S4:E8 Welcome to Saadiyat Island… HE Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak in conversation with Adrian Ellis

The Three Bells

Our host, Adrian Ellis, speaks to His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chair, Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, on the ambitious plans to position Abu Dhabi as a major tourism and cultural destination – particularly through the Saadiyat Island Cultural District, home to Louvre Abu Dhabi and a host of other world-class cultural institutions set to open their doors in the coming years.

External references:

• Abu Dhabi DCT: https://dct.gov.ae/en/default.aspx
• DCT Museums and Cultural Assets: https://dct.gov.ae/en/what.we.do/culture/museums.aspx
• Saadiyat Cultural District: https://scdabudhabi.ae/en
• Louvre Abu Dhabi: https://www.louvreabudhabi.ae/
• Zayed National Museum: https://zayednationalmuseum.ae/en/
• The Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi: https://abudhabiculture.ae/en/experience/museums/natural-history-museum-abu-dhabi
• teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi: https://abudhabiculture.ae/en/experience/culture-centres/teamlab-phenomena-abu-dhabi
• Guggenheim Abu Dhabi: https://abudhabiculture.ae/en/experience/museums/guggenheim-abu-dhabi
• GCDN Athens Convening: https://gcdn.net/convenings/athens-2024/
• Guardian article: The Parthenon marbles evoke particularly fierce repatriation debates – an archaeologist explains why, dated Nov. 29 2023: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/nov/29/parthenon-marbles-british-museum-european-culture
• Conversation article : The Parthenon marbles evoke particularly fierce repatriation debates – an archaeologist explains why, dated June 7, 2024: https://theconversation.com/the-parthenon-marbles-evoke-particularly-fierce-repatriation-debates-an-archaeologist-explains-why-219152
• Benin bronzes: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benin_Bronzes
• Cambodia tracking down thousands of priceless looted antiquities | 60 Minutes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1DFOGHHcm4
• French president Macron's 2017 speech in Burkina Faso, Africa: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IA1gBuIbrR0&t=160s

His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak Bio

A member of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak is a prominent Emirati leader overseeing the growth of Abu Dhabi’s cultural, entertainment, real estate, and tourism sectors.

In 2016, His Excellency was appointed the Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), where he oversees the preservation of the emirate’s heritage and history whilst inspiring its dynamic, world-leading approach to creating a recognised cultural capital, where culture is a driver of social and economic development.

Mubarak is accountable for ensuring that Abu Dhabi is a top-of-mind destination for all leisure and business travelers, growing Abu Dhabi’s MICE share, and partnering with global IPs to bring the best of international entertainment to the emirate as well as high profile sporting events including F1, NBA, and UFC.

One of the major achievements in Al Mubarak’s journey at DCT Abu Dhabi is the development of Saadiyat Cultural District – a curated destination for inspiration, artistic expression and cultural dialogue, that is currently home to Louvre Abu Dhabi and once finished will house, Zayed National Museum, Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, The Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi and teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi.

Al Mubarak serves as Chairman of Aldar Properties PJSC, the leading real estate developer in Abu Dhabi responsible for some of the most iconic landmarks and pioneering architecture in the emirate, including residential, commercial, and retail assets.

Al Mubarak is Chairman of Miral, the leading creator of immersive experiences in Abu Dhabi, where he has led the transformation of key areas within the emirate, including Yas Island, and has developed strategic partnerships such as the one established with Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi™.

Al Mubarak is the President of the Abrahamic Family House and a member of the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity, where he is joined by international religious leaders, educational scholars, and cultural leaders across the world, to support and spread the values of mutual respect and peaceful coexistence.

Al Mubarak serves as Vice-Chair on the Foundation Board of ALIPH, the international alliance for the protection of heritage in conflict areas.

Al Mubarak is a graduate of Northeastern University (Boston, USA), with a double major in Economics and Political Science.