The Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO) honored, during the closing ceremony of Al Ain Book Festival, H.E. Sheikha Alyazia bint Nahyan Al Nahyan, ALECSO Ambassador Extraordinary for Culture.
In his remarks on this occasion, Mr. Ali bin Tamim, President of the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Center, said : “I am pleased that our gathering marks the conclusion of the ‘Al Ain Book Festival 2023’, this prominent cultural event that reflects the status of the city of Al Ain, its historical and heritage specificity, and its pioneering role in promoting the local cultural scene.” He extended his greetings to Sheikha Alyazia bint Nahyan Al Nahyan, Ambassador Extraordinary for Culture to ALECSO, and commended her efforts, vision and pivotal role whose positive impact is clearly felt by everyone.
Speaking on behalf of H.E. Dr. Mohamed Ould Amar, Director-General of ALECSO, Dr. Rami Iskander, Director of the Education Department, Acting Director of the Culture Department, stated : “Two years ago, the United Arab Emirates was honored with the first title of Ambassador for Arab Culture, granted to Sheikha Alyazia Bint Nahyan Al Nahyan. It is an honor and a commitment that reflect the leading role of the United Arab Emirates and the generous efforts of its wise leadership in promoting joint Arab cultural action and serving the issues of peace and sustainable development nationally, regionally and internationally. As Ambassador for Culture, Sheikha Alyazia has fulfilled her obligations to the Organization and its partners, and wisely led the project's activities at the national, regional and international levels.”
Dr. Iskander added that “ALECSO, in coordination with the UAE Ministry of Culture and Youth, appointed Sheikha Alyazia Bint Nahyan Al Nahyan as its first Ambassador for Arab culture, in recognition of her high stature and outstanding achievements in various fields of culture and creativity. This choice reflects ALECSO’s keenness to develop and diversify collaboration with the United Arab Emirates, which continues to sponsor and support a large number of the ALECSO’s programs and projects”.
Dr. Iskander stressed that the Ambassador for Culture has launched a large number of projects and initiatives to support the Organization's efforts in achieving its objectives as well as in implementing its plans to promote Arab culture and leverage it to achieve development in Arab countries. The Ambassador's initiatives have contributed to creating a positive image of Arab culture at the international level, and strengthened bonds between Arab culture and other world cultures. The Ambassador’s cultural activities at national level have had a significant impact, contributing to the visibility of the Organization and its activities in the State as well as within the decision-making, cultural, media, academic, educational and social spheres.
In her remarks on this occasion, Sheikha Alyazia said : “I extend my thanks and gratitude to our wise leadership. Had it not been for its wise vision and efforts, we would not have been able to strive for a bright and promising future. From the first moment, we realized that the mission of the Cultural Ambassadorship came in honor and appreciation of the UAE in the first place, which has spared no effort to open the doors of dialogue and cultural cooperation with our Arab world and the whole world, and to harness all capabilities.” Sheikha Alyazia thanked Dr. Mohamed Ould Omar, Director-General of ALECSO, for his confidence and for appointing her as Extraordinary Ambassador for Culture to ALECSO, as well as for his support for the mission of the Culture Ambassadorship. She stressed that her appointment as the first Arab Cultural Ambassador constitutes an honor and a challenge at the same time, amid the successive challenges and changes experienced by the entire world. Over two years, she added, intensive work has been undertaken to achieve what was planned and to shed light on key issues in the ever-expanding cultural and creative industries.
