Today's Edition
ABU DHABI (WAM)
Noura Al Kaabi, Minister of State, led the UAE delegation to the seventh edition of the Paris Peace Forum, which was entitled Wanted: A Functioning Global Order. The event focused on building foundations for peace and addressing the most pressing global risks and challenges.
Al Kaabi delivered the keynote address to an expert panel entitled Cohesion in a Fractured World: Interfaith Innovation Amid a Multicrisis, which underlined how faith-based institutions, through innovation and ingenuity, are addressing today’s multifaceted challenges.
“We must come together urgently and renew our commitment to tolerance, peaceful coexistence, and human fraternity,” said Al Kaabi. “These are values that have been upheld across societies over time and support sustainable development and foster peaceful collaboration.”
She added: “The spirit of co-existence and tolerance is part of the UAE’s DNA. The country’s founder, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, set the roadmap for the nation, founding the country on principles of tolerance, collaboration, and progress, and we continue to follow his vision today under the leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. We are home to more than 200 nationalities – a hub for diverse cultures – who live in security, safety and prosperity. The country has a long history of coexistence and openness and our unwavering commitment is to support peaceful coexistence and mutual understanding, and strengthen bridges of communication and dialogue.”
As part of the panel, Abdulla Al Shehhi, Acting Executive Director of the Abrahamic Family House, discussed the institution’s efforts to foster dialogue and build trust and cooperation in the struggle against polarization, environmental challenges, societal division, and technological disruption.
“Unlike traditional forums, the Abrahamic Family House transforms dialogue into action by creating opportunities for collaboration that directly address the tensions and challenges of a fractured world,” Al Shehhi said. “Our programmes involve the communities associated with our mosque, church, and synagogue, who come together to listen, learn, and share their experiences. These initiatives instil empathy, harmony, and collaboration, nurturing the next generation of peacemakers.”
For his part, Al Shehhi discussed how the Abrahamic Family House builds on the legacy of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan by acting as a modern, dynamic space for dialogue that simultaneously honours the UAE’s historical and cultural context. “The Abrahamic Family House also demonstrates the UAE’s leadership as a Muslim-majority nation that actively rejects the ‘clash of civilisations’ theory,” he said. “Instead, it offers a narrative of collaboration and mutual respect, showcasing values that are often underrepresented on the global stage.”
During her visit, Al Kaabi held a meeting with Rachida Dati, Minister of Culture of France, to discuss shared cultural initiatives and mutual interests in promoting dialogue and cross-cultural understanding.
She also held a meeting with Ambassador Celso Amorim, Chief Advisor to the President of Brazil, to explore topics of mutual interest and foster stronger collaborations with Forum stakeholders.
