Arab Media Forum: Who will rest of the Arab world follow?

Mona Ghanem Al Marri, Chairperson AMF organizing committee and President of Dubai Press Club talking to media at the Arab Media Forum

The UAE will continue to push the country as an example for the rest of the region to follow, according to UAE ambassador to Russia Omar Saif Ghobash.
The envoy was speaking at the Arab Media Forum at a session titled "Spreading Peace and Humanitarian Principles" anchored by CNN anchor and correspondent Hala Gorani,
Ghobash added that the UAE - with its vibrant economy and gender balance - has all the elements of a typical modern Arab state, but has created something constructive from it.
The UAE, he said "is expecting to push more of an agenda of what the UAE is, as an example for the rest of the Arab world."
Regarding the effort to communicate the UAE's drive to enhance its people's happiness, he said that the country is currently engaging its own society about the concept of happiness. He stressed the importance of categorising the youth as 'potential' force, as the UAE has done.
Speaking on the concepts of happiness and tolerance, for which the UAE has created ministries, he ruled the fact that happiness is something the media usually does not associate with the Arab world.
Speaking further about the concept of tolerance, he said that it sets minimum standards.
He added that the UAE is a leader in coexistence between the various races and equality between men and women.
"Our state has made great strides in the happiness of its people and to achieve social harmony, prosperity and progress before establishing the Ministry of Happiness long years later," he said.
With reference to Russia, he said that the country has a major role to play in the Syrian crisis.He noted that Arab countries fully understand that Russia has interests in the region, especially with regard to the Syrian crisis.
"When the Russians confirmed that their main goal in Syria lies in strikes against radical Islam represented in Daesh, we hold them sincerity of their intentions, because there is a connection between Middle East radicalism and the Caucasus terrorism, and we understand that."
amira@khaleejtimes.com