Dubai — With over five years of conflict in the region, the UAE aims to continue its efforts to build a brighter future — one that is based on its leaders’ vision.
“The UAE does not dwell on the past, but works for the present because our trust is in the future,” said Shaikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior of the UAE, during the concluding session of the Emirati Media Forum.
The session was attended by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai.
Addressing all media outlets in the UAE, Shaikh Saif called on them to continue working as a team, describing them as “honourable and responsible.”
“The UAE’s media is positive, honest, and patriotic. It does not know hatred and does not spread lies and conspiracies, but promotes harmonisation,” he said.
He pointed out that with social media channels and emerging technologies, it is easy for people to be misinformed, emphasising the media’s role in delivering reliable content based on truth and not particular agendas.
He further said that Gulf countries have faced their challenges throughout history, and have overcome them by depending on several factors, one of which is their culture and environment.
“Our Gulf today is going through a crisis and we believe that our Gulf is one. In this region, we have customs, traditions and heritage that we cherish,” he said.
Referring to the importance of collaboration between countries in the region, Shaikh Saif described life as one “with rivers and swamps, good and evil,” alluding to the “Iranian regime” and countries that follow it as a “snake hiding on an olive tree.”
“We say to the reluctant that the choice is clear, either follow the river, or die in the swamp,” he said.
Commenting on past conflicts, Shaikh Saif referred to studies, which reported that the Arab World had lost around a trillion dollars during what he described as a “polluted era” also known as the Arab Spring revolutions.
“If this money was spent on education in the region and on youth, we would have over four million graduates from the best universities in the world including Harvard and Oxford,” he said.
Focusing on the empowerment of youth, Shaikh Saif also referred to Shaikh Mohammad’s initiatives such as the Arab Reading Challenge, as steps that help in educating youth and preparing them for the future.
The Arab Reading Challenge aims to promote the culture of reading by encouraging students in the Arab World to read more than 50 books a year, with 7.4 million contestants participating this year.
The fourth edition of the Emirati Media Forum took place at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) under the patronage of Shaikh Mohammad.
This year, the forum focused on the national role of the UAE media at a time when the region is beset with political turmoil. It also looked at how the media can support the influential role and position of the UAE on major regional and international issues, and play a greater part in supporting national development across sectors.
