The Secretary General of the Union of Arab Chambers, Dr. Khaled Hanafy, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the President of the Arab World Institute in Paris, Jack Lang, during his stay in the French capital to attend the meetings of the Board of Directors of the Arab-French Joint Chamber of Commerce and the ongoing preparations for the Arab-French Economic Summit scheduled for next December under the patronage of French President Emmanuel Macron, organized by the Union of Arab Chambers and the Arab-French Joint Chamber of Commerce.
The signing took place in the presence of Samir Majoul, President of the Union of Arab Chambers; Rayan Kanaan, Secretary General of the Arab-French Chamber of Commerce; and Dr. Hashim Hussein, Head of the Investment and Technology Promotion Office of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) in Bahrain. The agreement aims to strengthen the partnership between the Union of Arab Chambers and the Arab World Institute (IMA), as well as elevate Arab creativity, innovation, and cultural expression on both the regional and international levels.
Dr. Khaled Hanafy noted that, in recognition of the significant contribution of the Arab World Institute Design Prize in showcasing Arab designers’ talents and highlighting the role of design in shaping the cultural and economic landscape in the Arab world, the Union of Arab Chambers and the Arab World Institute will work on establishing a cooperation framework aimed at strengthening and expanding the scope and impact of the prize.
Dr. Hanafy revealed that “the purpose of the Memorandum of Understanding is to promote the IMA Design Prize across the Arab world by mobilizing the Union of Arab Chambers’ extensive network of chambers of commerce and business communities, in addition to supporting and building the capacities of Arab entrepreneurs through workshops and knowledge-exchange initiatives offered by the Arab World Institute, the Union of Arab Chambers, and partner institutions.”
He stressed that, through this agreement, the Union of Arab Chambers and the Arab World Institute will work on strengthening connections between the institute, leading companies, investors, and sponsors, with the aim of securing financial support that ensures the sustainability and growth of the prize. This will be accompanied by organizing joint events, exhibitions, discussion sessions, and forums to highlight and emphasize the importance of cultural and economic cooperation in the region and globally.
He concluded by saying that the Union of Arab Chambers and the Arab World Institute in Paris, through this cooperation, will work to enhance the standing of the Arab World Institute Design Prize as a leading platform to celebrate Arab creativity, while ensuring its sustainability and expanding its reach and international resonance.
It is noteworthy that the Arab World Institute is an institution established under French law, created primarily as a tool for introducing and promoting Arab culture. Founded in 1980, the institute was established through an agreement between 18 Arab countries and France to serve as a foundation for developing knowledge about the Arab world and to foster in-depth research on its language, cultural, and spiritual values. It also aims to encourage exchanges and cooperation between France and the Arab world, particularly in the fields of science and technology, to contribute to strengthening relations between the Arab world and Europe.
Today, the institute is considered a true cultural bridge between France and the Arab world. The Arab World Institute strives to achieve three objectives: first, to develop the study of the Arab world in France and deepen the understanding of its culture, civilization, and language, as well as its efforts towards development; second, to encourage cultural exchange and promote communication and cooperation between France and the Arab world, particularly in the fields of science and technology; and third, to contribute in this way to strengthening relations between France and the Arab world by enhancing ties between Arabs and Europe.
