After three memorable years, a period during which I had the privilege and honour to serve as the ambassador of France to the UAE, the time has come for me to say goodbye.
My years here have been so intense that it is hard to summarise them in a few lines.
My most vivid memory remains the inauguration of Louvre Abu Dhabi in November 2017, in the presence of Emmanuel Macron, the French President, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, the Vice-President and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.
This architectural masterpiece is, from my point of view, much more than a museum. It is a symbol of the dialogue that exists between cultures and civilisations that the region so deeply needs. Having often had the chance to walk under the museum’s dome, I must concede that I have always been moved and impressed by the bold universal message it conveys to the world. I am also proud of the French contribution to this unique masterpiece.
The past few years have witnessed tremendous achievements in the bilateral relationship between France and the UAE, in areas ranging from the economy to culture, through security, education and the promotion of French and Arabic languages. This is the outcome of the determination of our two nations to strengthen their partnership. The list of accomplishments is long but I would like to commend some of them. Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi is a world-class institution that has emerged as a cultural and scientific hub in the Gulf region.
Our partnership also finds its physical manifestation in France, following the reopening in 2019 of an architectural jewel: the Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Imperial Theatre in the Palace of Fontainebleau. We celebrated the 10th anniversary of our defence agreements. We also secured key partnerships in various sectors, including oil and gas, nuclear and renewable energy, transportation, space and artificial intelligence.
Today, I can surely say that, thanks to an ambitious vision shared between the two countries, this relationship is exceptional and nothing short of a benchmark for global co-operation. And yet, we are not content sitting on our laurels.
Last June, our two countries endorsed a roadmap for the new decade of strategic partnership and I am proud of the role we at the embassy played to make it happen. France and the UAE are committed towards building a promising future that is based on development, cultural exchanges, knowledge creation and innovation, while paying attention to the issue of climate change.
At a time when the coronavirus pandemic has exposed vulnerabilities in our interconnected systems, France and the UAE have demonstrated a shared will to tackle these challenges by exploring new opportunities of co-operation in the field of health.
Our two countries are focused on developing partnerships in healthcare, research and pharmaceutical sectors. Even as we face an uncertain future, we must understand that collaboration and innovation are needed now more than ever.
Thanks to an ambitious vision shared between the two countries, this relationship is exceptional and nothing short of a benchmark for global co-operation
And I am absolutely convinced that the Dubai Expo, now scheduled to begin in October 2021, will be the central and inspirational platform for the global response to these very challenging times.
Rest assured that France, alongside the UAE, will remain committed to finding solutions to global issues such as environment, poverty, women’s empowerment, regional security and the fight against terrorism and extremism.
Today, as it is time for me to say goodbye to this country, which I will deeply miss, allow me to conclude by saying how much I have been impressed by the dynamism of the UAE’s leadership and its exceptional people. Thank you for always extending a warm welcome to me.
I want to conclude by congratulating the country’s leaders for the visionary choices they have made over the years, counting on their youth and creativity to build the future of their nation. It is a vision that France shares, too. Together I hope the two countries will continue building this most promising partnership. I truly believe that, for us now, space is the limit.
Ludovic Pouille is France’s outgoing ambassador to the UAE
In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
Emirates Red Crescent
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Noor Dubai Foundation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
World Sevens Series standing after Dubai
1. South Africa
2. New Zealand
3. England
4. Fiji
5. Australia
6. Samoa
7. Kenya
8. Scotland
9. France
10. Spain
11. Argentina
12. Canada
13. Wales
14. Uganda
15. United States
16. Russia
THE BIO
Favourite author - Paulo Coelho
Favourite holiday destination - Cuba
New York Times or Jordan Times? NYT is a school and JT was my practice field
Role model - My Grandfather
Dream interviewee - Che Guevara
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
