1 00:00:02,960 --> 00:00:04,960 Speaker 1: People who want to see great art often go to 2 00:00:05,000 --> 00:00:07,480 Speaker 1: the Louver in Paris, but now there's another Louver. It's 3 00:00:07,480 --> 00:00:09,720 Speaker 1: an Abu Dhabi and it's about to be a Guggenheim 4 00:00:09,720 --> 00:00:12,840 Speaker 1: in Abu Dhabi as well. Who's behind building these museums 5 00:00:12,840 --> 00:00:16,400 Speaker 1: and other cultural attractions in Abu Dhabi. It's Mohammed al Mubark. 6 00:00:16,760 --> 00:00:19,520 Speaker 1: He's the chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism 7 00:00:19,560 --> 00:00:21,840 Speaker 1: in Abu Dhabi, and I sat down with him recently 8 00:00:21,840 --> 00:00:24,400 Speaker 1: in his office to talk about why Abu Dhabi wants 9 00:00:24,400 --> 00:00:28,040 Speaker 1: to be a major cultural center and tourist attraction For 10 00:00:28,120 --> 00:00:30,880 Speaker 1: those people who aren't familiar with Abu Dhabi. Where is 11 00:00:30,960 --> 00:00:31,600 Speaker 1: Abu Dhabi. 12 00:00:31,800 --> 00:00:35,000 Speaker 2: So, Abu Dhabi is the capital city of the United Emirates. 13 00:00:35,520 --> 00:00:40,120 Speaker 2: It sits in the Arabian Peninsula. We are a connecting 14 00:00:40,159 --> 00:00:43,600 Speaker 2: point between east and West from present day and throughout 15 00:00:43,600 --> 00:00:44,199 Speaker 2: our history. 16 00:00:44,440 --> 00:00:49,839 Speaker 1: The other major city that people know in UAE is Dubai, Yes, sir, 17 00:00:50,280 --> 00:00:53,040 Speaker 1: and so Dubai and Abu Dhabi have attracted a lot 18 00:00:53,080 --> 00:00:55,760 Speaker 1: of attention in recent years because they have a fair 19 00:00:55,760 --> 00:00:58,560 Speaker 1: amount of wealth and a lot of tourism attractions. So 20 00:00:58,680 --> 00:01:01,000 Speaker 1: let's just talk about at the beginning what your main 21 00:01:01,080 --> 00:01:03,920 Speaker 1: mission is as the Minister of Culture and Tourism. What 22 00:01:03,960 --> 00:01:05,520 Speaker 1: are you supposed to be doing in that role? 23 00:01:05,720 --> 00:01:09,600 Speaker 2: And I think what makes this job very interesting is 24 00:01:09,920 --> 00:01:14,160 Speaker 2: the passion it instills in myself and all of my colleagues. 25 00:01:14,840 --> 00:01:17,240 Speaker 2: We have something quite special here in Abbi and then 26 00:01:17,360 --> 00:01:20,720 Speaker 2: of that Emirates. What's special is that the continuous pursuit 27 00:01:20,800 --> 00:01:23,440 Speaker 2: of the enhancement of quality of life. And that's not 28 00:01:23,600 --> 00:01:26,800 Speaker 2: just for tourists, for the residents, it's for the amorates 29 00:01:26,840 --> 00:01:29,560 Speaker 2: living here. We continuously work hand in hand with all 30 00:01:29,560 --> 00:01:32,480 Speaker 2: our colleagues and our partners to create experiences to cater 31 00:01:32,560 --> 00:01:35,360 Speaker 2: to their needs. So as you can see in Ablebi 32 00:01:35,440 --> 00:01:38,560 Speaker 2: and in the UEE, almost every single year there's addition 33 00:01:38,680 --> 00:01:43,960 Speaker 2: of experiences. There's addition of institutions, editions of new concepts 34 00:01:43,959 --> 00:01:48,920 Speaker 2: that come in and create these fantastic curated experiences for 35 00:01:49,000 --> 00:01:50,920 Speaker 2: people to really chair, USh and enjoy. 36 00:01:51,320 --> 00:01:53,400 Speaker 1: What is the population of Abu Dhabi, So the. 37 00:01:53,320 --> 00:01:56,160 Speaker 2: Population of the ue slightly over eleven million people. 38 00:01:56,680 --> 00:01:58,520 Speaker 1: And Abu Dhabi is a fraction of that. 39 00:01:59,000 --> 00:02:01,640 Speaker 2: Yes, it's the largest land bank, as I said, the 40 00:02:01,680 --> 00:02:04,640 Speaker 2: capital city. You know, we're a little over three and 41 00:02:04,680 --> 00:02:05,520 Speaker 2: a half million people. 42 00:02:05,720 --> 00:02:08,919 Speaker 1: Your position is to make sure that people come here 43 00:02:08,960 --> 00:02:11,720 Speaker 1: and understand what the attractions are of Abu Dhabi. But 44 00:02:11,919 --> 00:02:14,280 Speaker 1: you're building a lot of things. So how long have 45 00:02:14,320 --> 00:02:15,200 Speaker 1: you been in this position? 46 00:02:15,520 --> 00:02:20,440 Speaker 2: So I've been at Aldaar for twenty years and at 47 00:02:20,440 --> 00:02:22,800 Speaker 2: the Department of Culture and Tourism close to ten years. 48 00:02:22,880 --> 00:02:25,880 Speaker 2: And you know, I'm very humbled and lucky to be 49 00:02:26,240 --> 00:02:32,480 Speaker 2: working for a government that has visionary ideas. Their vision 50 00:02:32,680 --> 00:02:35,840 Speaker 2: of investing in culture and culture institutions have not just 51 00:02:35,880 --> 00:02:38,560 Speaker 2: been set forth in recent modern times, but from the 52 00:02:38,560 --> 00:02:42,200 Speaker 2: inception of this country the idea of basically enhancing it 53 00:02:42,280 --> 00:02:47,440 Speaker 2: with entertainment projects, projects that are theme parks, projects that 54 00:02:47,480 --> 00:02:51,520 Speaker 2: are public parks, beaches, etc. Has always continuously evolved through 55 00:02:51,520 --> 00:02:52,480 Speaker 2: the development of the UE. 56 00:02:52,520 --> 00:02:55,160 Speaker 1: And for those who are not familiar with Abu Dhabi, 57 00:02:55,200 --> 00:02:57,360 Speaker 1: when did it become as part of the UAA and 58 00:02:57,440 --> 00:02:58,400 Speaker 1: independent country? 59 00:02:58,680 --> 00:03:01,960 Speaker 2: So as a country, it's nineteen seventy one, but its 60 00:03:02,040 --> 00:03:04,359 Speaker 2: history and the history of its people have dated back 61 00:03:04,360 --> 00:03:05,720 Speaker 2: for thousands of years. 62 00:03:06,360 --> 00:03:09,200 Speaker 1: And the founder of the country was shak Zayed. 