Dubai: While countries across the Arab world continue to face conflict and fight terrorism, the GCC states remain a source of stability and security in the region, a senior official said on Sunday.
“The GCC states are gardens in the midst of fire,” said Dr Abdul Latif Al Zayani, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, at the opening ceremony of the Public Diplomacy and Government Communication Forum on Sunday.
“We view these challenges as opportunities, and we work to continue exporting stabilisation in the region and the world at large,” he said.
Al Zayani referred to the Yemen crisis as an example, where a challenge was taken up by the GCC Council under instructions from its leaders and reference from the United Nations to help end the war in 2011.
Referring to GCC countries as “entities of harmony,” Al Zayani, said the GCC council does not just send a message of peace, but reflects it in its states today. “We work to achieve safety and security for our citizens, and we believe in the values of peace and tolerance as a nation, and the non-intervention in the affairs of other countries,” he added. He pointed out the GCC states succeed in creating a safe environment for its citizens by promoting positivity, staying in touch with the younger generations, providing job opportunities, and working on human development projects.
Commenting on violence and extremism, Al Zayani said since 2005 terrorism has been one of the biggest challenges facing the world today.
“Terror has snatched our religion, and we need to restore it and protect our values and not deviate from them. Once again, I don’t see this challenge as a barrier, I see it more as an opportunity for solidarity and cooperation with other countries in the region,” he said.
Al Zayani pointed out the GCC states are moving from “reaction to action,” in their public diplomacy, and praised the efforts demonstrated by Foreign Affairs ministers in the region to build confidence and trust with their citizens through the principles of transparency, credibility and mutual respect.
“The most important characteristic of a secretary-general is optimism, and I am optimistic that the region is heading to a better future,” said Al Zayani.
Effective government communication
Meanwhile, Mona Al Merri, Director General of the Government of Dubai Media Office, discussed the importance of effective government communication with its citizens by referring to the Address Hotel fire that took place on New Year’s night over a year ago.
“This was seen in the Address Hotel fire incident in 2016, where His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, ordered rapid and swift action to contain the crisis and ensured transparency by keeping citizens updated with the situation,” she said.
Josh Earnest, former White House Press Secretary, also emphasised the importance of governments building confidence and engaging their citizens in their policies. “The work that communication professionals do to connect, communicate and engage the citizens of a country is as critical to effectively leading your country as anything else that happens to your government,” he said.
He referred to governments competing to be the destination of foreign direct investment, and pointed out that business round the world are not just looking for a favourable business climate, but are seeking out markets where they can make the most of the opportunities available.
“As Dubai peruses plan 2021 to increase foreign direct investment … effective, clear communication from the government will send a message to business leaders that Dubai is the best city in the world to do business,” said Earnest. He added that this is achievable through the principles of transparency, effective communication, and engagement. “Governments in the US and in the UAE are committed to appealing to people based on their hopes, not their fears; their aspirations, not their anxieties. These are characteristics of governments who are eager to seize opportunities even in an uncertain future to make our citizens more safe and prosperous — these are ideas and values that are shared by the US and the UAE,” concluded Earnest.
