<P> When the British - Trucial Sheikhdoms treaty expired on December 1 , 1971 , the Trucial States became fully independent sheikhdoms . Four more of the Trucial states ( Ajman , Sharjah , Umm Al Quwain and Fujairah ) , had decided to join Abu Dhabi and Dubai in signing the UAE 's founding treaty , with a draft constitution in place drafted in record time to meet the December 2 , 1971 deadline . On that date , at the Dubai Guesthouse ( now known as Union House ) , the emirates agreed to enter into a union to be called the United Arab Emirates . Ras al - Khaimah joined later , following Iran 's swift annexation of the Tunbs islands , in early 1972 . </P>
where was the first meeting to discuss the formation of the uae held
at the Dubai Guesthouse