63 00:03:09,040 --> 00:03:10,920 Speaker 2: Yes the late founder of the country, the late father 64 00:03:11,000 --> 00:03:16,000 Speaker 2: Shazaied and Hayan. He was a visionary man through his vision, 65 00:03:16,080 --> 00:03:19,160 Speaker 2: you see this country being created that caters to the 66 00:03:19,160 --> 00:03:22,000 Speaker 2: wants and needs of its people. And you know it's 67 00:03:22,040 --> 00:03:25,480 Speaker 2: been His story is continued on by his son, the 68 00:03:25,520 --> 00:03:27,680 Speaker 2: current president, His Highness Chahamed Benzaid. 69 00:03:28,160 --> 00:03:30,720 Speaker 1: When was oil discovered in Abu Aabi? 70 00:03:31,840 --> 00:03:35,320 Speaker 2: So oil was discovered prior to the formation of the country. 71 00:03:36,520 --> 00:03:39,200 Speaker 2: It was discovered, and when it was discovered, it was 72 00:03:39,200 --> 00:03:42,360 Speaker 2: thought of how am I going to utilize this natural resources? 73 00:03:42,640 --> 00:03:45,960 Speaker 2: Like we've always utilized our natural resources to find value, 74 00:03:46,000 --> 00:03:48,680 Speaker 2: to create value for our people, I sue. 75 00:03:48,240 --> 00:03:51,160 Speaker 1: But before oil was discovered, the main business in this 76 00:03:51,280 --> 00:03:53,720 Speaker 1: part of the world er Abu Dhabi was what. 77 00:03:54,360 --> 00:03:57,240 Speaker 2: You know, through time, we've always utilized our natural resources, 78 00:03:57,280 --> 00:04:01,080 Speaker 2: whether it's pearls, whether it's copper. You know, we've always 79 00:04:01,080 --> 00:04:04,120 Speaker 2: been a trade partner. You know, our ancient trade routes, 80 00:04:04,120 --> 00:04:07,920 Speaker 2: whether it's we're ancient Mesopotamia to ancient China, We've always 81 00:04:08,000 --> 00:04:12,920 Speaker 2: traded natural resources throughout time. We've always utilized that. And 82 00:04:13,040 --> 00:04:15,800 Speaker 2: just like we've utilized oil, the next step is utilizing 83 00:04:15,840 --> 00:04:19,920 Speaker 2: the most important natural resources, which is us people, human beings. 84 00:04:20,160 --> 00:04:22,400 Speaker 1: Let's talk about some of the museums you're building or 85 00:04:22,400 --> 00:04:25,359 Speaker 1: have already built. So when I want to go see 86 00:04:25,440 --> 00:04:28,840 Speaker 1: the Louver, I usually go to Paris. But now I 87 00:04:28,960 --> 00:04:31,279 Speaker 1: found out you have your own Louver, just that connected 88 00:04:31,279 --> 00:04:32,400 Speaker 1: to the one in Paris. 89 00:04:32,520 --> 00:04:37,000 Speaker 2: By name, but not by curatorial intent or by misography. 90 00:04:37,400 --> 00:04:40,080 Speaker 2: So the louver Able of course, is in partnership with 91 00:04:40,160 --> 00:04:43,040 Speaker 2: the Louver Paris, as in partnership with AFM, which is 92 00:04:43,080 --> 00:04:46,440 Speaker 2: the Asian France Museums. That partnership is a long standing 93 00:04:46,480 --> 00:04:50,640 Speaker 2: partnership that continues to flourishes. In that partnership, there is 94 00:04:50,760 --> 00:04:54,240 Speaker 2: a there is a transfer of knowledge that's being transferred 95 00:04:54,240 --> 00:04:57,200 Speaker 2: to on a daily basis. There's loans that come from 96 00:04:57,240 --> 00:05:00,760 Speaker 2: the different French museums. That's compounded with the acquisitions that 97 00:05:00,800 --> 00:05:03,400 Speaker 2: we acquire for our assets and with the team building 98 00:05:03,400 --> 00:05:05,400 Speaker 2: that we have created from the opening of this museum. 99 00:05:05,839 --> 00:05:07,880 Speaker 1: They lend you some things from time to time and 100 00:05:07,920 --> 00:05:10,360 Speaker 1: you lend them something absolutely so are they going to 101 00:05:10,440 --> 00:05:11,960 Speaker 1: lend them on a leasha anytime soon? 102 00:05:12,560 --> 00:05:16,000 Speaker 2: Maybe? Maybe? You know. Currently we have a one of 103 00:05:16,040 --> 00:05:18,839 Speaker 2: the most beautiful paintings in our museums and at the 104 00:05:18,839 --> 00:05:22,680 Speaker 2: Louver is Da Vinci's John the Baptist, and it's quite 105 00:05:22,720 --> 00:05:26,359 Speaker 2: beautiful because the way we have the musography of the 106 00:05:26,400 --> 00:05:29,720 Speaker 2: Louver Abby is quite interesting because it gives you a 107 00:05:29,839 --> 00:05:32,159 Speaker 2: one to one view of everything you're looking at, whether 108 00:05:32,160 --> 00:05:35,320 Speaker 2: it's a painting, whether it's an artifact. It is very 109 00:05:35,360 --> 00:05:38,680 Speaker 2: sort of inept in creating a passionate interaction with what 110 00:05:38,720 --> 00:05:39,280 Speaker 2: you're looking at. 111 00:05:39,400 --> 00:05:44,120 Speaker 1: We're building another art museum of the Gugenheim. Now Louver's 112 00:05:44,200 --> 00:05:46,160 Speaker 1: big enough. Why do you need a Googenheim as well 113 00:05:46,240 --> 00:05:46,880 Speaker 1: right next door? 114 00:05:47,000 --> 00:05:49,080 Speaker 2: I think it's a great question. It's I think the 115 00:05:49,120 --> 00:05:52,320 Speaker 2: beautiful thing about the Ue and Abodabi is we live 116 00:05:52,400 --> 00:05:55,480 Speaker 2: with over two hundred nationalities and in doing so, they 117 00:05:55,520 --> 00:05:58,479 Speaker 2: have become a part of the countries and the city's fabric, 118 00:05:59,080 --> 00:06:01,120 Speaker 2: and we need to celebrate that. So we need to 119 00:06:01,120 --> 00:06:06,359 Speaker 2: celebrate everybody's identity, everybody's background, everybody's heritage, everybody's history. And 120 00:06:06,480 --> 00:06:09,360 Speaker 2: what a beautiful way in doing so in these beautiful institutions. 