Latest news with #Kaabi
Al Etihad
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Al Etihad
UAE, Lebanese ministers underscore cultural heritage as 'a bridge to peace'
1 May 2025 16:08 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)The Abu Dhabi International Book Fair 2025 hosted a panel discussion titled 'Heritage for Peace: Safeguarding Heritage Sites in Conflict Zones', with the participation of Noura Al Kaabi, UAE Minister of State, and Dr. Ghassan Salamé, Lebanon's Minister of session focused on the vital role of cultural heritage in promoting peace, and rebuilding societies affected by conflict. Both speakers emphasised that the preservation of heritage serves as a bridge for peace, and a pillar for identity preservation, in war-torn Kaabi highlighted UAE-led initiatives that demonstrate how safeguarding cultural sites can support post-conflict recovery. The UNESCO-led 'Revive the Spirit of Mosul' project in Iraq – supported by the UAE – is rebuilding historic landmarks such as Mosul's Al-Nouri Mosque and Al-Tahera Church. More than 1,700 young Iraqis have been trained through this initiative to restore heritage sites and contribute to community reconstruction."Protecting both tangible and intangible culture is a top priority for the UAE," Al Kaabi said, underlining that the preservation of heritage is a collective responsibility, and "an integral part of fostering human dialogue and building bridges between peoples." She added that cultural heritage forms a fundamental element of community identity, and lays the foundations for peace and Kaabi also discussed the UAE's role in the International Alliance for the Protection of Heritage in Conflict Areas (ALIPH), launched in partnership with France. Through ALIPH, the UAE has supported more than 500 projects worldwide dedicated to protecting and restoring cultural heritage. These efforts, she explained, align with the UAE's broader vision of raising global awareness, regarding the value of heritage, in building a sustainable future for the next generation. The international partnerships also underscore the significance of funding and collaborative action in safeguarding humanity's shared Ghassan Salamé commended the UAE's contributions, and stressed the need for inclusive, community-driven approaches to heritage preservation."Restoring heritage should not be left to international organisations alone – it must be a joint effort that engages local people and institutions, especially in countries facing economic challenges," Salamé cited the success of the Mosul reconstruction as a model example of how global and local partners can work hand in hand, calling it 'a successful model of international-local collaboration in reviving heritage'. He also shared examples from Lebanon, including a youth-led initiative in Beirut to rehabilitate historic quarters after the 2020 port explosion, and community restoration efforts in Tripoli that have helped foster reconciliation. These case studies, he noted, illustrate the power of cultural projects in healing social divisions and rebuilding Al Kaabi and Dr. Salamé underscored that cultural heritage is more than physical structures; it is a source of identity, pride, and continuity for communities. Both sides agreed that safeguarding heritage in conflict zones not only preserves history but also unites people and restores normalcy. The panel concluded with a call for greater international cooperation and commitment to this cause. The speakers urged governments, international agencies and local stakeholders to integrate cultural heritage protection into peacebuilding policies, increase funding for restoration projects, and support grassroots initiatives. They affirmed that these concerted efforts will ensure that heritage sites can endure as symbols of resilience and bridges of peace for future generations.
