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Formed as a federation in 1971 at a crossroads of cultures and ideas, the United Arab Emirates is a global hub for commerce, innovation and discovery. 200 nationalities live and work side by side in the Emirates, where people of all faiths have the freedom to worship and women hold leadership roles across society.
In line with the country’s forward-looking vision, in 2020 the UAE broke ground on an interfaith worship center and sent the Arab world’s first satellite to Mars. Next year, the UAE will host Expo 2021, the first world’s fair to take place in the Middle East. These initiatives and others are possible thanks to the UAE’s deeply held values of innovation, inclusion and optimism – values the UAE shares with the United States. Find out more at www.uaeusaunited.com.
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Embassy of the United arab emirates washington dc and uae usa united: the views expressed are their own and not the view of the hill.
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ABOUT GLOBAL LENSES
Global Lenses: United Arab Emirates tells a series of stories through an engaging narrative about the strong bilateral partnership the UAE and US share. Through original videos and articles, The Hill will showcase the broad scope of the UAE-US partnership through stories of inclusion, gender equality, diversity, educational advancement, and promotion of arts and culture. In addition, The Hill will underscore the common values the UAE and US share, and why this shared outlook matters to Americans. The Hill is embarking on a journey to feature forward-looking countries that represent extraordinary opportunity for Americans in terms of business, investment, diversity, and culture. Global Lenses is a video series spotlighting these forward-looking countries, now featuring the United Arab Emirates.
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| Katy Brennan is a New York-based writer who explores a wide range of business-focused topics for The Hill.
Katy Brennan
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based writer who explores a wide range of business-focused topics for The Hill.
Embassy of the united Arab Emirates Washington DC and UAE USA United: The views expressed are their own and not the view of The Hill.
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| Katy Brennan is a New York-based writer who explores
a wide range of business-focused topics for The Hill.
With the postponement of the 2020 Olympics, and with most international athletic events being played before empty stadiums, if at all, the popularity of esports is booming worldwide. This is especially true in the Middle East, where 65 percent of the population is under 30 and excitement about gaming is on the rise. Most statistics show the mobile gaming industry in the Middle East growing at a rate of 24% each year. Overall, more than one in four Arab nationals play video games and Emiratis are among the most active; well over 60% of the population in the UAE play. As of 2018, men in the Middle East were more likely to play video games than women, though at least three in 10 women are gamers (44% men vs. 31% women) and that number is on the rise across the region. In keeping with a national commitment to promoting inclusivity, tolerance, and gender equality, the UAE has been actively promoting gender inclusivity in esports by hosting tournaments like the fourth annual GIRLGAMER World Finals, one of the world’s top women’s esports events, in February 2020. This year, as the host nation, the UAE helped to form the Galaxy Racer squad—the Middle East’s first female esports team made up of five young gamers from across the region. This is just one of many steps that the UAE is taking to promote gender equality in esports, an industry where women remain underrepresented at the professional level. Launching Galaxy Racer is just the beginning. The team is set to expand to include more players from across the region who can refine their talents at Dubai X-Stadium, the first dedicated high-end esports training facility in the Middle East. “The UAE’s ultimate goal is to promote inclusion in esports,” said Hessa Al Shuwaihi, Head of Media Affairs and Public Diplomacy for the UAE Embassy in Washington, DC. “We want to get to the point where tournaments like GIRLGAMER are no longer necessary, where men and women will play in the same teams and compete on equal footing.” This summer, the UAE signed a partnership with the International Esports Federation—founded in 2008 and now composed of more than 70 member nations worldwide—to promote tolerance and coexistence in esports. This agreement established the ESF Global Commission of Tolerance and Coexistence in Esports. The commission is currently developing a working group that will engage all stakeholders, athletes, gamers, teams, publishers, parents, schools, and governing federations to develop a strategy to promote the message of tolerance and respectful, compassionate human interaction in the virtual space. In the midst of social isolation caused by the Coronavirus pandemic, the UAE has been increasing cultural understanding and connecting likeminded gamers globally through esports partnerships in the US. In February of this year, Monumental Sports & Entertainment (MSE) and the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Washington, DC announced a partnership focused on the growth and inclusivity of esports on a global level. MSE owns the NBA’s Washington Wizards and the NHL’s Washington Capitals. Both of those teams have esports affiliates also owned by MSE: Wizards District Gaming of the NBA 2K League and Caps Gaming, which recently launched to expand on the NHL’s competitive gaming scene. The UAE-MSE partnership encourages cultural exchange while harnessing the energy and creativity of the esports community through online tournaments as well as unique activations for gamers worldwide. In July 2020, the UAE Embassy partnered with MSE and Emirati esports enthusiasts to hold a virtual NBA 2K coaching clinic featuring the head coach of Wizards District Gaming. Other collaborations include a Caps Gaming NHL 20 showcase and a weekly online program recapping the latest news in esports. Prior to the pandemic, the United Arab Emirates had already assumed a leadership position as both a regional and international hub in the global gaming community. Now, Dubai X-Stadium is hosting world-class gaming events and playing a central role in the global industry. The UAE is also home to regional esports leaders like Power League Gaming, a top video game creator, and Nasr E-Sports, the leading esports organization in the MENA region. In October 2019, American brand engagement leader RedPeg teamed up with Emirati firm W Ventures to announce a $50 million investment in a gaming platform in the Middle East and North Africa that aims to expand esports in the region. The country also hosted Insomnia Dubai when the Insomnia Gaming Festival Franchise extended to the Middle East last year and, more recently, the 4th edition of the Digital Games Conference Dubai in June 2020.
