Samir Majoul, President of the Union of Arab Chambers, met with Jack Lang, Director of the Arab World Institute in Paris, 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 meeting was attended by Dr. Khaled Hanafy, Secretary General 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 UNIDO in Bahrain. Discussions focused on ways to strengthen joint cooperation, particularly in the cultural and economic fields.
The President of the Union witnessed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Union of Arab Chambers, represented by its Secretary General, Dr. Khaled Hanafy, and the Arab World Institute in Paris, represented by its President, Jack Lang. 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 the regional and international levels.
The signing of the partnership agreement comes 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 developing a framework for cooperation aimed at strengthening and expanding the scope and impact of the prize.
The purpose of the Memorandum of Understanding is also to promote the IMA Design Prize throughout the Arab world by mobilizing the Union of Arab Chambers’ wide 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.
Through the agreement, both parties will work on strengthening connections between the institute, leading companies, investors, and sponsors to secure the financial support that ensures the sustainability and growth of the prize. They will also organize joint events, exhibitions, discussion sessions, and forums to highlight and affirm the importance of cultural and economic cooperation in the region and worldwide. The Union of Arab Chambers and the Arab World Institute in Paris will, through this collaboration, enhance the standing of the Arab World Institute Design Prize as a leading platform to celebrate Arab creativity, ensuring its sustainability and expanding its reach and international influence.
It is noteworthy that the Arab World Institute in Paris is an institution established under French law, created primarily to introduce and promote 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. It seeks 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.
