Global experts to address public diplomacy forum in Dubai

Mona Al Marri, director-general of Dubai Government Media Office

The Dubai Government Media Office on Monday announced the agenda for the Public Diplomacy and Government Communication Forum (PDGCF) that will be held next Sunday in Dubai.
Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the PDGCF is a new initiative that aims to support government organisations in optimising their communication strategies through a discussion of global best practices and success stories from around the world.
In a plenary session titled 'Communicating the Leadership's Vision: The UAE Experience', Lt General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, will speak on the UAE's experience in effectively communicating the leadership's vision and strategy to various audiences.
This session will look at the communication initiatives that have formed part of the UAE success story.
In a second plenary session titled 'Public Diplomacy and International Affairs', Abdul Latif Al Zayani, secretary-general of the GCC, will share his perspectives on how strategic public diplomacy and communication can support governments in navigating today's political and economic realities. The session will also feature addresses by the White House former press secretary Josh Earnest and Mona Al Marri, the director-general of the Dubai Media Office.
In a third session, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dr Anwar Gargash and Tom Fletcher, Britain's former ambassador to Lebanon and advisor at the Emirates Diplomatic Academy (EDA) will examine how advances in digital technology are changing the way foreign policy and diplomatic issues are being dealt with.
"The topics that the forum will address have been carefully chosen to ensure the event will discuss the most pressing strategic issues that we encounter today in the practice of public diplomacy and government communication," Mona Al Marri said.
Other speakers include Alastair Campbell, former Downing Street press secretary, global counter-terrorism expert Dr. Howard Clark;  Saeed Al Eter, director-general of the Public Diplomacy Office, Sara Amiri, chairperson of UAE Council of Scientists; Omran Sharaf, director of the programs management department at the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre; and Major-General Jamal Al-Sayegh, assistant undersecretary for operations of Kuwait.
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