Malaysia and UAE Shares Best Government Practices Handling COVID-19 In Rabdan Academy Webinar

The Institute of Diplomacy and Foreign Relations (IDFR), under the Malaysian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in cooperation with Rabdan Academy, a leading educational institution specializing security, defense, and emergency preparedness, in United Arab Emirates (UAE) organized a virtual conference of knowledge sharing in the best practices of the experience of both countries in curbing the spread of COVID-19.

The conference covered three major themes; policing system, healthcare and international relations followed by a Q and A session.

The conference also highlights the bilateral cooperation and diplomatic relation between Malaysia and UAE. Keynote speakers include DCP Dato’ Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf, Secretary of Royal Malaysia Police, Colonel Abdulrahman Ali Al Mansouri, Director General of Ministry Affairs at the Ministry of Interior, Dr. Wan Noraini binti Wan Mohamed Noor, Head of Surveillance Sector, Disease Control Division, Ministry of Health, Malaysia, Dr. Farida Al Hosani is the Official spokesperson for the health care sector in the UAE, Manager of communicable Diseases Department, Abu Dhabi Center of Public Health, Datuk Wan Zaidi Wan Abdullah, Chief of Protocol cum Head of COVID-19 Task Force, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mohamed Al-Qurtasi, Director of Operations Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Opening the session, Dato Kamaruddin said in his speech, “This initiative is an impetus for meaningful future relations and deeper cooperation between the two countries. The takeaway from the session would be crucial to both sides in preparation of any or similar circumstances, moving forward. We hope this will pave the way for more similar collaborations between Malaysia and the UAE.” His Excellency Sultan Mohammed Al Shamsi, Assistant Minister for International Development Affairs at (MOFA) said in his opening remark, “The UAE was one of the first countries to reach out and extend a hand of assistance to more than 100 countries.

Early on in the crisis, the UAE launched numerous humanitarian initiatives to help curb the spread of the virus. In a short period, the UAE has provided more than 1,279 tonnes of medical aid through 149 medical flights carrying testing kits, masks, and personnel protective equipment to 107 countries to date, with direct beneficiaries exceeding 1.28 million healthcare workers worldwide.”

His Excellency mentions that the UAE has a strong historical relationship with Malaysia and he stresses the need to move forward together and to share expertise and knowledge on best practices facing not just this pandemic but also future crises. The existing collaboration is important and strengthens the international relations between both countries to face this challenge.

Another important factor is the strategic locations of both countries and the strong infrastructure helped in managing to not stop the supply chain, food and medical equipment.

Speaking on the close relation between the two countries, Khalid Ghanem Al Ghaith, UAE Ambassador to Malaysia, said, “Malaysia and UAE share a high level of cooperation through knowledge sharing on combating COVID-19 in each country.

For example, in terms of aid, UAE has donated medical assistance to Malaysia in the form of 20,000 test kits and masks whereas Malaysia in turn donated food supplies to the UAE.

Our cooperation emphasised the need for global cooperation and the need to exchange learnings in combating COVID-19.”