The UAE government’s transparency and direct communication goes back to the country’s founding fathers and has continued to gain its citizen’s confidence and trust, said Shaikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nayhan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, at the concluding session of the Public Diplomacy and Government Communication Forum.

“Communication determines winning or losing a battle. Our leadership does not conceal any truth,” he said during the session titled ‘Communicating the leadership’s vision … The UAE Experience.’

Shaikh Saif spoke of the late Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, describing him as “symbol of the nation,” who believed in the power of communication.

He narrated stories about Shaikh Zayed’s visits to different countries where he engaged in positive communication with leaders and even journalists. “Shaikh Zayed ensured the transfer of a group of British journalists to Egypt to cover the reality of the 1973 war in order to relay the truth of the situation to the western people,” said Shaikh Saif.

He further explained that after receiving criticism doubting the UAE’s union, Shaikh Zayed paid a visit to Iran to communicate his ideas on the country’s positive contributions to the Asian continent

Today, the UAE continues to operate on transparency with its people, said Shaikh Saif, referring to the 2016 New Year’s fire incident as an example. “Shaikh Mohammad ordered media channels to show the incident live on TV, and was transparent with local and international media by providing updates on the situation,” he added.

He explained that journalism today needs to be “clear, fast and transparent” in conveying messages and news.

Commenting on the UAE’s local achievements, Shaikh Saif highlighted that the UAE is ranked first in the region and second in the world when it comes to highest level of trust between government and its people.

“On an international level, the UAE contributed Dh18 billion in foreign aid in 2015,” said Shaikh Saif.

He also referred to Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai’s contributions to the region through three initiatives — the Arab children reading 50 million books initiative, the Noor Dubai initiative to help the visually impaired, and plans to attract top talent from around the world.

“I thank all our country’s citizens and I ask God to help us achieve President Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s ambitious vision for the UAE,” said Shaikh said

source : gulfnews