Katy Brennan, Special to The Hill
The UAE is fast becoming a hub for esports in the Middle East. Through innovative partnerships with leading US esports organizations – like Monumental Sports & Entertainment– the UAE Embassy in Washington, DC is connecting likeminded gaming enthusiasts in the US and the Middle East, and increasing cultural understanding in the process.
United Arab Emirates Teams Up with US Partners to Connect Gamers Globally
The UAE Embassy in Washington, DC has partnered with Monumental Sports & Entertainment to connect gamers and esports fans in the US, the UAE and around the world.
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In the United Arab Emirates, tolerance is more than an ideal – it’s a way of life. The country is home to 200 nationalities, over 40 Christian churches, Hindu and Sikh temples, a Buddhist monastery and an emerging Jewish community. Inspired by a history of diversity and inclusion, the UAE’s initiatives to promote tolerance and coexistence between people of all faiths are setting an example for the entire Middle East.
Religious Freedom in the UAE
Expo 2020 Dubai – the first World Expo ever held in the Middle East – will begin in October 2021. The Expo will welcome visitors from around the globe to the UAE, in a celebration of culture, collaboration and innovation.
Expo 2020 Dubai
Born from a shared understanding between New York University and the United Arab Emirates about the roles and challenges of higher education in the 21st century, New York University Abu Dhabi has rapidly become one of the world’s top liberal arts and research institutions. With an international student body from 115 countries and counting, NYU Abu Dhabi is preparing the next generation of global leaders for success.
Investment in Education | NYU Abu Dhabi
The United Arab Emirates has been a close friend and partner of the United States for fifty years. United by shared values and common interests, the UAE and the US work together to create economic prosperity, promote regional security, and address pressing global challenges. Global Lenses: United Arab Emirates tells the stories of the people at the heart of the UAE-US relationship, and how they are shaping a better future for the United States, the Middle East, and beyond.
Best of UAE-USA United
America’s ports are the economic engines that sustain daily life from coast to coast. Now, innovative partnerships with companies like United Arab Emirates-based Gulftainer are fueling growth for port communities across the country. Through long-term investments in US port infrastructure, Gulftainer is creating American jobs, improving port performance, and strengthening local economies across the Eastern seaboard.
UAE-based Gulftainer Aids US Port Communities
The United Arab Emirates is a global hub for scientific and technological innovation, thanks in large part to the talent and ingenuity of Emirati women who have pursued careers in STEM fields. From developing cutting-edge technologies to enhance quality of life, to promoting the adoption of STEM programs in government, UAE women are improving scientific understanding at home, in the US, and around the world.
UAE Women in STEM
Team activities like soccer are a key part of a child’s development. It’s important for kids to have a place where they can stay fit, learn about teamwork, and build self-confidence That’s why the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Washington, DC has teamed up with local organizations across the United States to provide access to state-of-the-art soccer fields, coaching, and equipment for the kids and communities that need it most.
UAE Embassy Community Soccer Program
First UAE Astronaut to Reach International Space Station
Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi
Legacy of the Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi
UAE Women in Sports
Sustainability in the UAE
Formed as a federation in 1971 at a crossroads of cultures and ideas, the United Arab Emirates is a global hub for commerce, innovation and discovery. 200 nationalities live and work side by side in the Emirates, where people of all faiths have the freedom to worship and women hold leadership roles across society. In line with the country’s forward-looking vision, in 2020 the UAE broke ground on an interfaith worship center and sent the Arab world’s first satellite to Mars. Next year, the UAE will host Expo 2021, the first world’s fair to take place in the Middle East. These initiatives and others are possible thanks to the UAE’s deeply held values of innovation, inclusion and optimism – values the UAE shares with the United States. Find out more at www.uaeusaunited.com.
Joint Military Operations
GlobalFoundries
Investing in STEM Education
Disaster Relief Assistance
UAE Mars Mission
Peaceful Nuclear Energy
The UAE: Working to Improve Global Health
Federal National Council of the UAE
Children's National Hospital - Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation
Johns Hopkins Medicine and the UAE
The Abrahamic Family House
Engaging the Next Generation of UAE Leaders
The UAE’s International Leadership on Renewable Energy
An Art Museum that Unites People Across Cultures
The first universal museum in the Arab world, Louvre Abu Dhabi celebrates art and creativity at the crossroads of East and West.