121 00:06:09,600 --> 00:06:13,440 Speaker 2: These museums are educational institutions and their community institutions. So 122 00:06:13,600 --> 00:06:16,680 Speaker 2: we wanted to curate really a story where you come 123 00:06:16,760 --> 00:06:19,800 Speaker 2: to saidiat cultural district and you, if you allow me 124 00:06:19,880 --> 00:06:21,880 Speaker 2: to curate the story, you start off at the Natural 125 00:06:21,920 --> 00:06:24,440 Speaker 2: History Museum, and at the Natural History Museum you get 126 00:06:24,480 --> 00:06:26,400 Speaker 2: a glimpse and you get an understanding of how we 127 00:06:26,480 --> 00:06:28,400 Speaker 2: came to be, how our earth came to be, how 128 00:06:28,440 --> 00:06:31,960 Speaker 2: our universe came to be from a scientific perspective. Once 129 00:06:32,000 --> 00:06:34,039 Speaker 2: you leave the Natural History Museum, you go to our 130 00:06:34,120 --> 00:06:37,400 Speaker 2: national museum, the Chersaid National Museum. There you understand the 131 00:06:37,440 --> 00:06:39,880 Speaker 2: history of this great land, not just the history of 132 00:06:39,920 --> 00:06:42,120 Speaker 2: the country, but the people of this land that have 133 00:06:42,240 --> 00:06:43,960 Speaker 2: been a part of this land for over three hundred 134 00:06:44,000 --> 00:06:46,880 Speaker 2: thousand years. You get a glimpse of what the past 135 00:06:47,279 --> 00:06:49,200 Speaker 2: and the present and the future looks like here in 136 00:06:49,200 --> 00:06:52,600 Speaker 2: the Ue. From there you maneuver yourself to the Eluf 137 00:06:52,600 --> 00:06:56,240 Speaker 2: of Abbababi, which is a beautiful universal museum. It is 138 00:06:56,440 --> 00:07:00,599 Speaker 2: universal and stematic approach, so there you basically see a 139 00:07:00,680 --> 00:07:03,800 Speaker 2: part of view on an equal pedestal with the entire world. 140 00:07:04,080 --> 00:07:06,159 Speaker 2: Then you leave to the Guggenheim able By, which is 141 00:07:06,200 --> 00:07:09,440 Speaker 2: a contemporary art museum focusing on art from the late 142 00:07:09,520 --> 00:07:12,800 Speaker 2: nineteen forties to today, but it looks at it at 143 00:07:12,840 --> 00:07:16,200 Speaker 2: a truly global perspective. So yes, you will see art 144 00:07:16,400 --> 00:07:19,920 Speaker 2: from Pollock or Rothko or Bascia or Warhol, but it's 145 00:07:19,920 --> 00:07:22,400 Speaker 2: going to be side by side by artists from Kenya 146 00:07:22,720 --> 00:07:26,240 Speaker 2: from Nepal, from the Philippines and all over the world. 147 00:07:26,280 --> 00:07:28,240 Speaker 2: We have taken it upon ourselves to make sure that 148 00:07:28,400 --> 00:07:31,760 Speaker 2: art within the Gugenheim Abaab is showcased not just from 149 00:07:31,800 --> 00:07:34,520 Speaker 2: a Western perspective, but a truly global South perspective. 150 00:07:34,560 --> 00:07:37,280 Speaker 1: You're wanting to build a modern contemporary art museum, Why 151 00:07:37,320 --> 00:07:39,400 Speaker 1: couldn't you just build one? Why did you have an 152 00:07:39,400 --> 00:07:41,760 Speaker 1: affiliation or why do you have an affiliation with Gougenheim? 153 00:07:41,800 --> 00:07:42,560 Speaker 1: What can they do for you? 154 00:07:42,680 --> 00:07:45,000 Speaker 2: So some mixture of things similar to the loof first 155 00:07:45,040 --> 00:07:48,119 Speaker 2: is a fantastic opportunity of transfer of knowledge, working side 156 00:07:48,120 --> 00:07:50,640 Speaker 2: by side with that fantastic team at the Guggenheim in 157 00:07:50,640 --> 00:07:53,320 Speaker 2: New York and at the Gougenheim Bilbao and working on 158 00:07:53,480 --> 00:07:57,560 Speaker 2: how we can detail this museum together. Compounded by that, 159 00:07:57,640 --> 00:08:01,760 Speaker 2: you know, you're taking years and blueprints of acquisition committees, 160 00:08:01,920 --> 00:08:05,480 Speaker 2: of curatorial committees, musography committees, and you're taking them and 161 00:08:05,520 --> 00:08:07,880 Speaker 2: then you're evolving them to your wants and to your needs. 162 00:08:08,160 --> 00:08:10,920 Speaker 1: Museums are great, and I I'm involved with a number 163 00:08:10,920 --> 00:08:14,280 Speaker 1: of museums myself the United States, but also there are 164 00:08:14,360 --> 00:08:17,840 Speaker 1: performing arts parts of the cultural world. Are you involved 165 00:08:17,840 --> 00:08:21,320 Speaker 1: in performing arts as well, absolutely. I mean Unesco designated 166 00:08:21,760 --> 00:08:23,640 Speaker 1: as a city of Music. Music is very close to 167 00:08:23,680 --> 00:08:24,040 Speaker 1: our heart. 168 00:08:24,400 --> 00:08:25,800 Speaker 2: As I said, you know, when you live with over 169 00:08:25,800 --> 00:08:28,880 Speaker 2: two other nationalities, they bring in their musical touches to 170 00:08:28,920 --> 00:08:32,480 Speaker 2: the story. So you know, our events calendar is filled 171 00:08:32,520 --> 00:08:35,720 Speaker 2: with music from everything from classical music to hip hop, 172 00:08:36,000 --> 00:08:39,440 Speaker 2: to pop, to Korean pop to dance, and the list 173 00:08:39,520 --> 00:08:42,760 Speaker 2: goes on. And you know since COVID, where the world 174 00:08:42,840 --> 00:08:44,360 Speaker 2: told us people are not going to come to these 175 00:08:44,400 --> 00:08:47,040 Speaker 2: live events, we have pretty much sold out every single 176 00:08:47,080 --> 00:08:49,560 Speaker 2: live musical events catering for all demographics. 177 00:08:49,559 --> 00:08:52,760 Speaker 1: That you build a facility for these as well, yes, sir, yes, sir. 178 00:08:53,200 --> 00:08:55,320 Speaker 1: And let me ask you who is going to go 179 00:08:55,400 --> 00:08:58,040 Speaker 1: to all these because your population is not that big. 180 00:08:58,080 --> 00:09:00,160 Speaker 1: Do you have enough people that can fill up all 181 00:09:00,160 --> 00:09:03,280 Speaker 1: these museums and performing arts arenas and so forth. 