Abu Dhabi: Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, today opened the first Intercultural and Interreligious Dialogue Forum, organised by the Ministry of Tolerance and Coexistence in partnership with the Embassy of the Republic of Austria in the UAE as part of the National Festival of Tolerance at the Abrahamic Family House in Abu Dhabi. The opening of the forum was attended by Afraa Al Sabri, Director-General of the Ministry of Tolerance and Coexistence; Ambassador Christoph Thun-Hohenstein, Deputy Minister for Cultural Affairs at the Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs, Austria; and Etienne Berchtold, Ambassador of the Republic of Austria to the UAE.
According to Emirates News Agency, Abdulla Al Shehhi, Acting Executive Director of the Abrahamic Family House, highlighted the strong and long-standing relations between the UAE and Austria, which are based on the Strategic Partnership Agreement signed in July 2021. He stated that the Intercultural and Inte
rreligious Dialogue aligns with the strategic goals, contributing to peace and tolerance, enhancing mutual understanding, and building bridges between the two nations.
Alexander Rieger, Head of Dialogue Unit at the Austrian Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs, addressed the forum, emphasizing Austria’s use of foreign policy instruments to promote intercultural and interreligious dialogue and peaceful coexistence. Ambassador Christoph Thun-Hohenstein reiterated Austria’s long-standing tradition in fostering dialogue, emphasizing tolerance and mutual acceptance as fundamental components for peaceful coexistence.
The forum included three dialogue sessions focusing on tolerance and moral integration, enhancing understanding between religions, and empowering youth through human-oriented digital knowledge. Ambassador Etienne Berchtold noted Austria’s participation in the event as part of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of UAE-Austria bilateral relations, emphasizing the Comprehensive S
trategic Partnership developed since 2021 that encourages people-to-people exchanges.
Ambassador Berchtold also highlighted Austria’s historical commitment to dialogue, mentioning the recognition of Islam in 1912 and the establishment of the Task Force Dialogue of Cultures and Religions in 2007. He emphasized the inclusion of both state and non-state participants in dialogues, known as Track 1.5 Diplomacy, and the importance of involving high-ranking religious representatives in the dialogue sessions in Abu Dhabi.
The Austrian Ambassador concluded by stressing the qualitative leap in bilateral relations between the UAE and Austria and the goal of promoting exchange across all societal layers to strengthen dialogue networks and share best practices with active civil societies.