UAE Joins Philippines In Celebrating 126 Years Of Independence, Highlights Strong Bilateral Ties
Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, attended the grand public celebration marking the 126th anniversary of Philippine Independence. The event, held at the Dubai World Trade Centre, attracted over 20,000 attendees. Alfonso Ferdinand, Ambassador of the Republic of the Philippines to the UAE, several Emirati officials, and a distinguished gathering of diplomatic, economic, and social figures from the Filipino community were also present.
The celebration was organised by the "UAE Loves the Philippines" page in collaboration with Dubai Police. Sheikh Nahyan praised the solid relations between the UAE and the Philippines and highlighted their strategic cooperation in various fields. He emphasised both countries' eagerness to explore new avenues of collaboration and elevate their relations to higher levels, aiming for a strategic economic partnership.
Sheikh Nahyan noted that the UAE has established itself as a unique global model for embracing and celebrating cultural diversity. He added that the celebration reflects the UAE's genuine approach to honouring different cultures and building bridges that bring countries and peoples closer together. This approach fosters stability, prosperity, and development efforts worldwide.
Event Highlights
The celebration highlighted Filipino culture and contributions to the UAE's sustainable development journey. It included various cultural and artistic activities such as musical performances and folkloric dances representing various aspects of Filipino culture. Additionally, there were showcases of Filipino crafts and arts, entertainment segments for children, and cultural competitions.
Commitment to Tolerance
The large turnout at the celebration underscored the UAE's commitment to fostering cooperation with other countries and promoting tolerance among all nations by participating in their cultural and national festivities. It also exemplified the UAE's success in providing an environment of tolerance and openness, enabling everyone to live in peace, harmony, safety, and security.
Historical Ties
The UAE and the Republic of the Philippines share strong relations even before formal diplomatic relations were established on 19 August 1974. The Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi opened on 17 June 1980, followed by the UAE Embassy in Manila in 1989. The UAE is home to hundreds of thousands of Filipinos who consider it their second home, living and working in safety and security.
Contributions of the Filipino Community
The UAE places great importance on the contributions of the Filipino community to its developmental journey across various sectors. Sheikh Nahyan commended these significant efforts during his speech at the event. The celebration served as a testament to the strong bonds between the two nations and their shared commitment to mutual growth and cooperation.
With inputs from WAM
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