Archives and Innovation: Abu Dhabi’s Voice on the Global Stage

In Shanghai, a significant moment unfolds for archival practice across continents. The International Council on Archives and Shanghai University have established a centre dedicated to academic exchange in the field of archives, and from Abu Dhabi comes a voice of particular influence: Dr Hamad Al Mutairi, Acting Executive Director of the National Library and Archives, who serves as Vice President of the International Council on Archives for Programmes.

Dr Al Mutairi delivered the opening address at the 2026 International Archives Workshop, a gathering that runs from 1 to 8 November and brings together expertise from across the globe. The workshop’s theme, “From Innovation to Application: Leveraging Emerging Technologies in Archives and Records Management”, speaks to a profession in thoughtful transition, one where centuries of custodianship meet the possibilities of contemporary technology.

His participation underscores a commitment that matters deeply: the strengthening of international partnerships and the exchange of academic and professional knowledge. In a world where records and documents form the foundation of institutional memory and cultural heritage, the adoption of modern technologies promises not merely efficiency but a democratisation of access, new possibilities for how archives serve their communities.

The presence of Abu Dhabi’s leadership in these conversations reflects the emirate’s growing role in shaping how archives and records management evolve globally. It signals too the National Library and Archives’ dedication to ensuring that innovation in this field serves the deeper purpose: preserving, protecting and sharing the knowledge and narratives that define us.