Abu Dhabi’s Hedayah Center is the first-ever independent, apolitical, multilateral International Center of Excellence for Countering Violent Extremism.
Countering Extremism to Create a Better Future
The UAE is fast becoming a hub for esports in the Middle East. Through innovative partnerships with leading US esports organizations, the UAE Embassy in Washington, DC is connecting likeminded gaming enthusiasts in the US and the Middle East, and increasing cultural understanding in the process.
The United Arab Emirates is working with local partners to restore and preserve 100 miles of coral reef in the Florida Keys.
Rebuilding Communities and Restoring Reefs in the Florida Keys
Expanding on an agreement with UNESCO signed in 2018, the United Arab Emirates is doubling its efforts to rebuild critical historical sites in Mosul.
What Extremists Destroyed in Iraq, the United Arab Emirates is Helping to Rebuild
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UNITED IN OUTLOOK
The UAE And USA Are United For A Better Future
With shared values and common interests, the United Arab Emirates is a close friend and ally of the United States. Explore this gallery to learn more about the strength and diversity of the partnership.
The UAE has an open, forward-looking vision for the Middle East region that…
Embraces Diversity
People of more than 200 nationalities and countless faiths live and worship side by side in the UAE.
Celebrates Inclusion
7,500 athletes competed in the 2019 Special Olympics World Games in Abu Dhabi, the first event of its kind held in the Middle East.
Empowers Women
Women occupy 50% of seats in the UAE’s Federal National Council.
And Welcomes Global Engagement.
Students from more than 120 different countries attend New York University Abu Dhabi.
UNITED IN PROSPERITY
Like the US, the UAE understands the value of open markets. The bilateral economic partnership…
Supports American Jobs
Wholly owned by the UAE’s Mubadala Investment Company, the GlobalFoundries advanced microchip manufacturing plant in Upstate New York supports over 3,000 high-paying jobs for the region.
Spurs Innovation
The UAE Space Agency partnered with University of Colorado Boulder, University of California, Berkeley, and Arizona State University to build the Hope Mars Probe, which launched in July 2020.
Creates Prosperity for American Communities
UAE-based port operator Gulftainer has invested over $600 million to build and operate shipping terminals in Delaware and Florida.
And Promotes Sustainability
The UAE is working with GE to build a 5,000-megawatt solar park in Dubai.
The UAE is a regional problem solver that adds to American security. As a dependable partner and ally, the UAE works with US military personnel to…
UNITED IN SECURITY
Preserve Regional Stability
Over the past three decades, the UAE has participated alongside the US on six military coalition actions to preserve security and stability around the world.
And Combat Extremism, on the Battlefield…
UAE forces coordinate with US and international partners to defeat extremist groups across the region.
And Beyond
Through the bilateral Sawab Center and other initiatives, the UAE works with the US to counter extremist propaganda and terrorist messaging in the online space.
The United Arab Emirates has an open, progressive vision for the Middle East. More than 200 nationalities live in the Emirates, making it one of the most diverse countries in the world. People of all faiths have the freedom to worship, and women are empowered to succeed in leadership roles across society – from government to business and tech to the arts. Founded in 1971 at an international crossroads of cultures and ideas, the UAE has rapidly become a global hub for commerce, innovation and discovery. Visionaries and entrepreneurs from around the world, inspired by the national philosophy of inclusion and opportunity, convene in the Emirates to shape a better future for the region and beyond. In the UAE…
Advanced artificial intelligence is used to improve the quality of life.
The world’s largest solar power plant is making renewable energy cost-competitive with hydrocarbons.
Expo 2021 Dubai is connecting the world’s most innovative minds.
Peaceful nuclear energy is supplying clean electricity to homes across the country.
And the budding UAE space industry is sending the Arab world’s first spacecraft to another planet.
These initiatives and others are possible thanks to the UAE’s deeply held values of innovation, inclusion, and optimism – values the UAE shares with the United States. United by common values and shared interests, the UAE and the US are close friends and strong allies. Through close collaboration, the two countries create economic prosperity, promote regional security, and address pressing global challenges. For over a decade straight, the UAE has been the largest American export market in the Middle East, trading with all 50 states, supporting hundreds of thousands of American jobs, and facilitating bilateral investment. The UAE has also forged strong ties with cultural, medical, and philanthropic institutions in the US to help enrich and improve the lives of people in both countries and around the globe. Find out more at www.uaeusaunited.com
Back
In the United Arab Emirates, women are making big strides in the world of sports. Pioneers like Emirati hockey player Fatima Al Ali are shattering expectations on and off the ice. Former NHL star Peter Bondra was so impressed by Fatima’s talent and determination, he invited the young athlete to Washington, DC to meet her heroes – the Washington Capitals.
