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The Zayed Centre for Coordination and Follow-Up came into existence as the fulfillment of the vision of the President of U.A.E. His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan to promote solidarity and cooperation among the Arab nations in the light of the principles and objectives of the League of Arab States.

H.H. Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan President of the United Arab Emirates issued directions for the implementation of the “Final Communiqué and Declaration of Abu Dhabi” emanating from the Abu Dhabi Symposium organized from the 2nd to the 4th of November, 1997 on the “Future of the Arab Nations and the Role of the League of Arab States” under the auspices of H.H. Sheikh Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates.

The Symposium confirmed the importance of establishing a regional working mechanism (An Office for Coordination and Follow-Up) which would endeavor to highlight the concept of Arab Solidarity in the political, economic, cultural, social and inter-Arab relations. It also aims at contributing to the activation of institutions and organizations of typical national character such as the League of Arab States and other regional groupings for joint Arab action.
Objectives of Zayed Centre:
1.Enhancement and consolidation of the concepts of Arab solidarity in all the political, economic, social and cultural fields amongst the Arab countries.
2.Contribution to the formulation of an Arab Strategic Vision to meet present and future challenges.
3.Consecration and defense of Arab National Identity.
4.Support and promotion of communication and cooperation with the International and regional organizations.
5.Establishment of Arab cultural inter-relationships based on diversity within unity.
Activities at the Centre: The Zayed Center for Coordination and Follow-Up is implementing and developing its objectives and mandate in the light of close liaison and consultations with the League of Arab States. The centre holds symposiums and lectures frequently with global personalities to discuss the Arab issues. The Centre is also involved in the research on various socio-economic subjects.
The other major activities of the Centre include holding lectures, seminars, press conferences and exhibitions. Over the last couple of years, the Centre has been focusing on its major objective: fomenting inter-Arab solidarity politically, economically, socially and culturally. The Centre also sees its role as contributing to the formulation of a common Arab strategy in the face of current global challenges. Other areas of activities include reinforcement of an Arab identity, promotion of the unity of its member states and enhancement of cooperation with regional and international organizations. The Centre has so far published publications on a wide range of topics and also hosted international figures, statesmen, academics, writers and political commentators. Among the prominent figures that the Centre hosted were former U.S. president Jimmy Carter, FAO Director General, Jacques Diouff, and Somali President, Abdul Qadir Salad.
Achievements: As a token of gratitude and allegiance to His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, for his commitment and dedication to his own country as well as to his greater Arab Nation, the Zayed Centre published a biographical encyclopedia depicting the life of the president and also highlighting the major landmarks of his leadership. On the occasion of the 35th anniversary of the accession of Sheikh Zayed, the Centre organized an exhibition of rare photographs depicting the ascendancy of His Highness to power as well as his major achievements. The activities conducted by the Centre since its inception won it a trophy of recognition and appreciation from former Arab League Secretary General, Esmat Abdul Majid. The trophy was awarded to H.H. Sheikh Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Centre.

History of the inception of Zayed Centre

1-Approval By The Council Of Ministers: The Council of Ministers approved the establishment of the Zayed Center for Coordination and Follow-Up in its session held on 8/12/1997, after it reviewed the “Abu Dhabi Declaration and the Final Communiqué” issued by the Symposium on “The Future of the Arab Nation and the Role of the League of Arab States” and its decision to establish the Center under the Chairmanship of H.H. Sheikh Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Symposium, and under the umbrella of the League of Arab States.
2- Approval By The League Of Arab States: The Ministerial Council of the League of Arab States, in its 112th Session held in Cairo on 13/9/1999, approved the establishment of the Zayed Center for Coordination and Follow-Up: as an independent political entity, with its Head Quarters in Abu Dhabi, under the Chairmanship of H.H. Sheikh Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
3-Endorsement By The Organization Of The Islamic Conference: The Organization of the Islamic Conference welcomed the announcement to establish the Zayed Center for Coordination and Follow-Up during its conference held in Senegal in November 1997, and the Final Communiqué of the Abu Dhabi Symposium was distributed to the member countries, in the light of the decisions issued in that Symposium.
4- Endorsement By The Organization Of African Unity: The Organization of African Unity endorsed the establishment of the Zayed Center for Coordination and Follow-Up. It considered the establishment of the Center as a significant tributary to Arab Joint Action which would consolidate the solidarity of Arab efforts at the regional, African and International levels. The then Chairman of the O.A.U. H.H. Abdu Diouf, confirmed in his letter to H.H. Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Zayed Center for Coordination and Follow-Up, that he would give his personal attention to the implementation of the recommendations of the said communiqué, which are identical to the objectives and principles of Arab and African cooperation and solidarity, and which are commensurate with the interests of the Islamic Nation.