Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, inaugurated the Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Gallery for Europe and the Middle East, at the British Museum in London.
The gallery’s opening follows an agreement signed last year by the Department of Culture and Tourism — Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and the British Museum, in recognition of the late founding father’s support for culture in the UAE and worldwide

The ceremony was attended by Noura Bint Mohammad Al Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development; Zaki Nusseibeh, Minister of State; Mohammad Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi; Saif Saeed Ghobash, Undersecretary of DCT Abu Dhabi; Sulaiman Hamid Al Mazroui, UAE Ambassador to the UK; Hartwig Fisher, Director of the British Museum; Patrick Moody, UK Ambassador to the UAE; and Sir Richard Lambert, chairman of the British Museum.
Shaikh Abdullah was also given a briefing of some of the exhibited items in the hall. Fisher presented a memorial gift to the top diplomat, a book titled <Masterpieces of the British Museum> which reviews the history of the famous museum.
Shaikh Abdullah pointed out the significance of naming the gallery after the late Shaikh Zayed, in the 100th year of his birth, saying it reflects international recognition of the late leader’s efforts in establishing the UAE Federation, enhancing its position on the international scene through cultural diplomacy, and supporting the documentation of history and protection of cultural heritage.

“The naming of one of the British Museum’s important galleries after our late father, Shaikh Zayed, is to honour his tireless efforts to provide welfare for all and support the growth of cultural discourse and connection,” said Shaikh Abdullah.
Fisher highlighted the long-standing UAE-British relations. Al Mubarak expressed the importance of UAE-British partnership in culture and highlighted Shaikh Zayed’s achievements in areas of cultural exchange.
The gallery also reflects Shaikh Zayed’s lifelong commitment to developing the desert agricultural system. He also initiated archaeological excavations in the UAE some 50 years ago, besides establishing Al Ain Museum, the country’s first, at the time of the UAE’s formation. The late founding father also constantly strove to cement cultural relations with many countries.
The cooperation between the British Museum and DCT Abu Dhabi began in 2009, when the two entities worked on developing the Zayed National Museum, centrepiece of the Saadiyat Cultural District. The British Museum provided significant support by helping develop the museum’s narrative, collection, and by training its staff.
The agreement provides for the loan of important items from the British Museum’s collection to be displayed at Zayed National Museum’s galleries, as part of its permanent collection and museum narrative.
The British Museum was founded in 1753 in London, and contains eight million objects that represent nearly two million years of human history.