In 2019, over 7,500 athletes from 190 countries came to Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates, to compete in the first Special Olympics World Games to take place in the Middle East. Today, the UAE continues to actively encourage inclusion and respect. Through its partnership with Special Olympics International, the UAE is pioneering a series of nationwide programs to ensure people of determination get to fulfill their potential far into the future.
In September 2019, United Arab Emirates astronaut Hazza Al Mansouri became the first astronaut from the Arab world to set foot inside the International Space Station. The achievement was the product of years of work to develop the UAE national space program, the most advanced of its kind in the Arab world. Now, Al Mansouri’s historic achievement is inspiring millions of young people across the region to pursue careers in science and technology, bringing hope for the future of UAE space exploration.
Through an innovative partnership with the Cleveland Clinic, one of America’s top medical centers, the United Arab Emirates is expanding access to quality healthcare in the Middle East. Since opening in 2015, the Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi hospital has brought world-class experts and cutting-edge technology to improve patient health in the UAE and across the region.
The future looks bright for sustainability in the United Arab Emirates. Through collaboration with US partners, the UAE is addressing climate change by focusing on alternative energy sources. With ambitious new initiatives – including Noor Abu Dhabi solar park, the largest solar energy project in the world - UAE culture is quickly becoming recognized as a global leader in sustainable development.
“In 2001, as a young adult watching the 9/11 tragedy unfold, I asked myself two questions: what sort of world are we heading towards, and what can I do about it?” says Hedayah Center Executive Director H.E. Ahmed Al Qasimi. “At that moment I promised myself that I’d dedicate the remainder of my adult life to fighting extremism and terrorism. Almost a decade later, at Hedayah, I am still on that road to fulfilling that promise by working towards establishing a better world for future generations.” Hedayah was among one of the first initiatives established by The Global Counter Terrorism Forum (GCTF), an international platform comprised of 29 countries and the European Union. The Forum’s overarching mission is to reduce the vulnerability of people worldwide to terrorism by preventing, combating, and prosecuting terrorist acts and countering incitement and recruitment to terrorism. In 2011, as one of the co-chairs of the CVE (countering violent extremism) GCTF Working Group, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) offered to host the Center, naming it Hedayah, which means ‘guidance’ in Arabic. The Center welcomes diverse and holistic perspectives to address the root causes of violent extremism. According to Al Qasimi, the Center recognizes that combating violent extremism and terrorism solely from a policing and security approach has its limitations. Hedayah delivers long-term, sustainable solutions to counter extremism through research and evidence-based programs, hands-on training, and curricula. Its experts work with governments and a range of other entities spanning civil society, NGOs, the tech industry, women cooperatives, teachers, religious and community leaders, and others. As the threat of extremist violence evolves and changes daily, Hedayah continually adapts and coordinates its efforts, closely monitoring new patterns and trends to remain on the leading edge of counter-extremism. Hedayah’s annual conference brings together experts, policy-makers, practitioners, and researchers to discuss countering extremism in a safe space, share research, identify new threats, and provide pragmatic solutions. Over the years, the Center has established itself globally as a reliable partner in providing accurate insights, advice, expertise, and lessons learned to practitioners and policy-makers. Al Qasimi’s longstanding personal and professional ties to the United States and the United Nations have profoundly informed his leadership. He previously served as acting Consul General of the UAE Consulate in Houston, Texas, and worked for several years at the UAE Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York, where he engaged closely with the UN Security Council. “Working at the UAE Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York helped me gain an in-depth, global understanding of the complexities around violent extremism and terrorism,” he says. “We rely on partnerships with both the public and private sectors,” Al Qasimi explains. “We’ve recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the United Nations Office for Counter-terrorism (UNOCT), and are actively working to determine key areas in which we can collaborate.” Hedayah has also worked with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), specifically in training programs to help countries develop P/CVE National Action Plans, in South-East Asia and with UN Women. As a member of the GCTF and of Hedayah’s International Steering board (comprised of eleven member nations and the European Union), the United States provides strategic leadership and funding for Hedayah programs. The U.S. Department of State played a significant role in advocating for the launch of the Center and this partnership remains essential to its mission. Since its inception, Hedayah has successfully implemented 160 programs in 100 countries while training and empowering over 3,000 individuals in their respective countries through evidence-based programs. Hedayah’s monitoring, measurement, and evaluation tools (MME) are integrated into each program in order to help ensure positive and tangible outcomes. In the Caucuses region, for example, the Center is training teachers, civil society entities, local municipalities, social workers, and psychologists on early warning interventions to recognize signs of radicalization among students and youth. These efforts are preventing vulnerable young people from travelling to areas of conflict to join terrorist groups. Since the implementation of the program, over one hundred successful cases of interventions and preventions have been reported. “We do not deal with violent extremism as a constant phenomenon,” Al Qasimi explains. “In our view, violent extremism is shifting from the religious narrative to the political sphere. We’re witnessing increasing acts of terrorism committed under the pretext of ethno-nationalist movements and the radical far right.” According to Al Qasimi, this threat is highly adaptable, transnational, and constantly morphing in a way that does not distinguish between religious faith, ethnicity, social status, geographic boundaries, or gender. “Overall, we’re dealing with a much larger number and variety of groups who are susceptible to radical ideologies, so we’re taking a holistic, proactive approach,” he says. “Though we use the term ‘countering’ violent extremism, we don’t mean that Hedayah is reactive or responsive in nature. In fact, most of our programs