UAE is an oasis of tolerance, well-being: Japan PM

Dubai - Abe also fondly remembered his visit to the UAE back in 2013

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe praised the UAE and its leaders for initiating a platform where vital and innovative government policies are discussed and where diversity and tolerance are promoted.
In his televised speech from Tokyo at the 5th World Government Summit (WGS) in Dubai on Sunday, Abe said the UAE, through the years, has been a role model of tolerance and moderation and this has brought about peace and prosperity in the country.
Abe also fondly remembered his visit to the UAE back in 2013 where he saw firsthand how people of different backgrounds and ethnicity co-exist. He added that the country is ahead of the curve when it comes to tolerance and people's well-being by establishing the Ministries for Tolerance and Happiness.
"The UAE is a world pioneer and I express my deep admiration for the country as an oasis of tolerance," said Abe, who also thanked the organisers of the Summit for selecting Japan as this year's guest country.
Abe added that both the UAE and Japan are at the forefront of showcasing to the world the merits of peace and prosperity, as the UAE will hold the World Expo in 2020 while Japan will host Summer Olympics and Paralympics in the same year.
After Abe's speech, Japan's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Kentaro Sonoura also addressed the Summit.
Sonoura praised Dubai for "building an open society and one that has shown progress without relying exclusively on oil."
The Japanese foreign minister also shared the experiences of his own country that has risen from the ashes of World War II to become a world economic superpower by investing heavily in educaiton and fostering innovation.
"Japan has produced 16 Nobel prize winners in the field of science in this century," said Sonoura. He also mentioned that in 2015 His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, awarded an Osaka University professor for his work on humanoid robot.
Sonoura said the UAE is on the right track of leading the technological revolution. He also advised on how the government can move forward. "The government should create a legal and social environment that fosters innovation. There should be no no legal impediments or barriers for inventors. (Moreover) the government must conduct regulatory reforms to accelerate the path for technological advancement," he said.
Sonoura also noted the strong relations between the UAE and Japan. "Dubai host the biggest business communiyt in the region while some Emirati students are enrolled in Japanese schools in Abu Dhabi," he said.
angel@khaleejtimes.com