

At each end, 51 lights signified every year of its history.

Performance focused on an everyday Emirati, born in the UAE, as he aged and raised a family, with his growth signifying the progress of the UAE, until his 100th birthday in 2071.

Played out to a live performance from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and Emirates Choir, the story began with a rousing rendition of the national anthem.

President Sheikh Mohamed waves to passengers on an Etihad Trail train which rolled onto the stage. Photo: National Day show

Tribute was paid to the late President Sheikh Khalifa, who led the UAE from 2004 to 2022, with archive footage shown to celebrate his many achievements.

Particular focus was paid on his impact in areas such as the environment, sustainability, technology, the economy and education.

UAE climate action and food security efforts

The show highlighted the UAE’s rich biodiversity and its long maritime connections, with huge handmade models of fish, turtles, rays and sharks sweeping across the stage, illuminated to signify the surrounding seas.

A short speech by Noura Al Mansoori, a marine scientist and conservationist, raised the importance of protecting sea life and preserving biodiversity.

“Our sea is our culture, history and future,” she said. “Together we can keep it safe.”

About 10,000 mangrove saplings were part of the ceremony, to be planted at various sites to contribute to the UAE’s pledge to plant 100 million mangroves by 2030.

Mangroves act as the nation’s lungs, because they sequester four times the carbon of tropical rainforests and protect against sandstorms.

The show went on to describe how agriculture is adopting new methods, such as hydroponics and vertical farming, as the climatic conditions evolve.

More than 35,000 farms in the UAE now use these kinds of techniques to save water and space.

“Our land is fertile,” said Abdulla Al Kaabi, an agritech expert. “In it, we planted our dreams and from it, we reap its fruit.”

UAE's growing role in space race

The visually stunning show highlighted the UAE's growing role in the space sector. Photo: National Day show

The time tunnel then took viewers into the cosmos, with a nod to the UAE’s space programme.

Where once the nation’s forefathers relied upon the stars for navigation, modern-day Emiratis prepare to explore the outer reaches of space and embark on new journeys to the Moon and Mars.

The show heard from Fatema Al Hamili, an aerospace engineer who has dreamt of venturing into space since the age of seven.

In 2022, the UAE marked 25 years of its space programme.

Etihad Rail then took centre stage during the live performance, as the 400-seat passenger train that will connect all seven emirates on a 1,200km network rolled into view.

The carriage was accompanied by a stream of about 100 amateur and professional cyclists from around the country with illuminated wheels to signify the growing popularity of the sport.

Hundreds of kilometres of cycle tracks have opened up throughout the country in recent years.

Women formed a key foundation of the show, with Maryam Al Mazrouei, an Emirati who works in the solar industry, explaining the importance of generating more clean energy.

The UAE aims to generate 50 per cent of its electricity from carbon-free sources by 2050, and will host the Cop28 UN climate change conference in 2023.

Literacy was another passage of the performance, with the transfer of knowledge between generations celebrated via the Arabic Reading Challenge and Arab Literacy initiative that has led to an increase in those able to read from 53 per cent of the population in 1975 to 96 per cent today.

Flag-waving children then joined the celebration, with hundreds in a procession through the time tunnel, many of whom had their lives' aspirations beamed on to the stage in Arabic script.

The performance concluded with a vivid display of Al Ayyala dancing from a 200-strong troupe of Emirati performers, another nod to the nation’s cultural heritage.

Where to watch the show in person

An Etihad Rail passenger train prepares to emerge from the time tunnel stage. Photo: National Day show

Following a spectacular show beamed to homes across the nation, the public will have a chance to join the celebrations in person.

The National Day show will be performed before crowds at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre from December 3 to 11.

Tickets for the nine shows ― which start at 6pm each day ― are available for Dh200 via the National Day website. Children under three can attend for free.

Who are the Soroptimists?

The first Soroptimists club was founded in Oakland, California in 1921. The name comes from the Latin word soror which means sister, combined with optima, meaning the best.

The organisation said its name is best interpreted as ‘the best for women’.

Since then the group has grown exponentially around the world and is officially affiliated with the United Nations. The organisation also counts Queen Mathilde of Belgium among its ranks.

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BULKWHIZ PROFILE

Date started: February 2017

Founders: Amira Rashad (CEO), Yusuf Saber (CTO), Mahmoud Sayedahmed (adviser), Reda Bouraoui (adviser)

Based: Dubai, UAE

Sector: E-commerce

Size: 50 employees

Funding: approximately $6m

Investors: Beco Capital, Enabling Future and Wain in the UAE; China's MSA Capital; 500 Startups; Faith Capital and Savour Ventures in Kuwait

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The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

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Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative

Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.

8. Pillar 2 implementation

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

UK's plans to cut net migration

Under the UK government’s proposals, migrants will have to spend 10 years in the UK before being able to apply for citizenship.

Skilled worker visas will require a university degree, and there will be tighter restrictions on recruitment for jobs with skills shortages.

But what are described as "high-contributing" individuals such as doctors and nurses could be fast-tracked through the system.

Language requirements will be increased for all immigration routes to ensure a higher level of English.

Rules will also be laid out for adult dependants, meaning they will have to demonstrate a basic understanding of the language.

The plans also call for stricter tests for colleges and universities offering places to foreign students and a reduction in the time graduates can remain in the UK after their studies from two years to 18 months.

Global institutions: BlackRock and KKR

US-based BlackRock is the world's largest asset manager, with $5.98 trillion of assets under management as of the end of last year. The New York firm run by Larry Fink provides investment management services to institutional clients and retail investors including governments, sovereign wealth funds, corporations, banks and charitable foundations around the world, through a variety of investment vehicles.

KKR & Co, or Kohlberg Kravis Roberts, is a global private equity and investment firm with around $195 billion of assets as of the end of last year. The New York-based firm, founded by Henry Kravis and George Roberts, invests in multiple alternative asset classes through direct or fund-to-fund investments with a particular focus on infrastructure, technology, healthcare, real estate and energy.

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