The Ministry of Culture, UAE, has announced plans to introduce a new Arabic Language Law as part of a national strategy running between 2026 and 2027. Presented during a session of the Federal National Council, the initiative signals a more structured approach to embedding Arabic across education, media, and public-facing cultural systems.
The UAE government is set to introduce a new Arabic Language Law as part of a sweeping national strategy to strengthen Arabic’s role across society between 2026 and 2027.
The initiative, presented by the Ministry of Culture during a recent Federal National Council (FNC) session, is part of a broader policy framework aimed at reinforcing cultural identity while maintaining the country’s openness and global outlook.
Officials described the protection and promotion of Arabic as a “national priority” that requires stronger governance and legislative backing.
Legislative framework expands language across cultural systems
At the centre of the roadmap is the drafting of a dedicated Arabic Language Law alongside executive regulations, which together will establish a formal legal framework to ensure the language is embedded across sectors, including education, media, and public life.
Consequently, the policy extends beyond legislation into the design of everyday cultural environments, where language functions as both communication and identity. Moreover, the government has introduced national indicators to measure Arabic usage, reinforcing a data-driven approach to cultural policy.
The UAE has also expanded its international cultural footprint, including securing UNESCO recognition for Arabic calligraphy and continuing initiatives such as the Al-Burdah Award.
National roadmap links literacy, identity, and participation
The Ministry outlined several parallel initiatives planned for the same period.
These include developing a national roadmap to promote reading and literacy, as well as targeted cultural policies focused on children and families to strengthen language use from an early age.
Programs at cultural centres across the UAE are also set to be expanded, alongside the launch of national initiatives to document and promote the Arabic language and heritage.
Therefore, the strategy integrates education, community engagement, and cultural production into a unified framework. In addition, a National Identity Committee has been established to oversee governance, while a feasibility study for the law has already been completed.
Long-term cultural investment shapes policy direction
The strategy comes as authorities seek to address challenges linked to globalization and the increasing use of other languages in business and daily life.
In response, the government has moved to establish more structured oversight of language policy at the federal level.
The upcoming legislation builds on more than a decade of investment in Arabic language initiatives. Since 2012, the UAE has launched programs including the Arabic Language Charter, the Mohammed bin Rashid Award for Arabic Language, and the Arab Reading Challenge.
This was followed by the introduction of the National Reading Law in 2016 and updated media regulations in 2023 to support Arabic content.
Together, the new measures signal a more structured, long-term approach to preserving and advancing Arabic as a cornerstone of national identity.