H.E. Prof. Jamal Sanad Al-Suwaidi, Director General of the Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research (ECSSR) accepted the King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Award for Translation, in its 9^thedition, 2018, in the Institutions category. The award is recognition of the ECSSR’s great efforts in scientific and cultural fields, as well as for the Center’s commitment to continue its positive impact on knowledge and research; nationally, regionally and internationally. His Excellency accepted the Award on behalf of the ECSSR during a ceremony on Wednesday, January 29, 2020, in the Saudi Arabian capital of Riyadh. 

The ECSSR’s achievement of the King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Award for Translation, whose winners in the Institutions category were announced at the beginning of December 2019, is evidence of the Center’s status in the regional and global academic publishing sector, particularly in terms of translated works from, and into, Arabic. These works enhance cross-cultural communication, and enrich the Arabic library with sources of knowledge that support global development programs and plans. 

H.E. Prof. Jamal Sanad Al-Suwaidi expressed his pride at the ECSSR winning the Award, which is an addition to a proud roster of awards received by the Center. His Excellency highlighted that the Award is of particular importance as it pays tribute to the late King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz al Saud (may God rest his soul in peace), who was known for his concern for scientific and cultural issues, and his keen interest in entrenching Saudi-UAE relations in all areas. 

His Excellency also voiced his great pleasure in visiting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, given the deepening social ties and solid fraternal relations between the people of both countries. He said: “We belong to the same fabric, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has its place in the heart and mind of every UAE citizen, and vice versa. This Kingdom is growing stronger and stronger every day.” 

His Excellency also cited the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan (may God rest his soul in peace), who once described the nature of the Saudi-UAE relationship as follows: “The UAE stands firm with Saudi Arabia. We stand as one man, we help each other and believe that we share the same destiny.” 

This was echoed by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces (may God protect him), when he said: “The UAE and Saudi Arabia are partners in the same trench, facing surrounding challenges. The aim that unites us is the security of Saudi Arabia and the UAE, as well as the stability of the region. We are unified by our destiny and future.”

The King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz International Award for Translation was launched at the King Abdulaziz Public Library in Riyadh in October 2006. It is awarded for translated work from, or into, Arabic, with the aim of promoting intercultural dialogue. It also aims to introduce Arab cultural, creative and scientific contributions worldwide, and to build cultural bridges between different cultures through the translation of scientific and literary works. 

The Award enhances knowledge, based on rules of integrity, neutrality and objectivity in six categories: the Translation Award for Institutions, the Translation Award in Natural Science from Arabic into other languages, the Translation Award in Natural Science from other languages into Arabic, the Translation Award in Humanities and Social Sciences from other languages into Arabic, the Translation Award in Humanities and Social Sciences from Arabic into other languages, and The Translation Award for Individual Efforts in Translation.