182 00:09:03,600 --> 00:09:07,000 Speaker 2: So I think first and foremost is the why, as 183 00:09:07,000 --> 00:09:09,560 Speaker 2: you rightfully said, why are we building these So when 184 00:09:09,600 --> 00:09:12,520 Speaker 2: it comes to our cultural institutions, because we truly believe 185 00:09:12,679 --> 00:09:15,960 Speaker 2: that culture is the backbone of any forward thinking society. 186 00:09:16,160 --> 00:09:18,640 Speaker 2: Culture has to be embedded in our DNA like it's 187 00:09:18,640 --> 00:09:21,560 Speaker 2: always has been, so they're not The institutions were not 188 00:09:21,600 --> 00:09:24,280 Speaker 2: built for tourists, that are actually built for the residence 189 00:09:24,320 --> 00:09:26,640 Speaker 2: here and for the future generations of residents here in 190 00:09:26,679 --> 00:09:29,280 Speaker 2: Abbabi and the United Aldamirates. And of course then you 191 00:09:29,280 --> 00:09:32,080 Speaker 2: have the tourism story. Last year we had little under 192 00:09:32,120 --> 00:09:34,719 Speaker 2: five point three million tourists. We're looking to target this 193 00:09:34,840 --> 00:09:36,360 Speaker 2: year a little bit over six million tourists. 194 00:09:36,480 --> 00:09:39,320 Speaker 1: Where are your tourists principally coming from, really from all 195 00:09:39,360 --> 00:09:39,880 Speaker 1: over the world. 196 00:09:39,960 --> 00:09:41,880 Speaker 2: But I think if I'm going to look at five time, 197 00:09:42,160 --> 00:09:45,000 Speaker 2: my top five destinations, you're looking at the Indian market, 198 00:09:45,080 --> 00:09:49,480 Speaker 2: the Chinese market, the Russian market, the UK market, of course, 199 00:09:49,559 --> 00:09:53,040 Speaker 2: the Western European markets, whether it's Germany or France. So 200 00:09:53,080 --> 00:09:54,360 Speaker 2: they're really coming from everywhere. 201 00:09:54,360 --> 00:09:56,000 Speaker 1: What about the Americans? Are they showing up? 202 00:09:56,040 --> 00:09:58,200 Speaker 2: Absolutely so. We have seen a double digit growth of 203 00:09:58,200 --> 00:10:00,600 Speaker 2: the last two years with American tours coming from the US. 204 00:10:00,720 --> 00:10:02,679 Speaker 1: You know, I was chairman of the Smithsonian for a 205 00:10:02,760 --> 00:10:04,920 Speaker 1: number of years, and very often when we had a 206 00:10:04,960 --> 00:10:09,440 Speaker 1: popular museum attraction, we get calls who people wanted free tickets. 207 00:10:09,679 --> 00:10:12,200 Speaker 1: Tickets are free, but they wanted access. If you ever 208 00:10:12,240 --> 00:10:13,720 Speaker 1: get that kind of request. 209 00:10:13,600 --> 00:10:15,200 Speaker 2: Yeah, And you know, the fact of the matter is, 210 00:10:15,280 --> 00:10:17,679 Speaker 2: like I said, these museums are educational institutions. So first 211 00:10:17,720 --> 00:10:21,800 Speaker 2: of all, all kids going for free, all military personnel 212 00:10:21,840 --> 00:10:25,600 Speaker 2: going for free, anybody over the age of sixty goes 213 00:10:25,600 --> 00:10:29,440 Speaker 2: in for free. And then anybody who's doing research gets 214 00:10:29,440 --> 00:10:33,880 Speaker 2: a heavily subsidized aspect of their ticket. They also get 215 00:10:34,440 --> 00:10:37,320 Speaker 2: the right to basically enter all our research labs. So, 216 00:10:37,640 --> 00:10:40,480 Speaker 2: like I said, they are educational and community facilities. What 217 00:10:40,559 --> 00:10:43,880 Speaker 2: about private equity people, they go on for free if 218 00:10:43,920 --> 00:10:44,480 Speaker 2: they sponsor. 219 00:10:46,240 --> 00:10:48,600 Speaker 1: So as we talk, there's a fair amount of turmoil 220 00:10:48,640 --> 00:10:52,120 Speaker 1: in some parts of the Middle East, obviously, but what 221 00:10:52,200 --> 00:10:54,080 Speaker 1: about this part of the Middle East? Is it affected 222 00:10:54,120 --> 00:10:58,559 Speaker 1: by what's going on in Israel? And Gaza and Syria 223 00:10:58,600 --> 00:11:01,160 Speaker 1: and Lebanon are not so affected? 224 00:11:01,520 --> 00:11:03,520 Speaker 2: I think first and foremost, one thing that we all 225 00:11:03,880 --> 00:11:07,640 Speaker 2: as human beings look for is peace and harmony. You know, 226 00:11:07,679 --> 00:11:11,360 Speaker 2: nobody wants to see devastation happening anywhere around the world, 227 00:11:11,480 --> 00:11:13,440 Speaker 2: regardless if it's next to you or not next to you. 228 00:11:13,960 --> 00:11:16,760 Speaker 2: The United Emirates is home to two hundred nationalities from 229 00:11:16,760 --> 00:11:20,440 Speaker 2: all over the world, different religions, different backgrounds, and the 230 00:11:20,480 --> 00:11:23,600 Speaker 2: focus is really on how we keep our community safe 231 00:11:23,760 --> 00:11:27,000 Speaker 2: and make sure that basically we work with entire diplomatic 232 00:11:27,000 --> 00:11:28,920 Speaker 2: ties to make sure that we can find the solution 233 00:11:29,200 --> 00:11:32,119 Speaker 2: that caters for the wants and needs of the overall 234 00:11:32,400 --> 00:11:34,200 Speaker 2: world when it comes to peaceful coexistence. 235 00:11:34,320 --> 00:11:37,640 Speaker 1: Now in the United States, there's a big concern about 236 00:11:37,640 --> 00:11:40,560 Speaker 1: immigration into the country as a political issue. Yes, sir, 237 00:11:41,360 --> 00:11:44,360 Speaker 1: here you have a lot of immigrants coming in. More 238 00:11:44,400 --> 00:11:46,880 Speaker 1: immigrants live here than people from the native part of 239 00:11:47,000 --> 00:11:49,600 Speaker 1: Abu Dhabi. I assume is that a concern or is 240 00:11:49,600 --> 00:11:50,480 Speaker 1: that not like a problem? 