focus more on preventative and preemptive approaches.” Another successful initiative undertaken by Hedayah involved providing religious leaders in Afghanistan, Tajikistan, South Sudan, and the Maldives with training on how to counter violent extremism. The training taught leaders how to be a positive influence in their communities, spread tolerance, and detect early signs of radicalization within vulnerable groups. The Center recently brought together a group of former right-wing radicals to talk about their experiences alongside a group of psychologists. Through this experience, they mapped out their experiences and highlighted the driving factors behind their radicalization. The report, titled Mapping the Experience of Formers to Streamline the Process of Engaging in CVE, is publicly shared on the Hedayah website. “As a donor-driven organization, we want to address all of these grievances and issues, but it’s not always feasible given budget and timeline constraints,” Al Qasimi explains. “However, throughout the years, we have produced multiple documents, in collaboration with the GCTF, that address many of these issues.” In working closely with the GCTF, the Hedayah Center has been able to provide insights and expertise to develop a variety of tools, policies, and good practices, including: • The GCTF Toolkit on the Role of Families in Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism; • Guidelines and Good Practices: Developing National P/CVE Strategies and Action Plans; • Malta Principles for Reintegrating Returning Foreign Terrorist Fighters; • Abu Dhabi Memorandum of Good Practices for Education and CVE; and • The Abu Dhabi Plan of Action for Education and CVE. In addition, the Center has developed a first-of-its-kind mobile application that serves as a monitoring, measurement, and evaluation tool for CVE. It helps organizations and those working in the field set up projects to measure impact, and covers areas such as Theory of Change objectives, activities, and indicators. For more information on The Hedayah Center, visit its website.
Katy Brennan, Special to the The Hill
Global Cooperation and International Partnerships
Pre-empting a Continually Shifting Threat
Toolkits for Change, from Policies and Best Practices to Apps for Fieldwork
"We’re now in the process of taking our technology internationally and making a lot of progress"
—Carbon Engineering CEO Steve Oldham
| Katy Brennan is a New York-
At the opening of Louvre Abu Dhabi in November 2017, French President Emmanuel Macron evoked Dostoyevsky’s conviction that “beauty will save the world.” As he stood alongside Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the French leader aptly crossed regional and cultural boundaries to celebrate the fruit of a ten-year project that, in Macron’s words, “[expresses] the highest degree of humanity.” At a time when divisions threaten to weaken the bonds of partnership essential for all nations and cultures to thrive and grow, Louvre Abu Dhabi celebrates what is universal, connective, and healing. Built at the crossroads of Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas, the Louvre Abu Dhabi serves not only as a repository for masterpieces from every continent but as a cultural bridge between them. In celebrating the museum’s launch, the French President described how Louvre Abu Dhabi will help unite people across boundaries. “What we’re beginning together is our fight for what is human, it’s our unwavering fight against all self-absorption and hateful language,” he said. “It’s our determination to protect what is beautiful, what is universal, creation, reason, intelligence and fraternity, because it’s what has made each and every one of us.” To reflect this universality, galleries in Louvre Abu Dhabi are separated not by the geographic origins of the works, but by chronology, guiding visitors along a journey through the shared human experience from pre-history to the present. Located on Saadiyat Island, along the shore of the Arabian Gulf in the heart of the United Arab Emirates’ capital city, architect Jean Nouvel’s design presents a city in itself, composed of 55 small buildings connected by narrow walkways reminiscent of an Arabian medina, topped by a floating silvery dome. The dome itself is composed of 7,850 stars, repeated in various sizes, angles, and layers to filter the powerful desert sunlight for an effect known as the ‘rain of light,’ much as the palm trees of Abu Dhabi create a dappled pattern on the ground. As visitors walk through each building and along the seaside paths, they experience the interplay of sun, sea, art, and architecture. Although the Coronavirus pandemic has made it harder to visit the museum in-person, art lovers can still tour Louvre Abu Dhabi virtually as the museum has accelerated its digital offerings during this period (many other UAE arts institutions have also made their collections available online). Following the museum’s closure in March due to the pandemic, Louvre Abu Dhabi reopened to the public on June the 24th, allowing visitors to once again enjoy the museum’s beautiful architecture and the masterpieces in its collection. According to Louvre Abu Dhabi, the museum is designed to inspire a feeling of deep peace and transcendence. More than a tribute to nature and a reflection of the city in which it lies, the structure intentionally evokes a spiritual experience. As Macron said, “something about it recalls sacred buildings throughout the world.” Throughout the collection, visitors will discover works associated with a wide range of religions from human history. In the museum’s Gallery of Universal Religions, the Qur’an, a Gothic Bible, and a Torah are given equal prominence. In addition to the spirit of international partnerships, the museum reflects the UAE’s ecumenical acceptance of other faiths and the open-minded vision of the UAE’s founding father, Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan. In describing his commitment to inclusion, Sheikh Zayed emphatically declared that “Islam is a religion of tolerance and forgiveness, of dialogue and understanding. To treat every person… as a special soul is a mark of Islam. It is just that point, embodied in the humanitarian tenets of Islam, that makes us so proud.” In keeping with this inclusive vision, Louvre Abu Dhabi welcomes millions of visitors from around the world to explore an international collection of artworks and artifacts that, in the words of museum director Manuel Rabaté, “celebrates cultural exchange and highlights how interconnected we’ve always been.” As the world grows closer together, an understanding and appreciation of the values that connect people across cultures is more important than ever before. “Louvre Abu Dhabi represents a new kind of museum, a national museum with a universal narrative reimagined for the 21st century,” Rabaté said. “We have the opportunity to tell a completely new story about the history of the world, a story that will affect how we see humanity everywhere.” That spirit of religious, cultural, and interpersonal harmony, reflected in its collections and special exhibitions, makes Louvre Abu Dhabi a powerful beacon of creativity and connection.
