UAE Leaders Honour Recipients of the UAE Order for Culture and Creativity at Annual Government Meeting 2024
Abu Dhabi, The Gulf Observer: In a grand ceremony attended by prominent UAE leaders, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court, honoured the distinguished recipients of the UAE Order for Culture and Creativity during the UAE Government’s Annual Meeting 2024 in Abu Dhabi.
The UAE Order for Culture and Creativity, the nation’s highest cultural honour, celebrates individuals whose contributions to culture and the arts have profoundly enriched the UAE’s cultural heritage and bolstered its influence regionally and globally. Organised by the Ministry of Culture, the award underscores the UAE’s commitment to fostering cultural and intellectual growth as part of its journey toward sustainable development.
In his address, Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed expressed the UAE’s deep appreciation for the achievements of artists, intellectuals, and cultural leaders, noting, “The UAE deeply values the contributions of intellectuals and inspiring individuals who foster the role of culture and creativity in development. The UAE Order for Culture and Creativity is a well-deserved honour, recognising those whose exceptional work merits the highest accolades from us and our nation.”
The event saw the presence of prominent dignitaries, including H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai; H.H. Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai; and H.H. Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, alongside other distinguished leaders and officials from across the Emirates.
The UAE Minister of Culture, Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi, highlighted that the Order strengthens the UAE’s global cultural position and inspires future generations to pursue creativity, stating, “The Ministry of Culture’s launch of the Order motivates intellectuals, creatives, and patrons of the arts to pursue excellence… These contributions amplify the UAE’s cultural message to the world.”
The design of the UAE Order for Culture and Creativity features elements inspired by Emirati heritage, symbolising the nation’s commitment to preserving its cultural identity while encouraging creative expression.
Recipients in the ‘Custodian’ category included Juma Al Majid, Chairman of the Juma Al Majid Center for Culture and Heritage; Zaki Nusseibeh, Cultural Adviser to the UAE President; and Dr. Aisha Bilkhair, Research Advisor at the National Archives. The ‘Pioneer’ category honoured artist Abdulqader Alrais, singer Mehad Hamad Al Muhairi, and actress Ruzaiqa Taresh Alotaiba, among others.
The UAE Government’s Annual Meetings 2024 also marked a key moment for leaders to discuss the nation’s development goals and strategies for the coming year, reflecting the UAE’s forward-looking vision for growth, innovation, and cultural enrichment.
