H.E Sheikh Sultan bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Authority of Culture and Heritage (ADACH), stressed that ADACH is now playing a key role in supporting creativity and promoting cultural dialogue, as well as implementing a strategy aimed at protecting the cultural heritage of Abu Dhabi, which is strongly connected to the legacy and values of its ancestors.

 

Sheikh Sultan highlighted Abu Dhabi's intense efforts that focus on the preservation and promotion of UAE culture and heritage, as a means to introduce the Emirati, Arab as well as Islamic culture to the world. He also expressed the Authority’s full readiness to cooperate closely with the Chinese Ministry of Culture, noting that cooperation between the two entities is a first step which will be translated into many multi-cultural events and activities.

 

The statement came on the sidelines of signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Abu Dhabi Authority of Culture and Heritage (ADACH) and the Chinese Ministry of Culture, during a recent visit by H.H General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, to the People's Republic of China this August.

 

H.E Sheikh Sultan said that the MoU will play an essential role in supporting mutual understanding and dialogue between cultures and civilizations, as a key element of cultural progress. He also noted that ADACH is implementing a strategy that in its most part focuses on promoting cultural diplomacy as its approach.

 

Cai Wu, Chinese Minister of Culture, said the development and progress of Abu Dhabi is very similar to what China has achieved in terms of developing museums and a sound cultural infrastructure. He talked about the Chinese festival of culture, set to be held in Abu Dhabi soon to highlight the Chinese art and culture, and invited ADACH to take part in the Shanghai International Exhibition next year, through an array of cultural activities.

 

Mr. Wu, who visited Abu Dhabi 10 years ago, hailed the development and progress it has seen on the social, economic and cultural levels.

 

For his part, Mohammed Khalaf Al Mazrouei, Director General of ADACH, said that the signing of the MoU signals the success of the discussions and efforts that have been ongoing through a period of one year to determine the strategic areas of focus regarding cooperation in the future, noting that this cooperation will result in several projects in terms of developing museums and organizing historical and art exhibitions, as well as performance and theatrical activities. 

 

Al Mazrouei stressed that the UAE has a clear constructive cultural role that serves the region’s need to integration, cooperation and mutual cultural achievements, and helps strengthen cultural relationships with other countries, including China.