“The Louvre Abu Dhabi represents a new kind of museum, a national museum with a universal narrative reimagined for the 21st century. We have the opportunity to tell a completely new story about the history of the world, a story that will affect how we see humanity everywhere.”
—Manuel Rabaté, Director of Louvre Abu Dhabi
Situated along the Arabian Gulf on Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Island, the Louvre Abu Dhabi has become one of the city’s most striking landmarks.
The design of the museum's dome imitates the effect of sunlight filtered through the leaves of palm trees.
Before Iraqi forces retook the city of Mosul from ISIS invaders, nearly 28 sites of religious significance had been destroyed. Now, an international partnership led by the United Arab Emirates is working with local leaders to rebuild the historic city. In addition to Muslim spaces of worship such as the symbolic Al Nuri Mosque, Christian sites are among those being prioritized through this restoration project. The UAE is one of the first nations in the world to help reconstruct Christian churches following the liberation of Mosul. Significant Christian sites that were damaged during the occupation of Mosul include the 800-year-old Al Tahera Church of Syriac Catholics, considered to be one of the largest and oldest churches in the Midan area of Mosul’s Old City, and the Al Saa’a Church, also known as The Conventional Church of Our Lady of the Hour’. Built by priests of the Dominican Order between 1866 and 1873, the Al Saa’a Church became a living example of brotherhood between the people of Mosul by providing equal education to people of all faiths. The focus on these sites reflects, in part, the United Arab Emirates’ commitment to building interfaith partnerships, inclusion and tolerance throughout the Middle East region. The overarching goal of the restoration program is to help Iraq shape its future as a more inclusive, tolerant and open society. In essence, the UAE is helping the people of Mosul revive and reclaim the true spirit of their city, which has long been a historic haven of peaceful coexistence between different religious and ethnic groups. This restoration aims to create over 1,000 jobs in the city, most significantly for young people who represent the future of Iraq. In April 2018, the United Arab Emirates, UNESCO and the Government of Iraq signed an agreement to rebuild the cultural heritage of Mosul. The UAE’s significant financial commitment of over $50 million to UNESCO initially focused on the restoration and reconstruction of other historic landmarks in Mosul, notably the Al Nuri Mosque and its celebrated, leaning 45-metre Al-Hadba Minaret, built more than 840 years ago. Now entering its third year, the project continues on with a meticulous, historically faithful reconstruction of the Leaning Minaret, the Al Nuri Mosque and adjacent buildings. The project now also includes restoration of other mosques and churches, as well as some of the city’s historic gardens and other open spaces and infrastructure. A museum and a memorial site will exhibit and preserve remnants of the restored mosques and churches. More broadly, this initiative reflects the UAE’s efforts to help rebuild Iraq by providing financial and in-kind support, including medical treatment, hospital reconstruction, humanitarian supplies and police training. The recent partnership with UNESCO builds on the UAE’s $500 million pledge, made during the Kuwait International Conference in 2018, to support reconstruction and sustainable development efforts across Iraq. In the wake of devastation and in the face of ongoing challenges throughout the country and the region, the rebuilding of sacred sites offers inspiration and hope; resources that are as crucial to Iraq’s future as any material aid.
