The Sharjah Press Club (SPC) of the Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB) has signed a cooperation agreement with Thomson Reuters Foundation, aimed at enhancing partnership and cooperation between the two entities in achieving common media goals.

The agreement was signed in London by Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Sharjah Media Council (SMC), and Nicolas Bellet, Director of Journalism and Media Programmes at the Thomson Reuters Foundation, in the presence of Tariq Saeed Allay, Director of the Sharjah Government Media Bureau, the media and communication arm of the Sharjah government.

Under the agreement, the two parties will cooperate in the development and implementation of joint training programmes and projects that will serve journalists and media professionals in the country, and exchange views and development ideas in the presentation of the media message.

The agreement will also include introduction of specialised training programmes and workshops by Thomson Reuters Foundation for members of the Sharjah Press Club, enhancing their theoretical and practical understanding of media and its various tools.

Speaking on the occasion, Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi stressed the importance of media organisations in Sharjah to open up to diverse global experiences by building bridges of cooperation with leading international media organisations. This is essential to achieve the development goals and objectives of the media sector in the Emirate and to reach new horizons of progress in the media message, emphasised the SMC Chairman.

Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi expressed confidence that the cooperation agreement between the SPC and Thomson Reuters Foundation would have a positive impact on the Club's efforts to serve the media fraternity in the country, enhancing their experience, knowledge and prospects of professional development.

He pointed out that the SPC has been working throughout the year as part of its strategic plan and the SGMB vision to come up with various initiatives and activities aimed at serving journalists and media professionals in general and the SPC members in particular.

For her part, Monique Villa, CEO of the Thomson Reuters Foundation, expressed her happiness at the signing of the agreement, saying: "We are delighted to embark on this partnership with the Sharjah Press Club and spread best journalism practices across the region. The Thomson Reuters Foundation has been working in the Gulf for many years, bringing with its training its principles of accuracy, impartiality and independence and integrity."