Communication behind UAE’s union and success, says Saif

dubai — The UAE’s strong core and success goes back to effective communication strategies established by the country’s founders, said a UAE minister.

During the closing session of the Public Diplomacy and Government Communication Forum, Lt.-General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, said the government enjoys great trust from people due to its transparency and direct communication.

This trust comes ever since the country’s founders worked towards providing means of communication to achieve goals, an initiative passed on to the country’s leaders today and the secret behind the country’s success.

Sheikh Saif narrated the foreign criticism the UAE faced when the union was first announced, which prompted the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan to visit Iran and discuss how the country could be a positive contributor to Asia.

“And thankfully we are united today and will always be,” he said to an applauding audience, noting Sheikh Zayed’s continuous efforts to extend communications with other countries in the region and in Europe.

He recalled the government’s immediate announcements of the 25 Emirati martyrs who died during the Yemeni war and how the UAE hasn’t concealed any truth from its people.

“Communication determines wining or losing a battle. Our leadership doesn’t conceal any truth of the 25 martyrs that increased to 48,” said Sheikh Saif.

He also highlighted the role of media in transferring clear, fast and transparent messages and news about reality to adapt to the quick social media platforms that can act as other information providers. “There is no doubt that when UAE talks about communication in Mars, there is an opportunity there. When people ask whether it is possible, they can visit the place where our probe to Mars is being conducted.”

Besides the UAE’s foreign aid that reached to Dh18 billion in 2015, Sheikh Saif referred to the government’s three latest initiatives — Arab Reading Challenge, Noor Dubai and the integrated visa scheme to attract international talents — that enable the region to see reality and make decisions accordingly.

“The Arab Reading Challenge motivated our students to read 50 million books per year. Through it, we told the world that Arabs do read.” Noor Dubai, a blindness prevention programme launched to different countries, gives people strength to develop and improve, he said.

Sheikh Saif noted that seeing the UAE leadership on streets, restaurants and offices is a message in itself communicated clearly to employees, reminding them that there is no room for slacking and that working for the future is key.

The Arab Reading Challenge motivated our students to read 50 million books per year. ” Lt.-General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior