We cannot live in isolation says UAE foreign minister

Abu Dhabi: The National Identity Conference opened on Tuesday with Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Presidential Affairas, delivering a message for the UAE nationals to unite and be proud of their heritage.

The first session of the conference included a panel of four speakers addressing challenges to the national identity: Dr Anwar Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs; Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Minister; Mohammad Ahmad Al Bawardi, Secretary General of the Executive Council and Undersecretary to the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi; Major General Dahi Khalfan Tamim, Dubai Police chief; Shaikh Ahmad Al Kobaisi, Islamic preacher.

"We cannot live in isolation, nor would we want to," Shaikh Abdullah stressed in his opening remarks. "The world is a much smaller place today but we must stand out for our tolerance," he said.

The two day conference is the first of its kind in the UAE to tackle the threats and growing concerns to the national identity.

Taking place at the Emirates Palace, the conference is being hosted by the Ministry of Culture. More than 30 high level government and private speakers are in the capital to discuss strengthening the national identity.