You can find the original tribune written by H.E. Hend Al Otaiba on LinkedIn here : https://www.linkedin.com/posts/hend-al-otaiba-4229a94a_activity-6975541001075478529-Vm0D
While August already seems far away, bringing back echoes of holiday memories for some, and heralding early September resolutions for others, it was a very special month for me, as it marked the one-year anniversary of my appointment as the United Arab Emirates Ambassador to France.
Twelve months ago, I was indeed honoured to come represent the #UAE in this great country and crucial strategic partner.
As a first diplomatic posting in a nation of such importance, this great honor was also a challenge. A challenge I welcomed and tackled head on, immersing myself in the country and culture I came to live in.
How time flies! And what a year it has been
There is a lot to be proud of. From launching a new events series, the #Majlon, which has brought together more than five hundred French and Emirati stakeholders in the past year; to exploring across country, the industrious spirit of Lille, the unique identity of Marseille and the savoir-faire of Bordeaux; all culminating, this last July, in H.H. President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed’s state visit, the first of his presidency.
To all the people who have welcomed me here, to all the new colleagues, partners, and friends – a sincere thank you.
During a meeting with CCI International Hauts-de-France in Lille.
But, whilst this first LinkedIn article certainly aims at looking back, it is also about setting the priorities ahead.
The work achieved together over the past year has further solidified the friendship that unites our two countries, and helped lay the foundation on which to, perennially, continue strengthening the UAE-France relationship :
Our world faces many challenges.
I have spent some time this summer in the south of France. A peaceful haven, which sadly – this year once more – was ravaged by wildfires, just as the Gironde region. These climatic events, and the high temperatures witnessed all over the world, continue to highlight that we are all living a pivotal moment for our planet.
As we prepare for COP27 Egypt, and COP28 DUBAI in the UAE in 2023, we must work together and #ActNow to invent new models, tools, and partnerships that can provide new answers to the situation we face.
In this new dawn, our partnership will also aim to keep merging the old and the new, heritage and modernity, innovation and culture.
Signature of a strategic agreement on the energies of the future with the French and UAE presidents and ministers Agnès Pannier-Runacher, Bruno Le Maire and Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, during H.H. President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed visit in July 2022.
Be it in the #arts, #education, #research, #civilsociety or hard #business, our historical ties will continue to grow from strength to strength, boosted by our bilateral ambition.
Indeed, the various agreements signed by our respective leaderships during the July state visit give us the tools for a united response to the challenges we face, and for a more sustainable, and more prosperous future.
I thus look forward to working and engaging with all my counterparts to deliver effective solutions.
To all those whom I have had the good fortune to meet during a year rich in emotions and progress, I address my thanks.
And I wish with all my heart to continue for many years to come the work that we are all pursuing together, here in Paris, to strengthen the friendship between our two countries.