When Hurricane Irma hit the Florida Keys in September 2017, it devastated the region’s coral reef infrastructure. The Keys are home to the only barrier reef in North America, and approximately 60 percent of the region’s residents have an occupation that is dependent on the marine ecosystem. Restoring coral reefs in the Florida Keys is more than a mission to save the environment; it’s an effort to rebuild communities and protect livelihoods. As part of a larger $10 million pledge to Florida communities to support Hurricane Irma recovery efforts, the United Arab Emirates has granted $3.5 million in funds to help restore seven iconic reefs in the Florida Keys. The UAE is working with United Way of Collier and the Keys and experts at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to implement the grant, alongside other local, state, national and international stakeholders. The grant is funding projects that ensure the viability of the reef and thereby the financial stability of the Florida Keys community who depend upon it to provide over $4.7 billion in annual revenue. In addition to restoring vital marine life to the reefs themselves, the gift promises to keep giving on many levels. It will also promote international climate exchanges and sharing of best practices as well as local educational opportunities. By encouraging local youth engagement, it will empower future generations to support restoration, sustainability, and conservation efforts; issues important to both Florida and the UAE. “This is what friends do for each other in times of need,” says Yousef Al Otaiba, United Arab Emirates Ambassador to the United States. “The UAE is delighted to be able to help the Florida Keys community in this special way and begin to restore its iconic coral reefs. We share the same planet and face the same challenges. That’s why the UAE is so proud to collaborate with partners in the US and around the world to better protect and preserve vital ecosystems.” Dana Al Marashi, Head of Cultural Diplomacy at the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Washington, DC, describes the mission as a humanitarian and environmental effort born of experience. “Protecting coral reefs is just as important in the United Arab Emirates as it is in the United States or anywhere else in the world,” she says. “So, for us, this is an opportunity to explore shared interests and to further deepen the relationship between the United Arab Emirates and the United States.” Over the last 40 years, coral reefs in the Florida Keys have suffered dramatic declines. Just two percent of healthy stony coral cover remains at each of the sites designated as significant by NOAA’s “Mission: Iconic Reefs,” a 20-year, $97 million effort to restore seven ecologically and culturally significant coral reefs within Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Informed by expertise from years of research and successful trials, the plan aims to ultimately revitalize the reefs to a healthy and sustainable 25 percent stony coral cover. “Investments in pioneering restoration efforts like ‘Mission: Iconic Reefs’ can be beneficial not just in the Florida Keys but also in reefs around the world, where corals suffer stress from human use, climate change, and other factors," said Nicole LeBoeuf, acting director of NOAA's National Ocean Service. "By working together, we can create a lasting legacy in the Florida Keys and help support coral restoration efforts worldwide, in turn, providing economic security for communities that depend on healthy marine environments.” It is not only the millions of tiny marine animals and plants that will directly benefit from reef restoration; but also the thousands of hardworking families who are dependent on the reefs and marine life, yet are still struggling from the effects of Hurricane Irma as well as recent economic downturns associated with the impact of COVID-19 on tourism and the hospitality industry. “This wonderful humanitarian gift will galvanize the critical reef restoration work necessary to revitalize the reef upon which our Florida Keys community depends,” said Holly Raschein, Representative for Florida House District 120. “Even more so, the education efforts will create change by teaching young people, our next generation, to be stewards of our marine environment and by providing opportunities for their financial advancement. This stewardship is something our local community, and their future, depends on. We could not be more grateful for the United Way’s partnership with the UAE to improve our community.” Among the long-term educational programs supported by the UAE gift are the Coral Restoration Learning Exchange program between the UAE and the Coral Restoration Consortium, a group of coral restoration scientists and educators dedicated to enabling coral reef ecosystems to survive and thrive. This partnership with Monroe County School District provides access to marine science education to 8,500 local school children. Additionally, the gift supports a UAE Marine Science Scholarship fund for youth from Monroe County, Florida, who are pursuing degrees in marine science and related fields. The UAE also looks forward to being a co-presenting sponsor for the Reef Futures 2021 Conference, to be held in Key Largo, Florida, in May 2021. The UAE has long supported this community in South Florida through a range of Irma recovery efforts in Collier County. This includes restoring Grace Place Children and Families’ recreational facilities, upgrading its technology infrastructure and enhancing its food pantry. The funds are also providing needed repairs to hurricane-damaged homes of disadvantaged families throughout the Golden Gate community. The UAE is currently working with United Way of Collier and the Keys and Collier County Public Schools in the Everglades City and Immokalee areas to provide Wi-Fi for underserved youth to support future success.
A Future-Oriented Impact
Restoring the Environment and the Economy
Helping Friends in Times of Need
For more than a decade, the United Arab Emirates has been the top export market for US goods in the Middle East. The UAE-US economic relationship also contributes to growth and job creation in communities around the country. In Saratoga County, New York, UAE-owned GlobalFoundries operates the world’s most advanced semiconductor chip manufacturing facility. The renowned Fab 8 facility employs more than 3,000 skilled workers and has transformed the regional economy.
The United Arab Emirates is taking a cutting-edge approach to address 21st century challenges. In fact, the UAE has been ranked as the number one environment for innovation in the Arab world for five years straight. The UAE-US partnership applies innovative practices in fields ranging from renewable energy to AI, space, science and engineering. This partnership also equips young people with the tools and skills needed to lead in today’s rapidly changing world, paving the way towards a brighter future for the entire region.
