Abu Dhabi, 16 November 2021 – The Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC), part of the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), has signed an agreement with the renowned, Paris-based Institut du Monde Arabe (IMA) to support, promote and connect Arab culture with others around the world.

The agreement is in line with the directives of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, Ruler of Abu Dhabi and Supreme Commander of the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces, issued in January 2021, to allocate a grant to the IMA to promote the Arabic language and enhance its position globally.

“Our strategic objectives at the Arabic Language Centre are aligned with the UAE leadership’s directives to rally efforts and work collaboratively towards further developing the Arabic language, promoting it across all sectors, and positioning Arabic as a primary medium for cultural communication with others around the world,” said HE Dr. bin Tamim. “A cultural institution of global renown and repute, the Institut du Monde Arabe is the ideal partner to support our efforts to promote the Arabic language around the world and propel it to the forefront of the cultural, creative and academic sectors. We are confident this agreement will result in numerous landmark projects and initiatives to encourage the use of the Arabic language, particularly in France and Europe, while also granting us access to global expertise in the field.”

HE Jack Lang, President of the IMA, said: “Thanks to this close collaboration, our two institutions will bolster the widespread utilisation and promotion of the Arabic language - in France, the United Arab Emirates and the world - as a universal language of knowledge, communication, culture and creativity. This tremendous cooperation with the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre particularly with the CIMA Arabic Language certification created by the IMA in 2018, will greatly contribute to the implementation of the Institut du Monde Arab’s strategy in favor of the magnificent Arabic language.”

The agreement will see the ALC and the IMA collaborate on a list of objectives that serve both entities’ strategies and plans. This includes supporting the International Certificate of Proficiency in Arabic (CIMA) that the institute launched in 2018, which is recognised by international academic institutions and granted to individuals or organisations who pass an Arabic-language understanding and expression proficiency exam.

As part of the agreement, the ALC will also collaborate with the Alliance Française, which oversees the testing centres for the CIMA certificate in the UAE, in order to endorse the exam, record the number of annual applicants and their proficiency levels, and share information regarding key performance indicators.

In addition, the two entities will organise joint events to mark international occasions related to the Arabic language, such as World Arabic Language Day on 18 December each year. Areas of cooperation include exchanging expertise on a wider scale by taking part in conferences, collaborating on publications and programmes, and organising cultural events. The two parties also agreed on a joint action plan to issue reports about the Arabic language and its use in France and Europe.

The IMA is an organisation established under French law in 1980, when 18 Arab countries – including the UAE – reached an agreement with France to create an institution that raises awareness about the Arab world and spearheads research into the region’s language, culture and religious values. The IMA seeks to encourage exchange and collaboration between France and the Arab world, especially in the science and technology sectors, which, in turn, serves to further develop the region’s relations with Europe.

The ALC, operating under DCT Abu Dhabi, was established to enhance cultural exchange and encourage the use of the Arabic language locally and internationally. The Centre’s strategies aim to promote the Arabic language and develop its scientific, academic, cultural and creative aspects. ALC supports Arab talent in writing, translation, publishing, scientific research, audio-visual content creation, and organising book fairs. From its base in the UAE capital of Abu Dhabi, the Centre launches programmes to upskill human resources and build partnerships with leading cultural, academic and technological institutions around the world.

About Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre

The Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre, a decree-law establishment as  part of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, works to support Arabic language development and modernisation through comprehensive strategies and frameworks, enrich the scientific, educational, cultural and creative contributions of the Arabic language, promote Arabic language proficiency and cultural understanding locally and internationally, and support Arab talents in the fields of writing, translation, publishing, scientific research, arts, visual and auditory content creation and organising book fairs. The Centre, from its headquarters in Abu Dhabi, works to realise its foundational vision through dedicated programmes, unparalleled human expertise, and meaningful partnerships with the world’s most prestigious cultural, technical, and academic institutions.

About the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) drives the sustainable growth of Abu Dhabi’s culture and tourism sectors, fuels economic progress, and helps achieve Abu Dhabi’s wider global ambitions. By working in partnership with the organisations that define the emirate’s position as a leading international destination, DCT Abu Dhabi strives to unite the ecosystem around a shared vision of the emirate’s potential, coordinate effort and investment, deliver innovative solutions, and use the best tools, policies, and systems to support the culture and tourism industries.

DCT Abu Dhabi’s vision is defined by the emirate’s heritage, people, and landscape. DCT Abu Dhabi works to enhance Abu Dhabi’s status as a place of authenticity, innovation, and unparalleled experiences, represented by its living traditions of hospitality, pioneering initiatives, and creative thought.