Former US President Bill Clinton has hailed the social and cultural harmony that Dubai enjoys and lauded the cultural boom that the UAE is witnessing.

His remarks came during a meeting with the UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, on Wednesday.

They discussed a number of issues, from humanitarian concerns to politics to the current situation in the Arab region.

Clinton also shared the success story of Dubai, which resulted in excellent economic and investment diversity. Sheikh Mohammed presented an English copy of his book “My Vision” to Bill Clinton, which depicts Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid’s visions and personal experience in politics, economy, culture, equestrianism, in addition to Sheikh Mohammed’s positive future outlook on his country and its people.

In a separate event, during an opening session with American University of Dubai students, Bill Clinton said, “Dubai’s model, today more than ever, is an inspiration to many countries in the Middle East.”

“Places that have bounced back quickly from the economic crisis are those who have an operative model which creates cooperation across all sectors of society, races, religions and ethnic groups, where people find a way to celebrate and are proud of their differences and work together in shared responsibility”, explained Clinton.

“That is what Dubai and the UAE represent and I think you are in a strong position to win the bid for Expo 2020 because Dubai’s model of shared prosperity is more important today than ever and an inspiration to many countries in the Middle East.”

Students took turns asking questions on peace in the Middle East, the conflict in Syria and North Korea, as well as the President’s view on Africa as a developing continent.