Zayed bin Sultan bin Khalifa welcomes members of the Emirati-Swiss Friendship Forum 2012

The meeting discussed issues which will be addressed during the third edition of the Emirati-Swiss Friendship Forum, which is scheduled at Zayed University on November 11 in the presence of the Co-Honorary Chairmen His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Advisor to His Highness the President of UAE, and HE Pascal Couchepin, the Former Swiss President.This year's Forum will focus on Water Sustainability for Future Generations.

Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, reviewed the programme with HE the Ambassador of Switzerland to the UAE, and praised the efforts done by the Organizing Committee and members of the Advisory Board to prepare this important event. He believes that the Forum will strengthen ties of friendship and cooperation between the UAE and Switzerland in various scientific, economic and cultural fields.

He emphasized the keenness of His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, to support the objectives of the Forum in general and in particular to strengthen the bilateral relations between the two countries in the economic, educational and cultural sectors. As well as the participation in the Emirati-Swiss Friendship Forum events, which are organized by the two countries alternately.

Sheikh Zayed listened to a number of practical proposals on the agenda of the third Forum and the development of projects and initiatives that will promote economic cooperation relations, trade and tourism between the two countries.

He stressed that this Forum will contribute to the development of relations between the UAE and Switzerland through the communication of scientific and cultural cooperation with the future generations of both countries in particular. He praised the keen leadership of both countries to have developed economic, trade and investment relations, tourism and educational growth throughout the years.

And expressed His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan's keenness to establish the Swiss Emirati Friendship Forum, to promote development in the science, research and technology sectors and transfer Swiss knowledge to the UAE. Not forgetting important and vital issues such as the environment, water and health areas, in which Switzerland handles with great progress.

He said, "We look forward to working through the Forum on further opportunities in areas of Green technology and saving the environment, as well as health care and support projects that focus on culture, sports, arts and tourism."

He noted the importance of the Forum to establish new horizons for students in the United Arab Emirates and Switzerland especially in the development of research and inventions. Students and universities of both countries will participate in the UAE-Swiss Research Day, organized by EPFL and Zayed University highlighting this year again the importance of placing the young generation of future leaders at the heart of key strategic issues. They will participate in this event to learn methods of scientific research of Swiss universities and institutes, and also participate in workshops with Swiss counterparts on ways of how to transfer and employ creativity and innovation to the society and the economy.

The Forum expects to witness over 500 businessmen and women, students and researchers from both countries during the Opening Ceremony.