In a monumental nationwide celebration, the United Arab Emirates ushered in 2026 by hosting special New Year festivities for its workforce, with participation exceeding 300,000 laborers across more than 30 venues. Orchestrated under the unifying banner ‘With You and Through You, We Step into the New Year,’ the events showcased the nation’s profound commitment to its labor community.
The celebrations, characterized by a vibrant array of activities, featured competitive games, captivating entertainment shows, and traditional folk dance performances. A highlight for many attendees was a series of high-value prize draws, with grand offerings including a brand-new car and international travel tickets, complemented by widespread gift distributions.
This large-scale initiative was spearheaded by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE), which coordinated an extensive coalition of federal and local government partners. Key collaborators included the Ministry of Interior, the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICA), and the police headquarters of Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah. Support was also extended by numerous municipalities, the Abu Dhabi Ports Group, and the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai (GDRFA Dubai).
Enhancing operational and logistical support were entities such as the Abu Dhabi and Dubai Civil Defence authorities, the Dubai Event Security Committee, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in Dubai, the National Ambulance service, and the Al Ihsan Charity Association.
Demonstrating a robust culture of corporate social responsibility, several prominent private companies organized parallel events in solidarity with the national program. Notable participants included Sobha Constructions, Granada Europe Construction LLC, DULSCO Group, and Innovo Build LLC.
This event is part of a sustained, strategic approach by MoHRE and its partners to honor the contributions of workers during national occasions. The initiative is designed to foster happiness, enhance overall well-being, and strengthen psychological and social stability within the workforce, thereby reinforcing their sense of community belonging and motivating their continued role in the nation’s development trajectory.
The festivities were made possible through significant sponsorship from ten major corporations. DAMAC and Aldar Properties served as Diamond sponsors, while The Insurance Pool and Sobha Realty provided Platinum support. Gold category sponsors included du, Emarat, Electronic Document Centre, National Marine Dredging Company, and Al Ansari Exchange, with AW Rostamani Group contributing as a Silver sponsor.