UAE FM inaugurates Sheikh Zayed Gallery at British Museum
(London) – H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, inaugurated the Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Gallery for Europe and the Middle East at the British Museum in London.
The gallery’s opening follows an agreement signed last June by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and the British Museum, in recognition of the late Founding Father’s support for culture in the UAE and the world.
The ceremony was attended by Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development and Zaki Nusseibeh, Minister of State, Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi, Saif Saeed Ghobash, Undersecretary of DCT Abu Dhabi, Sulaiman Hamid Al Mazroui, UAE Ambassador to the UK, Hartwig Fisher, Director of the British Museum, Patrick Moody, UK Ambassador to the UAE, and Sir Richard Lambert, Chairman of the British Museum.
Sheikh Abdullah was also given an explanation of some of the exhibited items in the hall. The Director of the British Museum Hartwig Fisher presented a memorial gift to the UAE top diplomat, a book entitled “Masterpieces of the British Museum” which reviews the history of the British Museum.
Sheikh Abdullah underlined the significance of naming the gallery after the late Sheikh Zayed, in a year marking the 100th anniversary of the birth of the late UAE founder, saying it reflects international recognition of the late leader’s efforts in establishing the UAE’s Federation, enhancing its position on the international scene through cultural diplomacy, and supporting the documentation of history and protection of cultural heritage, as well as the development of education and scientific research.
“Despite facing a number of challenges, the late Sheikh Zayed strived to strengthen the UAE’s ties with the world, by means of a diplomatic approach for dialogue and cultural exchange. This approach stands as an exemplary model in establishing international relations today, as it gave the UAE a meaningful platform for progress, including the establishment of agreements, international collaborations between Eastern and Western countries, openness to other world cultures, and achieving a balanced setting for different nationalities to coexist peacefully. These outcomes contributed profoundly to strengthening unity, stability and safety at home, and thus growth and prosperity,” Sheikh Abdullah noted.
