Dubai, UAE, 26 November 2025: His Excellency Mohammed Ahmed Al Murr, Chairman of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Library Foundation, welcomed Her Excellency Tuula Johanna Yrjola, Ambassador of the Republic of Finland to the UAE, at the Mohammed Bin Rashid Library, in the presence of His Excellency Mohammed Salem AlMazrooei, Board Member at the Foundation.
During the meeting, both sides explored the growing importance of integrating human intelligence with artificial intelligence as the defining language of the modern era. They emphasized that humanity has always been the driving force behind intellectual and artistic revolutions, and that technological progress ultimately mirrors human imagination and accumulated knowledge. The discussion underscored that the future of culture and knowledge will rely on a balanced, human-centred approach—one where technology serves ideas, and the human role as the core engine of creativity, innovation, and meaning-making is reaffirmed.
Al Murr highlighted the UAE’s pride in its strong relations with the Republic of Finland, particularly in cultural fields rich in human heritage. He praised Finland’s distinguished cultural landscape, including landmark libraries in Helsinki such as the Oodi Library—renowned for its modern design and creative energy—and the National Library of Finland, a pillar of the European intellectual tradition and a reflection of the country’s progressive vision.
For her part, Yrjola expressed deep appreciation for the UAE’s development model, calling it an international example of progress and innovation. She commended the robust UAE–Finland relationship, which spans fifty years, and affirmed both nations’ shared commitment to expanding cultural and artistic cooperation in the years ahead. She also expressed her admiration for the Mohammed Bin Rashid Library’s architectural design and pioneering role, noting how it redefines the concept of a library by serving as a dynamic hub for knowledge, creativity, and the arts.
Al Murr then accompanied Yrjola on a tour of the Treasures of the Library Exhibition—one of the library’s main permanent exhibitions—where she viewed rare manuscripts and books representing a rich heritage of global civilisations. The tour also included an overview of the latest services and facilities available to visitors, researchers, and students across the library’s various specialized sublibraries.
At the conclusion of the visit, Al Murr presented Yrjola with a copy of his latest publication, Madagascar: Coasts and Boats, a photographic and literary work documenting the island’s landscapes. He also gifted her the book Umm Kulthum in Abu Dhabi, which recounts the legendary singer’s historic visit to the capital in the 1970s.
