Latest news with #QasrAlWatan
Gulf Business
16-05-2025
- Business
- Gulf Business
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed holds talks with US President Trump; visit highlights
Image: WAM UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan held talks with US President Donald Trump in Abu Dhabi on Thursday, focusing on strengthening the longstanding strategic partnership between the UAE and the US, state news agency WAM reported. The discussions took place at Qasr Al Watan during President Trump's state visit to the UAE, where he was The leaders reviewed bilateral ties and explored ways to expand cooperation across sectors including investment, energy, advanced technology, artificial intelligence, and industry. In remarks during the meeting, Sheikh Mohamed welcomed the US President and highlighted the significance of the visit in furthering cooperation at all levels. He commended Trump's efforts since taking office to enhance UAE-US relations, stating that both countries share a common vision of progress and prosperity. The two leaders also discussed regional and international developments, stressing the need to contain regional escalation, which they identified as a threat to security and stability, WAM reported. Image courtesy: WAM President Trump praised Sheikh Mohamed's leadership and said bilateral ties have reached new heights and continue to grow stronger. The two leaders also marked the launch of a 1GW artificial intelligence cluster, to be housed within a new AI campus in Abu Dhabi. President Trump signed the guestbook at Qasr Al Watan, expressing his appreciation for the warm welcome and reaffirming the strategic nature of US-UAE relations. He wished the country and its people continued progress and prosperity. To mark the occasion, Sheikh Mohamed hosted a dinner banquet in honour of President Trump and his accompanying delegation. President Trump awarded Order of Zayed During the visit, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan also awarded the Order of Zayed — the UAE's highest civilian honour granted to heads of state — to US President Donald Trump in recognition of his efforts to enhance cooperation between the UAE and US. Image courtesy: WAM The award also reflects the UAE's pride in the close and longstanding partnership between the two countries. US President's visit to Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque President Trump also had the opportunity to visit the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, accompanied by Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council. Image courtesy: Abu Dhabi Media Office
The National
16-05-2025
- Business
- The National
Donald Trump in Abu Dhabi: what to expect on final day of Gulf tour
US President Donald Trump will meet with American and Emirati business leaders on the final day of his Gulf tour. The US-UAE Business Council breakfast this morning at Qasr Al Watan follows the White House announcement of $200 billion worth of deals with the Emirates. The UAE government has not announced the deal from its side yet. Here's what to expect, according to the official US presidential schedule: - the US President will leave his hotel, the Ritz-Carlton on the Grand Canal, and travel to Qasr Al Watan shortly after 10pm - he will meet US business leaders who are based in the Emirates - then, the president will depart for the Abrahamic Family House on nearby Saadiyat Island, home to Louvre Abu Dhabi and the upcoming Zayed National Museum. The family house is a symbol of multi-faith acceptance and understanding, the seeds of which began with Pope Francis' visit to Abu Dhabi in 2019 - after the visit, Mr Trump will head straight to Abu Dhabi airport for a final farewell. Air Force One will depart for Suffolk in England to refuel and then on to Andrews Air Base in Maryland.
Emirates 24/7
16-05-2025
- Business
- Emirates 24/7
UAE, US Presidents discuss strategic partnership, regional developments
President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan today held talks with US President Donald Trump on the strategic partnership between the UAE and US, as well as ways to strengthen cooperation across various fields to serve shared interests. The two leaders also discussed regional and international issues of mutual concern. The discussions took place during President Trump's state visit to the UAE, where he was received by His Highness at Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi. His Highness welcomed the US President and emphasised the importance of this visit in advancing strategic cooperation between the two countries at all levels. He also commended President Trump's efforts to enhance UAE-US relations since taking office, noting that the two nations share a vision of further progress and prosperity. The two leaders explored opportunities to expand collaboration, particularly across the fields of investment, energy, advanced technology, artificial intelligence, industry, and other areas that support the two countries' determination to foster a more prosperous future. They also addressed regional and international issues of mutual concern, with a focus on containing regional escalation as a threat to security and stability. His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan affirmed that for over 50 years, the UAE and US have enjoyed a deep-rooted friendship and strategic partnership founded on mutual trust, respect, and shared interests. In this regard, His Highness highlighted the long history of cooperation between the two nations across the political, economic, and cultural domains. His Highness underscored the UAE's commitment to deepening cooperation with the United States in light of their longstanding efforts to promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the Middle East and around the world. This, he noted, is in line with the UAE's unwavering support for global stability, peace, and development through multilateral international cooperation. During the meeting, both leaders affirmed their joint aim to further enhance the UAE-US strategic partnership. His Highness also emphasised that over the years, the UAE has remained a reliable partner of the United States in addressing common challenges. The UAE, His Highness stated, is determined to continue strengthening this friendship for the benefit of both nations and their peoples while working together in support of peace and stability regionally and globally. His Highness pointed to the future-focused partnership between the UAE and US that has been further strengthened by President Trump's support, particularly in the fields of the new economy, advanced technology, and artificial intelligence. For his part, the US President praised the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, affirming that relations between the UAE and US have reached new heights and continue to grow stronger. His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and President Trump also celebrated the launch of a new 1GW AI cluster that will be housed within an Abu Dhabi-based AI campus. To mark the state visit, His Highness hosted a dinner banquet in honour of President Trump and his accompanying delegation. President Trump also signed the guestbook at Qasr Al Watan, expressing his pleasure at visiting the UAE and meeting with His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. He affirmed the enduring and strategic nature of US-UAE relations and the continued efforts of both nations to reinforce these ties in support of shared development, wishing the UAE and its people continued progress and prosperity. The meeting was attended by His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court; H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi; H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Defence; H.H. Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi and National Security Adviser; H.H. Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior; H.H. Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan; H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs; H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Special Affairs; Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Adviser to the UAE President; along a number of ministers and senior officials, as well as the delegation accompanying the US President. Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.
The National
15-05-2025
- Politics
- The National
Qasr Al Watan: Inside Abu Dhabi's Presidential Palace hosting Donald Trump
Live updates: Follow the latest on Trump's Gulf trip US President Donald Trump is to receive a royal welcome at Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi on Thursday as he embarks on the final leg of a milestone Gulf tour. Mr Trump will be the guest of honour at a dinner hosted by President Sheikh Mohamed at the palace of the nation in another high-profile engagement during a busy itinerary that has taken in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and will conclude in the Emirates. During Mr Trump's visit to the region - his biggest overseas trip since returning to the White House - US ties with the region have been strengthened, with important steps made towards bolstering peace and stability, and big-money deals being struck. Qasr Al Watan is only one part of the sprawling Presidential Palace compound in Ras Al Akhdar that was handed over by contractors in 2015 and finished in 2017. The palace houses the formal offices of the President, the Vice President and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi. Parts of the spectacular building were opened to the public in 2019, giving citizens and residents a glimpse into the famous halls in which many world leaders have set foot. The lavish grounds feature a labyrinth of white domes, ornate buildings and gardens. The crown jewel is the Great Hall, the architectural heart of Qasr Al Watan. It measures 100 metres by 100 metres and its huge 37m diameter dome is even larger than the main dome of Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. The hall's broader architectural style has flickers of Mughal-era design but also incorporates classic local motifs such as the arch, dome and ornate tile-work. At each corner of the Great Hall stands a mirrored cubes. The vast palace also features a room dedicated to displaying presidential gifts given to the UAE by countries across the globe. Carpets from Turkmenistan, an ornate sword and shield from Kazakhstan, armour from Japan and a beautiful khanjar from Oman all bring colour to the dry world of diplomacy. Al Barza majlis is another glittering centrepiece of the palace. The Emirati majlis is a place of gathering and council that can hold up to 300 guests and is decorated with impressive chandeliers and golden finishes. A fully prepared banquet hall serves as a celebration of Emirati hospitality. Plates are hand-painted, the food reflects the country where the host comes from, while tables at the front are half empty so guests do not turn their backs on the hosts. A popular meal served at these functions is quzi – an entire lamb sitting on a bed of rice. Visitors can also explore a huge public library with a collection spanning at least 40,000 books in both Arabic and English. People can access this free of charge when they join the emirate's library service. Qasr Al Watan has hosted a number of global leaders during state visits to the Emirates. World renowned guests include Chinese President Xi Jinping, the late Pope Francis during his milestone tour of the UAE in 2019, Russia's Vladimir Putin and Brazil President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. It also regularly stages meetings of the UAE Cabinet and other government gatherings and official ceremonies throughout the year.
The National
15-05-2025
- Business
- The National
Al Barza majlis at Abu Dhabi's Qasr Al Watan: Where dignitaries like US President Donald Trump are welcomed
Live updates: Follow the latest on Trump's Gulf trip Qasr Al Watan's Al Barza majlis will welcome US President Donald Trump during his visit to the UAE. The Emirati majlis is a place of gathering and council that can hold up to 300 guests and is decorated with impressive chandeliers and golden finishes. 'The Emirati majlis is the UAE's deep-rooted cultural tradition of hosting meetings for members of the community to deliberate and share information among each other,' explains a Qasr Al Watan statement about the space. 'Historically, a barza refers to a majlis session during which important matters can be brought to the attention of a sheikh.' Its sheer scale makes Al Barza an attraction in and of itself. It is the second-largest room in the palace, after the adjacent Great Hall. Abu Dhabi's presidential palace, Qasr Al Watan, or the Palace of the Nation, was completed in 2017 and opened in 2019. It explores the UAE's history and traditions through a vast collection of cultural artefacts, art and rare manuscripts. The political and faith leaders who have visited include the Pope Francis, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russia's Vladimir Putin. Qasr Al Watan has also hosted multiple UAE cabinet meetings. The latest one was held on May 6 was chaired by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. Visitors who take a guided tour of Qasr Al Watan or make use of the multimedia headsets on offer can learn more about the traditional role of majlises, which are 'designated spaces for cultural, political and social gatherings that embody the spirit of participatory politics in the UAE'. The Power of Words sculptures by Emirati artist Mattar bin Lahej were unveiled at Qasr Al Watan at 2019. The series of three sculptures was inspired by the words of Sheikh Zayed, the Founding Father of the UAE. A golden one is located inside, off the Great Hall, while two silver sculptures can be found in the garden. To enhance the visitor experience at Abu Dhabi's Qasr Al Watan, self-guided tours were made available in English, Arabic, German, Russian and Chinese in March last year. Visitors can rent a multimedia guide and headset at the palace's ticketing booth. Qasr Al Watan at Al Ras Al Akhdar, Abu Dhabi, is open daily from 11am-8pm; children's entry from Dh30, adult entry from Dh65
