UAE – Netherlands Week – Office of Public and Cultural Diplomacy

‘UAE – Netherlands Week’ to Strengthen Bilateral Exchange in Celebration of 50 Years of Partnership.

The United Arab Emirates and The Kingdom of the Netherlands are slated to jointly host the inaugural ‘UAE – Netherlands Week‘ from May 30 until June 5, 2021, in an effort to promote cultural and knowledge exchange between the two countries.

The week comes against the backdrop of the two countries’ celebration of nearly fifty years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, as well as the UAE’s fiftieth anniversary since its founding as a nation.

**Opening Session**: Live online discussion between HE Omar Saif Ghobash, Assistant Minister for Cultural Affairs, and HE Amed Aboutaleb, Mayor of Rotterdam will be moderated by HE Bernadino Leon, Director General of Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy on
**Sunday, May 30th, at 3pm UAE (1pm CET)**

Representatives of Emirati and Dutch governmental entities, cultural institutions, and youth organizations will take part in the forum. Participants include HE Omar Saif Ghobash, Assistant Minister for Public and Cultural Diplomacy at the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation; HE Hissa Abdulla Alotaiba, UAE Ambassador to the Kingdom of the Netherlands; HE Lody Embrechts, Dutch Ambassador to the UAE; HE Ahmed Aboutaleb, Mayor of Rotterdam; and HE Hans Sandee, Dutch Consul General in Dubai and Netherlands Commissioner General for Expo2020 Dubai, among others.

Sessions will address diverse topics, including ways to strengthen cooperation in the arts and cultural sectors, promote food security and energy efficiency, empower women in STEM fields, and foster entrepreneurship and scientific innovation.

The week will also include a Youth Talk series held in cooperation with the Abu Dhabi Youth Hub. Topics include starting a business in the UAE and the Netherlands, female empowerment, being an artist in both countries, youth hubs in the two countries, bilateral educational exchange, and a talk titled “My Next 50 Years.”

Attendees will also discuss Dutch participation in Expo 2020 Dubai, where the Netherlands will host a microclimate pavilion focused on the nexus between water, food, and energy security.

The ‘UAE – Netherlands Week’ is presented with the support of the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates to the Kingdom of The Netherlands and the Abu Dhabi Youth Hub.

All talks will be streamed on the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation’s social media channels: