UAE, Australia ties continue to strengthen in pursuit of common goals “The UAE and Australia share the same vision about peace, security and stability in the region and the world.” UAE Ambassador,Dr. Obaid Al Heri Salim Al Ketbi 26/11/2015 (Translation of this article appears in Arabic section) Canberra - M. E. TIMES: The UAE Embassy Canberra, celebrates the UAE National Day of the 44, to the United Arab Emirates, Amid official attendance and a large crowd of well-wishers, led by the Governor-General of Australia Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC and his wife, as well as political, diplomatic, military, economic, cultural, social, religious and media figures. 
UAE Ambassador receives the guests The celebration was held at the "Hyatt" hotel in Canberra and the chief host was the UAE Ambassador to Australia, Dr. Obaid Al Heri Salim Al Ketbi. The ceremony was also attended by Chief of Protocol of the Australian Foreign Affairs Department Lyndall Sachs, Hon. Philip Ruddock MP, MP Clive Palmer, MP Rick Wilson, Senator Chris Ketter, a number of Arab and foreign ambassadors and members of the Arab community, as well as a group of Emirati students. During the celebration, which was characterized by organization, arrangement program and hospitality. A group of Emarati children wearing heritage clothes were performed dance and songs while carrying UAE flags. Also, a screaning documentary film sheds light on the process of construction development, progress and prosperity witnessed by the UAE as outlined by its founder the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan. 
Sir Peter Cosgrove delivers his speech An exhibition of books, brochures and pictures about the United Arab Emirates was held on the sidelines of ceremony, which also provided luxury cuisine, dates, sweets and Arabic coffee. Ambassador Al Ketbi After the national anthems of Australia and the UAE toasts, the Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to Australia, Dr. Salem Obaid Al Ketbi, delivers a in English, this is some of what he said: " In 1971, our Founding Fathers, under the visionary leadership of the late President, His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nayhan, took a historic step and founded the United Arab Emirates. 
Emarati Students during the ceremony Their strategic vision was to create a solid, secure and prosperous country in which all residents, citizens and non-citizens, co-exist in peace and harmony. This vision continues to direct the course of the UAE under the wise leadership of the President, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nayhan. The UAE has made a very significant socio-economic transformation over the years. From a GDP of $US7.5 million in 1971, the economy achieved a GDP of over US$419 billion in 2014 with a per capita income of over $US60,000. 
Ambassador Al-Ketbi with MP Philip Ruddock and other guest In terms of the UAE-Australia relationship, our two countries share strong bilateral relations. This must be strengthened and deepened for future mutual benefits. This relationship is particularly strong in trade. The UAE is Australia’s largest trading partner in the Middle East and the 15th largest overall, with merchandise trade reaching 5.94 billion US$ in 2014. The UAE holds a significant investment portfolio in Australia, mainly, in agribusiness, hotels, and infrastructure which is estimated at 17 billion US$ compared with Australia’s 2.4 billion US$ in UAE. 
Kuwaiti Ambassador Najib AbdulRahman Al-Bader (C) with G.G. Sir Peter Cosgrove and the UAE ambassador Al-Ketbi The UAE and Australia share the same vision about peace, security and stability in the region and the world. Our two countries have active defence co-operation and security programs. The UAE stands firmly for a more secure and peaceful world and has co-operated with other countries in various ways to counter terrorism and ensure a safe and stable world. The UAE was declared the world’s top humanitarian donor in 2013, with US$5.89 billion in foreign aid distributed to more than 140 countries through 38 donor groups. In January 2015, the UAE pledged an extra US$100 million in aid for Syrian refuges and is supporting and financing Syrian refugee camps in Jordan. 
H.E. the Governor General (C) with the Saudi ambassador Nabil Al-Saleh and the UAE ambassador Dr. Obaid Al-Ketbi With respect to the development of women, the UAE recognizes the fundamental human right of the Emirati woman to equal opportunity in every aspect of civic, economic and political life. Speech by H.E. Peter Cosgrove, The Governor-General of Australia I am with you to help celebrate the 44th UAE National Day and this is a day for celebrating. In August I had the pleasure of meeting His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in recognition of the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Australia and the UAE. 
Chief of Protocol Lyndall Sachs (C) with Ambassadors of Kuwait, Libya, Iraq, Algeria and Oman We take it as a point of some pride that we understood that here was a nation standing on its feet and needing recognition and friends around the globe. That friendship, which started 40 years ago, continues ever stronger today. Over the last decade, in particular, we have increasingly come to share strategic views on world and regional affairs; our commercial activities are intertwined. 
UAE Ambassador receices the ambassador of Jordan Rima Alaedine I think all that comes from the fact that we have developed a level of respect for each other which bolsters the relationship even now. We share a commitment to a world free and open; we are prepared to work together and stand up for the things we believe in. This is what makes us close. Our is a vibrant relationship; it is not standing still. It has the ability to reach maturity. There is so much more to be done. 
Nabil Lakhal the ambassador of Tunisia with other guests |