241 00:11:50,679 --> 00:11:52,400 Speaker 2: Not a problem because the fact the matter is that 242 00:11:52,440 --> 00:11:55,400 Speaker 2: we're still a developing country. We're still a developing city. 243 00:11:56,040 --> 00:11:59,040 Speaker 2: Everything is done through a well thought of strategy. So 244 00:11:59,080 --> 00:12:01,680 Speaker 2: it's not just basically let's open our doors and everybody 245 00:12:01,760 --> 00:12:04,120 Speaker 2: come in. You know, you're looking for talent also, you 246 00:12:04,160 --> 00:12:08,000 Speaker 2: know teachers, nurses, doctors, engineers. These are people that are 247 00:12:08,000 --> 00:12:09,720 Speaker 2: flying in here that are helping us grow. 248 00:12:10,360 --> 00:12:13,880 Speaker 1: So sometimes when populations grow quickly, you see a lot 249 00:12:13,880 --> 00:12:16,800 Speaker 1: of crime. You have a lot of crime here. 250 00:12:17,120 --> 00:12:19,280 Speaker 2: It is one of the safest cities in the world. 251 00:12:20,000 --> 00:12:22,920 Speaker 2: One because there is a clear strategy and a plan 252 00:12:23,000 --> 00:12:26,480 Speaker 2: for that. But two, everybody lives here, loves the way 253 00:12:26,520 --> 00:12:29,600 Speaker 2: of life here. They want to sustain it. So everybody 254 00:12:29,679 --> 00:12:31,400 Speaker 2: works hand in hand together to sustain that. 255 00:12:31,800 --> 00:12:34,000 Speaker 1: In Europe and the United States, you often see in 256 00:12:34,080 --> 00:12:37,719 Speaker 1: major cities homeless people. I haven't seen any here, but 257 00:12:37,760 --> 00:12:40,080 Speaker 1: maybe there are some. There's homelessness a problem. 258 00:12:40,600 --> 00:12:43,480 Speaker 2: So when it comes to the local population, and this 259 00:12:43,600 --> 00:12:45,480 Speaker 2: is where I always go back and say, you know, 260 00:12:45,600 --> 00:12:49,440 Speaker 2: the government continuously works on enhancing the quality of life 261 00:12:49,440 --> 00:12:52,200 Speaker 2: of the residents and the locals of the United Emirates. 262 00:12:52,400 --> 00:12:55,920 Speaker 2: So US as locals, you know, we have opportunities to 263 00:12:55,960 --> 00:12:58,880 Speaker 2: get free land for our housing, So free housing, free 264 00:12:58,920 --> 00:13:04,800 Speaker 2: medicare subzed power and water, and a job opportunity. So 265 00:13:04,840 --> 00:13:07,640 Speaker 2: you are given the tools to succeed. What you do 266 00:13:07,720 --> 00:13:09,240 Speaker 2: after these tools is really up to you. 267 00:13:09,320 --> 00:13:12,760 Speaker 1: Let's talk about your own background. So where were you born. 268 00:13:12,920 --> 00:13:15,480 Speaker 2: I was born in Paris, Paris, yes, Sir Paris friends, 269 00:13:15,640 --> 00:13:19,360 Speaker 2: and moved back to Abby and grew up here. I 270 00:13:19,400 --> 00:13:23,680 Speaker 2: had a fantastic upbringing. You know, the community society was 271 00:13:23,800 --> 00:13:27,000 Speaker 2: just amazing to be a part of it, always seeing 272 00:13:27,040 --> 00:13:30,480 Speaker 2: a sense of how leadership is so close to the people, 273 00:13:30,760 --> 00:13:32,400 Speaker 2: on how it always wants to make sure that the 274 00:13:32,440 --> 00:13:35,800 Speaker 2: people are comfortable and happy. You know, my mother did 275 00:13:35,800 --> 00:13:40,200 Speaker 2: an amazing job with my siblings and myself. We're very 276 00:13:40,240 --> 00:13:42,400 Speaker 2: close together. You know, my brother and my sisters were 277 00:13:42,440 --> 00:13:43,840 Speaker 2: all a very tight knit family. 278 00:13:43,880 --> 00:13:45,360 Speaker 1: How many shiplings do you have? 279 00:13:45,480 --> 00:13:48,000 Speaker 2: So I have a older brother and two older sisters, 280 00:13:48,200 --> 00:13:49,000 Speaker 2: so we're full of this. 281 00:13:49,080 --> 00:13:52,400 Speaker 1: Older brother runs Mubarra, which is an investment or. Yes, 282 00:13:52,440 --> 00:13:55,920 Speaker 1: Sir Abu Dhabie and your sisters are they involved in 283 00:13:56,160 --> 00:13:57,720 Speaker 1: Abu Dhabi in some way like you are? 284 00:13:57,800 --> 00:14:02,040 Speaker 2: So? My sister Razannel Mobarak, she works for the environmental 285 00:14:02,040 --> 00:14:05,280 Speaker 2: agency here nobleb You know, she is an advocator of 286 00:14:05,280 --> 00:14:10,680 Speaker 2: sustainability and safeguarding the environment. My other sister as a 287 00:14:10,720 --> 00:14:14,920 Speaker 2: studied lawyer and right now she has probably a very 288 00:14:14,960 --> 00:14:17,720 Speaker 2: important job which is focusing on her family. 289 00:14:18,280 --> 00:14:20,320 Speaker 1: Now, your brother once told me that you have a 290 00:14:20,360 --> 00:14:25,440 Speaker 1: big comic book collection. So you still collect that comic books? 291 00:14:25,480 --> 00:14:26,400 Speaker 1: And what are you going to do with them? 292 00:14:26,560 --> 00:14:29,160 Speaker 2: So I've I fell in love with comics at a 293 00:14:29,280 --> 00:14:32,720 Speaker 2: very early age. You know, I grew up. I remember 294 00:14:32,800 --> 00:14:36,440 Speaker 2: as early as I can. Every time I'd find a 295 00:14:36,560 --> 00:14:40,440 Speaker 2: Superman comic, or a Batman comic, or an X Men comic, 296 00:14:40,560 --> 00:14:43,160 Speaker 2: you know, whether it's DC or Marvel, I basically gobbled 297 00:14:43,200 --> 00:14:44,880 Speaker 2: them up. I took them up, and I ran up 298 00:14:44,880 --> 00:14:46,520 Speaker 2: to my room and I sat on my corner and 299 00:14:46,600 --> 00:14:50,640 Speaker 2: I basically just I love the concept of creating something 300 00:14:50,680 --> 00:14:54,520 Speaker 2: so imaginative, creating these worlds, you know, creating these characters 301 00:14:54,520 --> 00:14:57,880 Speaker 2: that are actually so detailed, but they have so much 302 00:14:57,920 --> 00:15:00,800 Speaker 2: weight to them, emotional weight to them. I love that, 303 00:15:00,840 --> 00:15:02,960 Speaker 2: you know. I love the concept of storytelling. And that's 304 00:15:03,000 --> 00:15:06,440 Speaker 2: what actually what my job's all about today. It's about storytelling. 