The UAE has launched the Soft Power Council, which will define a comprehensive strategy to reinforce the country’s position and consolidate its values of respect and appreciation with governments and citizens worldwide, a report said.

Launched by Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Soft Power Council will report directly to the UAE Cabinet, and will introduce an integrated national strategy that consolidates the roles of both the public and private sectors in achieving soft power and conveying the nation’s history in a new way, reported WAM, the Emirates official news agency.

 It will also develop a soft power strategy for the state, including the science, culture, technology, humanitarian and economic sectors, in order to establish relationships at the grassroots level with partners both in the Arab region and globally.

The Council will review all legislation and policies that affect the UAE’s status and reputation, and will develop a strategy to reinforce the country’s reputation between the grassroots in all the strategic countries, for the UAE Cabinet to review in the coming months.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid stressed that the UAE has military and economic power and will now develop its soft power in order to solidify its reputation, and serve the interests of its people in the long term, establishing relationships across various sectors including the economic, tourism and investment sectors.

"His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, has succeeded in establishing a strong and unprecedented position for the UAE on a regional and global scale. We must build strong diplomatic relationships and systems in order to pursue his vision of making the UAE a global example of prestige and excellence," he added.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid continued, "The UAE holds a special place in the hearts of millions of people around the world; we want to build on that and elevate it. We have the economic, cultural components to achieve this swiftly."

"We have been celebrating milestones such as national days and co-operating on development initiatives with our brothers and sisters in the Gulf and Arab World; now we want to develop a different strategy to introduce our culture and values to all people across the world. We want to utilise new tools and methods in order to reach more people, and share our knowledge, culture and history with the world. The UAE Soft Power Council is a stepping stone to achieving this vision, and promoting our country through successful public diplomacy to many people from various backgrounds," he said.

Mohammed Abdullah Al-Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and The Future, was named the Chairman of the UAE Soft Power Council.

The Council will develop a general soft power strategy for the UAE to reinforce its reputation and status regionally and globally, instigate cooperation between public and private sector entities within the country through soft power initiatives and projects, and submit reports periodically to the UAE Cabinet on the all progress and implementation of the strategy.

The UAE Soft Power Council will be an authoritative body, providing counsel and reference on soft power initiatives, and protecting and highlighting the country’s achievements and the UAE’s ambition and accomplishments contribute to science, culture, arts, tourism, trade, humanitarianism and other sectors both in the region and across the world. The Council will develop new tools to tell story, share uniqueness of the vision of the leadership for the UAE to be the best country in the world.

The Public Diplomacy Office at the Ministry of Cabinet Affairs and the Future will prepare the soft power strategy, in coordination with the concerned authorities to provide technical and administrative support to the UAE Soft Power Council.