Al Etihad
09-04-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
UAE unveils details of its national pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka-Kansai, Japan
9 Apr 2025 08:21 ABU DHABI (WAM) The United Arab Emirates on Tuesday unveiled the full vision for its national pavilion for Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, taking place in Japan from April 13- October 13, was announced during a media briefing organised by the National Media Office (NMO).Located within the Empowering Lives Zone, the UAE Pavilion presents a bold vision of collective progress through its theme, Earth to Ether. This theme reflects the country's ongoing journey from its deeply rooted cultural heritage to a future driven by innovation, imagination, and exploration – bridging the physical and intangible on the UAE's ambition to empower all life from Earth to Ether, the Pavilion delivers a clear and compelling message. The nation is driving collective progress for humanity and the planet by advancing space exploration, reimagining healthcare, and pioneering sustainable than an architectural landmark or national exhibit, the pavilion is an invitation to invites the world to engage with the UAE's ideas, values, and ambitions, and to explore how a country rooted in heritage is helping shape a flourishing future for all life on the planet and this occasion, Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, Minister of State, and Commissioner of Expo Office - UAE said, 'The UAE's participation in World Expos has consistently reflected a commitment to dialogue, collaboration, and the pursuit of collective progress.'She emphasised that the UAE Expo Office views each Expo not merely as a moment in time, but as a dynamic platform to showcase the nation's core values on the global stage, strengthen partnerships, advance sustainability, and foster deeper cultural Kaabi added that returning to Japan 55 years after the UAE's first participation in the Expo represents a continuation of the country's legacy of meaningful presence, reflecting its commitment to building a more inclusive and interconnected global minister affirmed, in statements to WAM, that the UAE's participation in "Expo 2025 Osaka-Kansai" will centre around youth, highlighting the involvement of 24 talented Emirati youth ambassadors alongside 20 Japanese youth who are fluent in around seven explained that this distinction will play a major and effective role in ensuring the UAE's message is expressed her eagerness to share with visitors to the UAE Pavilion in Osaka a wealth of inspiring stories about the nation's dreamers and achievers, stressing that young people have accomplished many innovations across various fields, which opens opportunities to build partnerships with the Japanese public and visitors to the pavilion at "Expo 2025."UAE Ambassador to Japan, and Commissioner-General of the UAE Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, Shihab Al Faheem, said, 'UAE Pavilion reflects the country's approach to shaping the future and embodies resilience, openness, and the ability to strengthen global cooperation to achieve collective progress.'He pointed out that the UAE's return to Osaka carries significant symbolic and strategic meaning, as Abu Dhabi's first participation in World Expos was at Expo 1970 Osaka. 'Today, more than 50 years later, the UAE returns with a global voice calling for cooperation and understanding achieving further progress and development.'During his remarks at the media briefing, the ambassador also highlighted the deep strategic and economic ties between the UAE and Japan, noting that non-oil trade between the two countries reached approximately Dh64 billion in 2024, a 32 percent increase compared to 2023. He explained that the UAE is Japan's top trading partner in the Arabian Gulf part of the leadership team guiding the UAE Pavilion journey to Expo 2025 Osaka, the UAE Expo Office has appointed Mariam Al Memari, Head of the UAE Expo Office, and Shaikha Al Ketbi, UAE Pavilion Creative Director, as Deputy Commissioner General of the Pavilion. In these roles, they will work alongside Shihab Al Faheem to ensure that the Pavilion delivers an impactful national narrative, fosters meaningful global engagement, and brings to life the UAE's vision for Expo 2025 as a platform for innovation, collaboration, and collective UAE Pavilion at Expo 2025 is a testament to global collaboration, uniting Emirati, Japanese, and international expertise in a collective design process that merges tradition with innovation. Drawing inspiration from the iconic date palm, the pavilion reinterprets areesh—traditional Emirati vernacular architecture—by integrating agricultural date palm waste with masterful Japanese woodworking Pavilion's signature feature is a striking forest of 90 rachis columns, soaring up to 16 meters. The design sets the tone for a pavilion that represents a story of partnership, sustainability and shared the six-month duration, the UAE Pavilion will host opportunities for learning, collaboration and the co-creation of new futures through its curated calendar of more than 40 public-facing Pavilion programming includes sustainable technology forums, healthcare dialogues, youth empowerment activities and discussions on space exploration and technological innovation and expands into Expo Osaka's thematic weeks. Each experience reflects how tradition drives innovation, fostering a culture of open dialogue and inquiry.A major moment for the pavilion will be the celebration of UAE National Day. This event will showcase the UAE's culture, leadership and spirit through a series of high-profile activations and performances. It will serve as a national celebration on a global stage, reinforcing the UAE's role as a connector, a convener and a country committed to shared National Day at Expo 2025 Osaka is expected to draw international attention and will be among the most anticipated events of the six-month list of official partners of the UAE Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka-Kansai includes: ADNOC; PureHealth; Space42; and Department of Culture and Tourism.