305 00:15:06,640 --> 00:15:10,640 Speaker 2: Whether it's curating museums with the Fantastic team, whether it's 306 00:15:10,720 --> 00:15:14,120 Speaker 2: curating experiences in our theme parks, whether it's curating experiences, 307 00:15:14,120 --> 00:15:15,360 Speaker 2: it's storytelling and itself. 308 00:15:15,640 --> 00:15:18,440 Speaker 1: Finish your own story. Did you go to college in 309 00:15:18,480 --> 00:15:20,120 Speaker 1: the United States or yes, sir. 310 00:15:20,040 --> 00:15:23,280 Speaker 2: So, I went to college in Boston and Northeastern University. 311 00:15:23,760 --> 00:15:25,200 Speaker 2: Amazing four years of my life. 312 00:15:25,240 --> 00:15:26,200 Speaker 1: You know, I love study. 313 00:15:26,360 --> 00:15:30,040 Speaker 2: I studied political science and economics. Did study museums, No, 314 00:15:30,280 --> 00:15:32,160 Speaker 2: But I was I was always infactuated. 315 00:15:32,320 --> 00:15:34,960 Speaker 1: So when you went to college in Boston, as you 316 00:15:35,000 --> 00:15:37,280 Speaker 1: told people you were from Abu Dhabi, what did they say? 317 00:15:38,680 --> 00:15:39,360 Speaker 1: So where it was? 318 00:15:40,400 --> 00:15:42,320 Speaker 2: You know? I was lucky, you know, I went to 319 00:15:42,560 --> 00:15:44,560 Speaker 2: university and I went to a place where you had 320 00:15:44,560 --> 00:15:46,960 Speaker 2: a lot of international university kids from all over the world, 321 00:15:46,960 --> 00:15:49,200 Speaker 2: so they knew where U is, they knew where Abbi was, 322 00:15:49,640 --> 00:15:52,960 Speaker 2: but they had, you know, not a lot of information 323 00:15:53,000 --> 00:15:56,440 Speaker 2: about it. The funny thing right now is every single 324 00:15:56,800 --> 00:15:59,400 Speaker 2: student I went to school with has come to the 325 00:15:59,440 --> 00:16:02,040 Speaker 2: Abbab And when they've come down here, they've called me 326 00:16:02,040 --> 00:16:03,120 Speaker 2: and said, oh, you remember I was with you in 327 00:16:03,120 --> 00:16:05,280 Speaker 2: freshman year, I was with you in sophomore years with 328 00:16:05,320 --> 00:16:06,960 Speaker 2: here And I said, yeah, of course, remember, he said, 329 00:16:07,120 --> 00:16:09,920 Speaker 2: you know we've come here. It is amazing. They ask 330 00:16:09,960 --> 00:16:12,840 Speaker 2: you for free tickets to lover sometimes sometimes they do. 331 00:16:13,080 --> 00:16:15,160 Speaker 2: Sometimes they do. You know, I don't give my professor's 332 00:16:15,160 --> 00:16:16,440 Speaker 2: free tickets, but the students I do. 333 00:16:16,600 --> 00:16:18,320 Speaker 1: If I'm just going to say to you, I'm going 334 00:16:18,360 --> 00:16:20,040 Speaker 1: to leave the country in about an hour, I have 335 00:16:20,120 --> 00:16:22,280 Speaker 1: to fly back to the United States. I've got an 336 00:16:22,280 --> 00:16:24,880 Speaker 1: hour to visit something. What should I visit in my 337 00:16:24,960 --> 00:16:25,440 Speaker 1: one hour? 338 00:16:25,960 --> 00:16:28,240 Speaker 2: Due to our infrastructure? What I believe you can do 339 00:16:28,320 --> 00:16:33,120 Speaker 2: in an hour? You being a cultural enthusiast, I would 340 00:16:33,120 --> 00:16:37,680 Speaker 2: probably recommend you visit the Side Mosque. And you see, 341 00:16:37,680 --> 00:16:39,239 Speaker 2: it's this beautiful mosque. 342 00:16:38,960 --> 00:16:40,600 Speaker 1: And one of those gregious mosque in the world. 343 00:16:40,640 --> 00:16:43,960 Speaker 2: Absolutely, and it's just it's architectural stunning. You get there, 344 00:16:44,080 --> 00:16:47,720 Speaker 2: you get an understanding of this beautiful space. Maybe spend 345 00:16:47,720 --> 00:16:49,840 Speaker 2: twenty minutes there, and then if you have an hour, 346 00:16:49,960 --> 00:16:53,160 Speaker 2: and then it's a around eight to ten minute drive 347 00:16:53,240 --> 00:16:57,200 Speaker 2: to Russell Husson, the oldest standing fort here in Abodabi. 348 00:16:57,240 --> 00:16:59,240 Speaker 2: It's in the center of the city. You also get 349 00:16:59,240 --> 00:17:01,760 Speaker 2: a view of the entire sort of city. Spend twenty 350 00:17:01,800 --> 00:17:04,680 Speaker 2: minutes there and then you shoot out. Eight minutes later 351 00:17:04,680 --> 00:17:06,240 Speaker 2: you're at the Louver Bladubby and then you're off the 352 00:17:06,320 --> 00:17:08,920 Speaker 2: airport and currently at the Louverbadubby, we have an amazing 353 00:17:09,000 --> 00:17:12,159 Speaker 2: post impressionist exhibition. If you get a chance, it's amazing, 354 00:17:12,240 --> 00:17:15,280 Speaker 2: some amazing Van goghs. So you tick that box. 355 00:17:15,359 --> 00:17:18,320 Speaker 1: You've had some NBA pre season games here, sir. Are 356 00:17:18,320 --> 00:17:22,040 Speaker 1: you planning and bringing any NBA teams here permanently or 357 00:17:22,080 --> 00:17:23,000 Speaker 1: just for pre season? 358 00:17:23,080 --> 00:17:26,400 Speaker 2: Sports and itself brings people together regardless what your background. 359 00:17:26,600 --> 00:17:28,520 Speaker 2: So we're big on sports entertainment. 360 00:17:28,640 --> 00:17:28,840 Speaker 1: You know. 361 00:17:28,920 --> 00:17:32,239 Speaker 2: We've started that the with Formula one in not just 362 00:17:32,280 --> 00:17:36,480 Speaker 2: focusing on the sport itself, but creating musical experiences, food 363 00:17:36,480 --> 00:17:40,159 Speaker 2: and beverage experiences, retail experiences, all engulfed over a weekend 364 00:17:40,600 --> 00:17:43,760 Speaker 2: and the whole city basically celebrates Formula one. Then you 365 00:17:43,800 --> 00:17:45,919 Speaker 2: took it to another step further where we took the 366 00:17:46,000 --> 00:17:49,920 Speaker 2: engineering and the sports excellence component and we've embedded it 367 00:17:50,000 --> 00:17:54,160 Speaker 2: within our school programs and our different educational programs. And 368 00:17:54,400 --> 00:17:57,119 Speaker 2: it's because since we've started Formula one to where we 369 00:17:57,160 --> 00:18:02,280 Speaker 2: are today now we have a strong of female drivers, 370 00:18:02,400 --> 00:18:06,040 Speaker 2: male drivers racing in all aspects of racing within the 371 00:18:06,119 --> 00:18:09,560 Speaker 2: UE and beyond. So it is really a long term 372 00:18:09,600 --> 00:18:12,760 Speaker 2: partnership story with the sport itself. Same thing with UFC. 373 00:18:12,960 --> 00:18:16,199 Speaker 2: We brought in UFC. Prior to the UFC investment, there 374 00:18:16,240 --> 00:18:18,480 Speaker 2: was an investment in the sports ju jitsu. Jiu jitsu 375 00:18:18,520 --> 00:18:21,520 Speaker 2: became a national sport and today we have over seven 376 00:18:21,600 --> 00:18:25,159 Speaker 2: hundred and fifty thousand jiu jitsu fighters here in the 377 00:18:25,200 --> 00:18:28,359 Speaker 2: UE that have won global medals from all over the world. 378 00:18:28,440 --> 00:18:30,399 Speaker 2: You can clearly see that we are investing not just 379 00:18:30,440 --> 00:18:32,720 Speaker 2: in the sport, but in the infrastructure, both hard and soft. 380 00:18:32,800 --> 00:18:35,640 Speaker 1: So Abu Dhabi is part of the UAE, is part 381 00:18:35,680 --> 00:18:38,680 Speaker 1: of what's called the Golf Cooperation Council, which is a 382 00:18:38,760 --> 00:18:41,480 Speaker 1: number of countries that are blessed with having some oil. 383 00:18:41,520 --> 00:18:43,000 Speaker 1: I would say, most of them have a fair amount 384 00:18:43,040 --> 00:18:49,760 Speaker 1: of oil. They include Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, and Bahrain. 385 00:18:49,880 --> 00:18:52,920 Speaker 1: So are these other countries Shiella's saying, hey, don't bring 386 00:18:52,960 --> 00:18:55,360 Speaker 1: all these tours just to your country, because we want 387 00:18:55,359 --> 00:18:57,760 Speaker 1: to have some tours too, because they don't have anything 388 00:18:57,840 --> 00:19:00,240 Speaker 1: quite like you have. Did they ever mention this to you? 389 00:19:00,240 --> 00:19:03,040 Speaker 2: You know? On the contrary, you know, we've heard sort 390 00:19:03,040 --> 00:19:06,400 Speaker 2: of press outside press talk about, for example, competitiveness between 391 00:19:06,400 --> 00:19:09,080 Speaker 2: even Abadabi and Dubai. But the fact of the matter 392 00:19:09,160 --> 00:19:12,000 Speaker 2: is is we all are complementary, similar to what we 393 00:19:12,040 --> 00:19:14,920 Speaker 2: see in places like the US or even Europe, just 394 00:19:14,920 --> 00:19:16,680 Speaker 2: because of the size of the US. But we will 395 00:19:16,680 --> 00:19:19,119 Speaker 2: fly to the US, you know, their bucket list is 396 00:19:19,160 --> 00:19:22,800 Speaker 2: to go to New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, New Orleans, 397 00:19:22,920 --> 00:19:25,800 Speaker 2: and the list goes on. Same thing. In Europe, it's Paris, 398 00:19:25,960 --> 00:19:30,439 Speaker 2: it's London, it's Rome, it's Milan, and the list goes on. 399 00:19:30,720 --> 00:19:33,080 Speaker 2: When it comes to this region, like I said, it 400 00:19:33,240 --> 00:19:37,240 Speaker 2: is widely connected, it is in close proximity to each other. 401 00:19:37,440 --> 00:19:43,840 Speaker 2: So the tourists in reality will go to Dubai, Abbo, Dabi, Rial, Doha. 402 00:19:44,080 --> 00:19:47,159 Speaker 2: So we're really all complimenting each other with different experiences. 403 00:19:47,440 --> 00:19:50,399 Speaker 1: Let's talk about another side of your life, which is 404 00:19:50,800 --> 00:19:56,080 Speaker 1: building hotels or refurbishing hotels or apartment buildings, residential and 405 00:19:56,080 --> 00:19:59,720 Speaker 1: so forth. So this area has grown so much that 406 00:20:00,119 --> 00:20:02,400 Speaker 1: it is seen at some parts people on the buy 407 00:20:02,440 --> 00:20:05,440 Speaker 1: are saying that there's not enough residential properties anymore for 408 00:20:05,520 --> 00:20:07,560 Speaker 1: people who want to live here and work here. Are 409 00:20:07,600 --> 00:20:10,200 Speaker 1: you building more residential properties in Abu Dhabi? And it 410 00:20:10,280 --> 00:20:13,360 Speaker 1: is just a real problem. Absolutely, it is a problem. 411 00:20:13,400 --> 00:20:14,440 Speaker 1: It's a good problem to have. 412 00:20:14,560 --> 00:20:17,240 Speaker 2: You know, you look at basically the growth story of 413 00:20:17,440 --> 00:20:20,719 Speaker 2: a company like Aldar. You know, in two thousand and 414 00:20:20,760 --> 00:20:23,840 Speaker 2: eight we were launching two to three developments a year. 415 00:20:24,520 --> 00:20:28,040 Speaker 2: Fast forward to this year, I've launched fourteen new developments, 416 00:20:28,240 --> 00:20:32,520 Speaker 2: so the scale is significantly larger. Our market cap has 417 00:20:32,560 --> 00:20:34,480 Speaker 2: grown five folds, so. 418 00:20:34,400 --> 00:20:36,320 Speaker 1: Your company is a publicly traded company. 419 00:20:36,119 --> 00:20:37,880 Speaker 2: Yes, sir. One of the things that is you talk 420 00:20:37,920 --> 00:20:41,720 Speaker 2: about the development aspect. So our development pipeline has grown 421 00:20:41,760 --> 00:20:43,960 Speaker 2: eight folds. If you look at just from a numbers perspective, 422 00:20:44,760 --> 00:20:46,600 Speaker 2: you know you're going to say, who's buying here? In 423 00:20:46,680 --> 00:20:50,199 Speaker 2: twenty and twenty one, eleven percent of my portfolio we're 424 00:20:50,240 --> 00:20:54,800 Speaker 2: international buyers twenty and twenty four close to thirty percent. 