Dubai: For many expatriates, signing the UAE's Pledge and Commitment initiative was about more than adding their name to a national campaign. It was a personal message of gratitude to a country they say has given them opportunities, stability, safety and a sense of belonging.

The initiative, which was launched by Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, reflects appreciation for the leadership of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahya and his role in strengthening national security, social cohesion and stability. Since the initiative was launched on May 19, it has seen a massive participation from the community.

Emirates 24|7 spoke to some residents who have signed the initiative and while their journeys to the UAE were different, there was a shared sense of gratitude for the life they have built here.

'A place to belong'

Inas Ktaech, Clinical Director at Doris Duan Young Autism Centre, spoke about how moving to Dubai for better opportunities turned into a truly fulfilling experience.

“Six and a half years ago, I arrived in the UAE as a Lebanese Canadian looking for new opportunities. What I found was much more than a place to work. It became a place where I could grow, learn, and build a life,” she said.

Signing the UAE Pledge and Commitment felt especially meaningful, she said, adding that her clinic, too had signed up as an institution to show its shared commitment to the values and vision of the UAE.

“It was an opportunity to reflect on everything this country has given me and to reaffirm my commitment to giving back through my work, values, and contributions to the community. I have the privilege of working alongside children of determination and their families every day. Their resilience, growth, and achievements continually inspire me and remind me of the importance of creating a more inclusive and supportive community for all,” she said.

“Thank you, UAE, for the opportunities, the friendships, and the sense of belonging. Proud to call this remarkable country home,” she added.

Pakistani expatriate Tariq Mohsin, who came to the UAE more than two years ago, also spoke about why he was proud to be part of the initiative.

“As a resident of the UAE, I am grateful for the opportunities, safety, and growth this country provides to people from around the world. This pledge reflects a shared commitment to contribute positively, uphold the values of respect and responsibility, and support the continued development of the UAE. Thank you, UAE for being a place of ambition, innovation, and opportunity,” he said.

Raising families with confidence

For many residents who joined the pledge, it was a chance to express their gratitude for living in a country where their family’s safety was never in doubt.

Hudoob Younis, a 37-year-old Jordanian Jordanian-Turkish PR & Communications Manager, has been living in the UAE since 2014 and signed the pledge last week.

She spoke about how the career move eventually turned into a life-changing experience, watching her children grow up in the UAE and forming some of her closest friendships.

“People often ask what makes the UAE different, and honestly, it's difficult to explain unless you've experienced it yourself. It's not just about the opportunities or the quality of life. It's the feeling that no matter where you come from, you can belong here. As an expatriate, I have always felt welcomed, respected, and valued. Over the years, I've watched the country grow while maintaining a strong sense of safety, stability, and compassion for the people who live here. As a mother, that means everything. There is comfort in knowing that your children are growing up in an environment where they can feel safe, dream big, and meet people from all over the world,” she said.

She also spoke about a “collective sense of reassurance” the people felt in the UAE, and the understanding that their wellbeing mattered.

“That sense of trust is not something you can measure, but it is something you feel every day. When I signed the pledge, it wasn't because of a single event or moment. It was because after more than a decade here, I wanted to express my gratitude to a country that has given me so much. The UAE is where I built my career, where my children are growing up, and where some of the most important chapters of my life have unfolded. For me, signing the pledge was simply a small way of saying thank you to a place that has become home,” she said.

Choosing to return

Another UAE resident Murielle Hebbo Kalash, a Lebanese senior copywriter, said that while she was born in the UAE, she moved to Lebanon early in life. Five years ago, she came back to the UAE and moved in with her parents, who still lived in the UAE.

Since then, she says, the country has given her more than a place to live.

“It has given me opportunities to grow, people who have become family, lessons that have shaped me, and a sense of stability that many people around the world are still searching for,” she said.

“As someone who was born here, left, and then chose to return, I have had the privilege of seeing the UAE through different chapters of my life. Every time I come back, I feel the same thing: gratitude. Gratitude for a nation that continues to dream bigger, build further, and create opportunities not only for its citizens, but for millions of people who now call it home. Thank you, UAE, for proving that visionary leadership can turn possibility into reality,” she added.

COP28 adopts landmark ‘UAE Consensus’ on climate change, charting a path towards a sustainable future