To mark the UAE’s 50th anniversary of nationhood, New York has declared December 2, 2021, as ‘Emirati Day’. The announcement was made by Senator Kevin Thomas of New York State.

Talking about why he chose to make the resolution, he affirmed that the two countries have strong ties, both in education and trade. “I'm honoured to stand and introduce this legislative resolution to commemorate the 50th Independence Day of the UAE by declaring December 2, 2021, as Emirati Day in New York State,” Thomas said while addressing the Senate.

Their National Day, which is celebrated on December 2 each year, commemorates the founding of the UAE. “But this year, it’s a very different type of celebration because the country will be celebrating its 50th Independence Day. President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan proclaimed 2021 as the 50th year, which represents a defining moment in the country’s history,” he went on to say.

 
Born in Dubai, Kevin Thomas immigrated to New York with his family at the age of 10 in 1995. “The time I left the country (UAE), it was modernising and emerging as an economic and tourist hub in the region,” he said in his speech, during which he shared the UAE’s rich history and how it has come a long way, adding, “The UAE has a rich history rooted in trade and tied to Islam… Today, the UAE is a modern oil-exporting country with a highly diversified economy, with Dubai, in particular, developing into a global city and a hub for tourism, retail and finance and home to the world’s tallest building, Burj Khalifa, the Palm Islands and other architectural wonders.”

“I thank Senator Thomas for introducing a resolution commemorating the UAE’s 50th anniversary in New York State, which reflects our shared understanding that the friendship between the UAE and New York is set to grow from strength to strength in the years ahead,” Thomas added.