425 00:20:55,240 --> 00:20:57,080 Speaker 2: And these buyers are coming from all over the world, 426 00:20:57,440 --> 00:21:03,000 Speaker 2: predominantly coming from Southeast Asia, Asia, Eastern Europe, Western Europe. 427 00:21:03,280 --> 00:21:06,119 Speaker 2: And you might say why now, Why is to me 428 00:21:06,240 --> 00:21:08,879 Speaker 2: is a very easy is a very easy question, because 429 00:21:08,880 --> 00:21:11,560 Speaker 2: they're coming to a place where there is, like I said, 430 00:21:11,600 --> 00:21:15,200 Speaker 2: a continuous pursuit for quality of life. Are the safest 431 00:21:15,359 --> 00:21:19,480 Speaker 2: cities in the world where safety comes first, Medicare comes first. 432 00:21:19,920 --> 00:21:25,400 Speaker 2: The investment of government in education, medicare, infrastructure, public safety 433 00:21:25,640 --> 00:21:28,600 Speaker 2: is always front of mind. It's a place where it 434 00:21:28,760 --> 00:21:31,840 Speaker 2: is continuously evolving to create policies to cater for the 435 00:21:31,880 --> 00:21:34,600 Speaker 2: needs of the investor, cater for the needs of the buyer, 436 00:21:35,040 --> 00:21:37,520 Speaker 2: of the homeowner. You look at all of our sort 437 00:21:37,560 --> 00:21:41,639 Speaker 2: of sovereign funds, the mobidelas, the IHCs, the adqs of 438 00:21:41,720 --> 00:21:44,000 Speaker 2: this world, the ages of this world. Not only are 439 00:21:44,000 --> 00:21:47,000 Speaker 2: they investing outside, but they're also investing within in very 440 00:21:47,040 --> 00:21:53,040 Speaker 2: important sectors agritech ai, education, infrastructure, logistics. That is creating 441 00:21:53,119 --> 00:21:56,640 Speaker 2: massive job opportunities in the UEE, and people from all 442 00:21:56,640 --> 00:21:59,119 Speaker 2: over the world are taking these opportunities. So I almost 443 00:21:59,160 --> 00:22:01,760 Speaker 2: look at the u today is a place that is 444 00:22:01,800 --> 00:22:03,040 Speaker 2: the land of opportunity. 445 00:22:03,119 --> 00:22:06,520 Speaker 1: People are coming here and they're buying apartments. You don't 446 00:22:06,560 --> 00:22:08,239 Speaker 1: have to be a citizen of Abu Dhabi to buy 447 00:22:08,280 --> 00:22:10,640 Speaker 1: an apartment, no, sir. And when you buy a part 448 00:22:10,680 --> 00:22:13,320 Speaker 1: in an apartment here, can you become a citizen here 449 00:22:13,359 --> 00:22:14,639 Speaker 1: or how hard it is to be a citizen or 450 00:22:14,680 --> 00:22:17,240 Speaker 1: you don't need to be a citizen to live here, So. 451 00:22:17,160 --> 00:22:18,480 Speaker 2: You don't need to be a citizen to live here. 452 00:22:18,520 --> 00:22:21,159 Speaker 2: In terms of your acquisitions, there's new policies that have 453 00:22:21,160 --> 00:22:25,600 Speaker 2: been added, so long term residencies, golden visas for you 454 00:22:25,640 --> 00:22:29,479 Speaker 2: and for the entire family household, short term residency visas, 455 00:22:29,720 --> 00:22:32,159 Speaker 2: and also at the same time there's opportunities for nationalization. 456 00:22:32,440 --> 00:22:35,000 Speaker 1: You have no plans do something else in government or 457 00:22:35,040 --> 00:22:37,120 Speaker 1: you're going to stay in the private sector completely. At 458 00:22:37,119 --> 00:22:39,040 Speaker 1: some point, what is your future? 459 00:22:39,160 --> 00:22:43,040 Speaker 2: The future reallylies on the idea that we have to stop. 460 00:22:43,119 --> 00:22:45,399 Speaker 2: We don't have to stop. We have to continuously evolve, 461 00:22:45,720 --> 00:22:49,040 Speaker 2: we have to continuously be better. We have to continuously 462 00:22:49,080 --> 00:22:52,159 Speaker 2: cater to the needs of what our future generation wants. 463 00:22:52,400 --> 00:22:54,720 Speaker 2: And that's what makes the job special because you're always 464 00:22:54,720 --> 00:22:56,760 Speaker 2: thinking about the future. This is what makes the ue 465 00:22:56,800 --> 00:22:58,640 Speaker 2: special is what's next for us. 466 00:22:58,840 --> 00:23:01,760 Speaker 1: Let's suppose you were to summarize what you would like 467 00:23:01,800 --> 00:23:04,000 Speaker 1: the average person in the world to know about Abu Dhabi. 468 00:23:04,240 --> 00:23:06,119 Speaker 1: What would you say is the message you want to 469 00:23:06,119 --> 00:23:07,560 Speaker 1: convey to people about this country. 470 00:23:07,920 --> 00:23:11,000 Speaker 2: Seeing is believing, you know. The fact of the matter is, 471 00:23:11,040 --> 00:23:13,840 Speaker 2: I think we hear a lot of things, but in reality, 472 00:23:14,119 --> 00:23:16,200 Speaker 2: you know, take a step further, you know, do your 473 00:23:16,240 --> 00:23:19,960 Speaker 2: research and come because once you see what's happening here, 474 00:23:20,000 --> 00:23:23,160 Speaker 2: it is very very special. It's a place that is 475 00:23:23,480 --> 00:23:28,399 Speaker 2: really a place of belonging, a place of connectivity, a 476 00:23:28,480 --> 00:23:33,119 Speaker 2: place of understanding. And everything we are doing is for 477 00:23:33,600 --> 00:23:37,400 Speaker 2: the next generation and thenjration after that, So I would 478 00:23:37,440 --> 00:23:39,560 Speaker 2: love for everybody is to be a part of that 479 00:23:39,640 --> 00:23:40,000 Speaker 2: with us. 480 00:23:41,080 --> 00:23:43,600 Speaker 1: Thanks for listening to hear more of my interviews. You 481 00:23:43,640 --> 00:23:47,760 Speaker 1: can subscribe and download my podcast on Spotify, Apple, or 482 00:23:47,760 --> 00:23:48,600 Speaker 1: wherever you listen.