In July 2020, the United Arab Emirates became the first Arab nation to send a mission to Mars. In collaboration with some of America’s most prestigious academic research institutions, the UAE has sent a groundbreaking weather satellite to “The Red Planet.” Expected to enter Mars’ orbit in 2021, the spacecraft – aptly called Al Amal, or “Hope” in Arabic – will help scientists better understand the Martian climate, while inspiring Arab youth to pursue future-oriented careers in science and engineering.
In August 2020, the United Arab Emirates became the first country in the Arab World to produce clean electricity from nuclear energy. The Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant in Abu Dhabi is the product of over a decade of strategic planning, international cooperation, and a commitment to clean energy. Developed according to the highest international standards of safety, security, and transparency, the Barakah plant will produce 25 percent of the UAE’s electricity when fully operational. With American cooperation and support, the UAE Peaceful Nuclear Energy Program is enhancing the nation’s leading role in the global clean energy transition.
Since its establishment in 1971, the United Arab Emirates has supported world-class healthcare infrastructure that has transformed the quality of life in the Gulf region. Today, the UAE provides state-of-the-art medical care to disadvantaged communities globally. Through partnerships with US organizations like the Gates Foundation and the End Fund, the UAE is improving health and helping eradicate preventable diseases in places where there are significant needs.
In the United Arab Emirates, an increasing number of diverse citizens are making their voices heard through the country’s main legislative body - the Federal National Council, or FNC. In fact, women hold 50% of all seats in the FNC. Trailblazing leaders like Dr. Hawaa Al Mansouri are spearheading new policies of inclusion and prosperity for all Emiratis.
Inspired by the historic visit of Pope Francis to Abu Dhabi, the Abrahamic Family House will be a new interfaith center in the UAE. Including a church, mosque and synagogue, the center will bring together followers of different faiths in one place like never before. The Abrahamic Family House will serve as a location for learning, dialogue and worship, continuing the United Arab Emirates’ longstanding tradition of religious coexistence and sending an unmistakable message of peace across the region.
Being a true friend and partner means extending a helping-hand when it’s needed most. In 2017, Hurricanes Harvey and Irma wreaked havoc in Texas and Florida. The United Arab Emirates government stepped up to help by pledging over $10 million in recovery efforts to both states. Time and again, UAE officials have helped American communities recover from natural disasters including the Joplin tornado, Hurricane Sandy and Katrina. Today, the positive impact of these humanitarian efforts can be seen across the United States.
For nearly 50 years, the United Arab Emirates has partnered with Johns Hopkins Medicine to improve global health. From establishing a state-of-the-art stroke diagnosis and treatment institute in Baltimore to implementing an advanced degree program for public health in the UAE, this enduring partnership embodies the UAE’s commitment to work with international partners to improve healthcare around the world.
For more than ten years, the United Arab Emirates has worked closely with Children’s National Hospital in Washington, DC to improve children’s health around the world. In 2009, the UAE partnered with Children’s to establish the Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation, a state-of-the-art facility that has pioneered a number of breakthroughs in pediatric surgical technology. This innovative partnership continues to grow; through new initiatives in Washington, DC and abroad, the UAE and Children’s National Hospital are working together to make pediatric surgery less invasive, less painful, and more effective.
The United Arab Emirates is leading global efforts to generate clean power through renewable energy sources. Masdar, the Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company, is supporting and implementing renewable energy projects around the world. In addition, the UAE is home to the headquarters of IRENA, the International Renewable Energy Agency. This organization, with more than 160 member nations, advocates for policies and technology solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
For thirty years, the United Arab Emirates has worked with the United States to promote security and stability in the Middle East and around the world. The UAE and US militaries have joined forces in six coalition actions over the past three decades, from the Gulf War, to Bosnia, to the campaign against ISIS. That legacy of close military cooperation continues to this day. Through joint training exercises and operational missions, the UAE and the US armed forces are united to advance peace and security across the Middle East.
The Middle East is one of the world’s youngest regions, where more than 60% of the population is under 30. Reflecting a national commitment to empower young voices, the United Arab Emirates has emerged as the top choice for young people from around the region to live and work. To build on this progress, the UAE is working with the US to engage youth in national discussions and empower the next generation of UAE leaders.
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Katy Bennan, Special to The Hill
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Formed as a federation in 1971 at a crossroads of cultures and ideas, the United Arab Emirates is a global hub for commerce, innovation and discovery. 200 nationalities live and work side by side in the Emirates, where people of all faiths have the freedom to worship and women hold leadership roles across society. In line with the country’s forward-looking vision, in 2020 the UAE will break ground on an interfaith worship center, send a satellite probe to Mars and host Expo 2020, the first world’s fair to take place in the Middle East. These initiatives and others are possible thanks to the UAE’s deeply held values of innovation, inclusion and optimism – values the UAE shares with the United States. Find out more at www.uaeusaunited.com.
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