Creative new ways of expanding the UAE's message abroad was the focus of a new diplomatic body's first meeting involving a number of the country’s top diplomatic officials.
Chaired by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE and Minister of Presidential Affairs, the UAE Soft Power Council convened on Monday as part of the two-day UAE government annual meetings to come up with a UAE Soft Power Strategy to increase the country’s global reputation abroad by highlighting its identity, heritage, culture and contributions to the world.
“The UAE’s Soft Power Strategy is a comprehensive framework for all sectors in the country,” said.
Sheikh Mansour. “The responsibility of the UAE’s reputation is also the responsibility of any person and group in the UAE. Our goal is to build a strong reputation for the nation, through which we can achieve our developmental, economic and cultural goals and ambitions.”
Sheikh Mansour noted the UAE’s ambitious political leadership, strong economy, significant cultural initiatives, along with its infrastructure, which he said is the best in the world, “support us in leapfrogging our soft power.”
“The UAE is an urban metropolis and an important hub in the region,” said Sheikh Mansour. “We have developed in a remarkable way, and can offer a model for development for many other countries around the world.”
He added, “The UAE is a regional and global platform that embraces Arab culture and global best practices; we are a global meeting point, an essential gateway to the Arab world, and offer a platform for a renaissance in the Arab world.”
“The people of the UAE are a valuable part of our Soft Power Strategy, and open communication with them is as much a priority as communicating with government entities; we will develop an institutional framework for communication, so we may deliver our message to many parts of the world,” he concluded.
The strategy is based on four main objectives, which are to develop a unified direction for various sectors including the economy, humanities, tourism, media and science, and to promote the UAE’s position as a gateway to the region. In addition, to establish the UAE as a regional capital for culture, art, and tourism, and to establish its reputation as a modern and tolerant country that welcomes all people from across the world.
The strategy also includes six main pillars that together form the framework for the UAE’s public diplomacy: humanitarian diplomacy, scientific and academic diplomacy, national representatives diplomacy, people diplomacy, cultural and media diplomacy, and economic diplomacy.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the UAE Soft Power Council in May, enlisting it to develop the country’s soft power strategy to include the culture, technology, humanitarian, science and economic sectors, in order to establish relationships at the grassroots level with partners both in the Middle East region and globally.
Confirmed%20bouts%20(more%20to%20be%20added)
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Everybody%20Loves%20Touda
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if you go
The flights
Fly to Rome with Etihad (www.etihad.ae) or Emirates (www.emirates.com) from Dh2,480 return including taxes. The flight takes six hours. Fly from Rome to Trapani with Ryanair (www.ryanair.com) from Dh420 return including taxes. The flight takes one hour 10 minutes.
The hotels
The author recommends the following hotels for this itinerary. In Trapani, Ai Lumi (www.ailumi.it); in Marsala, Viacolvento (www.viacolventomarsala.it); and in Marsala Del Vallo, the Meliaresort Dimore Storiche (www.meliaresort.it).
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Kandahar%20
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Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
Company%20profile
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57%20Seconds
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THE BIO
Bio Box
Role Model: Sheikh Zayed, God bless his soul
Favorite book: Zayed Biography of the leader
Favorite quote: To be or not to be, that is the question, from William Shakespeare's Hamlet
Favorite food: seafood
Favorite place to travel: Lebanon
Favorite movie: Braveheart
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Company%20Profile
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Company%20profile
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The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
SERIE A FIXTURES
Friday (UAE kick-off times)
Sassuolo v Bologna (11.45pm)
Saturday
Brescia v Torino (6pm)
Inter Milan v Verona (9pm)
Napoli v Genoa (11.45pm)
Sunday
Cagliari v Verona (3.30pm)
Udinese v SPAL (6pm)
Sampdoria v Atalanta (6pm)
Lazio v Lecce (6pm)
Parma v Roma (9pm)
Juventus v Milan (11.45pm)
Company%20Profile
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE
Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega
Director: Tim Burton
Rating: 3/5
BORDERLANDS
Starring: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Jamie Lee Curtis
Director: Eli Roth
Rating: 0/5
Greatest of All Time
Starring: Vijay, Sneha, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets