Over the past few years, the UAE’s multitude of diplomatic initiatives have included cultural diplomacy — such as an exhibition of Emirati art that toured nine US cities over two years and was titled Past Forward. This was in addition to major artistic events the UAE hosts including the Sharjah Biennial, Art Dubai and Abu Dhabi Art that bring thousands of people together. [...] However, very few of us know about the UAE’s historic role in sports diplomacy.

A collaboration between the British Council, the UK government and local strategic partners such as Abu Dhabi’s Tourism and Culture Authority (TCA), the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (DCAA) and the UAE’s Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development, the UK/UAE 2017 Year of Creative Collaboration is a series of events that range from the recent performances of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s West End record-breaking musical Cats at Dubai Opera, to scientific conferences on the UAE’s future ­urban development.

The International Defence Exhibition and Conference 2017 (IDEX 2017), a five-day defence exhibition, started with a colourful and impressive inaugural ceremony at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) on Sunday morning. The United Arab Emirates' armed forces took part in a military show at the opening of the Abu Dhabi event. Over 1,200 defence companies are presenting their products at IDEX 2017, in which 57 countries, including Pakistan, are participating.

When Aigul Saiapova decided to take up a political science course at New York University - Abu Dhabi, she did not expect to be propelled into a digital world. The 19-year-old Russian recently finished an i-Diplomacy class led by Tom Fletcher, a former adviser to three British prime ministers. [...] The course, which started last month, focuses on the way digital technology is reshaping the interaction between states

Eritrean nationals residing in Washington DC and its environs, the USA as well as in Dubai, UAE, conducted seminars on national issues. At the seminar the nationals conducted in Washington DC expressed readiness to strengthen participation and contribution for the success of the national development programs. [...] The participants raised 20,800 Dollars for buying and sending home 160 E-Books, report indicated.

How did Brand Dubai rise in such a short time span? Three elements sum it well. Passionate people, great products with a global connect, and popular annual events like the Dubai shopping Festival and Dubai duty Free tennis. The city embodies a rich character with a pioneering spirit, a commitment to innovation, the pursuit of excellence and prosperity, while embracing vast cultural diversity.

Overtly member states of the Heart of Asia Conference emphasized upon regional peace and stability, especially in Afghanistan, but, covertly US-led secret diplomacy prevailed over the moot. It was owing to such a strategy and American influence that the member delegates appreciated India’s constructive role in supporting Afghanistan and its people for the past decade and half.

In the context of this fraught historical moment, Tehran’s new exhibition is being promoted as a bracing act of cultural diplomacy. The exhibition is a collaboration between the government-owned TMoCA, the commercial Mohsen Gallery, and the Emirati Barjeel Art Foundation. It encompasses work from a variety of Arab countries