The Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy (AGDA) recently hosted Sheikha Alyazia bint Nahyan Al Nahyan, the inaugural Extraordinary Ambassador of Arab Culture for the Arab League Educational, Cultural, and Scientific Organization (ALECSO), at an enlightening dialogue session titled, “Highlights on the Cultural Embassy Experience… Your Guide to the Cultural Adventure.” This session aimed to inspire students and attendees by sharing Sheikha Alyazia’s remarkable career and her contributions to promoting Arab culture. It also emphasized the role of diplomacy in elevating the UAE’s cultural presence on the global stage while discussing various aspects of Arab heritage.
Notable attendees included H.E. Mariam Zayed Almazrouei, Delegate Minister in the Office of Minister of State for International Cooperation; H.E. Nickolay Mladenov, Director General of AGDA; D. Mohammed Ibrahim Al Dhaheri, Deputy Director General of the Academy; Ebtesam Alzaabi, Acting Secretary General of the UAE National Commission at the Ministry of Culture; Dr. Hana Saaed Alkaabi, Head of Public and Cultural Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA); Fatima Alnsour, Regional Organizations Expert at the Ministry of Culture; Shatha Abdulrahman Alghardaqa, Cultural Affairs Specialist at MOFA; and Elham Salem Albreiki, Cultural Affairs Specialist at MOFA.
The session commenced with a welcoming address by H.E. Nickolay Mladenov, who highlighted the essential role women play in shaping cultural diplomacy and fostering connections among diverse cultures.
He stated: “Women play a pivotal role in shaping a vibrant and inclusive global dialogue, and Sheikha Alyazia’s career stands as a powerful example of this influence. This session provided our students with a unique opportunity to learn from a remarkable leader whose impact spans across diverse fields. Our goal is to shine a light on the vital contributions women make in advancing cultural exchange.”
Mladenov further added, “Diplomacy has long been a bridge between cultures and communities, but today, it goes beyond formal negotiations. It encompasses the exchange of ideas and cultural values that foster deeper mutual understanding. Leaders like Sheikha Alyazia exemplify this spirit, contributing significantly to international cultural collaboration through their vision of openness and mutual respect.”
During the session, Sheikha Alyazia bint Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan discussed her role as the UAE’s Extraordinary Ambassador of Arab Culture to ALECSO and the challenges she has encountered. She emphasized the significance of cultural sectors for nations striving to preserve their heritage, acknowledging the numerous obstacles present in these fields, similar to those in other creative domains.
Sheikha Alyazia explained that interactions with culture can be either positive or negative, asserting that no one can remain indifferent or unaffected by culture. She stated, “We set out behind the vision of the wise leadership of the UAE, which supports the activation of joint cultural work with Arab countries, where we organised, in cooperation with ALECSO, the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Culture, and several partners, the longest Arab cultural programme, the ‘Arab Cultural Guide’, which lasted for nine months and included the participation of 16 Arab countries.”
Sheikha Alyazia also provided insights into the activities of the first ALECSO Cultural Embassy, underlining that culture serves as a reflection of a people’s identity and history. The session concluded with a Q&A segment, allowing attendees to engage with Sheikha Alyazia, who expressed her gratitude to the Academy’s management, attendees, and students.