Abdullah bin Zayed opens foreign ministry's 'Diplomatic Club'

Foreign Minister H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan opened this evening the 'Diplomatic Club' at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The club bears the name of the martyr 'Khalifa Al Mubarak', UAE former ambassador to Paris.

The Diplomatic Club is located at the Southern side the ministry premises in the old site of the Emirates Diplomatic Institute. The club's location was built in 1990 and is considered the oldest building in the ministry.

Present were Dr. Anwar bin Mohammed Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Abdullah bin Mohammed Belhaif Al Nuaimi, Minister of Public Works Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Executive Affairs Authority (EAA), Mohammed Mir Al Raisi, Under Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ahmed Al Jermen, Assistant Foreign minister for Political Affairs, Dr. Tariq Ahmed Al Haidan, Assistant Foreign Minister for International Organisations Affairs, Dr. Abdul Rahim Yousif Al Awadhi, Assistant Foreign Minister for Legal Affairs, Faris Al Mazrouei, Assistant Foreign Minister for Security and Military Affairs, Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, Secretary General of the Environment Authority - Abu Dhabi, Mohammed Khalifa Al Mubarak, CEO of Al Dar Properties, ministry staff, Ibrahim Al Mubarak and family of the late Khalifa al Mubarak.

Sheikh Abdullah unveiled the plaque of the club and toured the facilities, built on a 2,459 square meter area and consist of reception, sports halls for men and women, offices and Majlis areas.

Sheikh Abdullah praised the support of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces and their keenness to honour memory of the heroes who devoted their life to the UAE.

"This move to honour an outstanding Emirati personality is an expression of loyalty to that generation who devoted their life for the UAE and who were outspoken in advocating their country in international arenas," he added.

Sheikh Abdullah further said the UAE had always sought "to honour those who left us. Our message to them: We highly value and appreciate your sacrifices."

He also said the late Khalifa Al Mubarak carried the UAE's message to the world during his different tenures and made commendable efforts in establishing strong ties with the countries to which he was posted.

Khaldoon Al Mubarak and other members of Khalifa Al Mubarak family thanked the wise leadership and Sheikh Abdullah for the gesture.

"Naming the building after the late Khalifa Al Mubarak is a clear message by the UAE that the country never forgets the citizens who served it with loyalty," Khaldoon Al Mubarak said.

the building was renovated to serve as a recreational club for the staff that reflects the architectural identity of the main building. The Ministry of Public Works implemented the renovation works at a total cost of Dh 10 million.

On 23rd February, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan ordered naming a main street in Abu Dhabi after the late Khalifa Al Mubarak.

The ministry has a library which is named after the late Saif Ghobash who made great contributions to the country's diplomacy during the early days of UAE establishment.