UAE Hosts Roundtable on Olympics and Public Diplomacy in Paris
The UAE Olympic House in Paris, in collaboration with the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, hosted a high-level roundtable titled ‘Beyond the Games: Olympics and Public Diplomacy in Shaping National Identity.’ The event was led by Noura Al Kaabi, Minister of State at the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Key Discussions
The roundtable brought together a distinguished panel of speakers to discuss the power of sports in building cohesive communities and creating enduring legacies. Sheikh Rashed bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Vice President of the National Olympic Committee, highlighted the UAE’s largest-ever participation at an Olympic Games and the country’s commitment to Emirati sporting values.
Gabriele Ramos, Assistant Director-General for Social and Human Sciences of UNESCO, praised the UAE’s efforts under Centennial 2071 to build an inclusive society through sports. The discussions emphasized how sports diplomacy can inspire generations, strengthen national social cohesion, and foster international connections.
Panel Speakers
| Speaker | Role |
|---|---|
| Noura Al Kaabi | Minister of State |
| Ghanim Mubarak Al Hajeri | Director-General of the UAE General Authority of Sports |
| Gonul Serbest | Commissioner for Victoria (Australia) to Europe, the Middle East, Turkiye, and Africa |
| Samuel Ducroquet | Ambassador for Sport, French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs |
Key Points
Noura Al Kaabi highlighted the role of sports diplomacy in promoting mutual understanding and strengthening cultural connections. She emphasized the importance of the three core values of Olympism: excellence, respect, and friendship.
Samuel Ducroquet discussed Paris 2024’s ambition to organize the event with a focus on solidarity and inclusion. Ghanim Mubarak Al Hajeri emphasized the UAE’s sports strategy, which prioritizes youth engagement and societal benefits. Gonul Serbest shared Melbourne’s approach to using sports for inclusion and unity.
The roundtable concluded with a call to action for nations to leverage sports to foster international relations, inspire future generations, and create enduring legacies. The UAE remains committed to promoting these ideals through continuous global engagement and collaboration.
Doubts Revealed
UAE -: UAE stands for the United Arab Emirates, a country in the Middle East made up of seven smaller regions called emirates.
Roundtable -: A roundtable is a meeting where people discuss a specific topic. It’s called a roundtable because everyone has an equal chance to speak, like sitting around a round table.
Olympics -: The Olympics are a big sports event held every four years where athletes from all over the world compete in various sports.
Public Diplomacy -: Public diplomacy is when a country tries to improve its image and relationships with other countries by talking to the public and sharing its culture and values.
Paris -: Paris is the capital city of France, a country in Europe. It’s known for its famous landmarks like the Eiffel Tower.
Noura Al Kaabi -: Noura Al Kaabi is a government official in the UAE. She is the Minister of State, which means she has an important role in the government.
Sheikh Rashed bin Humaid Al Nuaimi -: Sheikh Rashed bin Humaid Al Nuaimi is a member of the ruling family in one of the emirates in the UAE. He is involved in various leadership roles.
Gabriele Ramos -: Gabriele Ramos is one of the key speakers at the event. She is likely an expert or important figure related to the topic of the roundtable.
Samuel Ducroquet -: Samuel Ducroquet is another key speaker at the event. He is also likely an expert or important figure related to the topic of the roundtable.
Ghanim Mubarak Al Hajeri -: Ghanim Mubarak Al Hajeri is another key speaker at the event. He is likely an expert or important figure related to the topic of the roundtable.
Gonul Serbest -: Gonul Serbest is another key speaker at the event. She is likely an expert or important figure related to the topic of the roundtable.