Discussion with Ambassador of Denmark Ole E. Moesby
According to the Gallup World Happiness Report 2020, Denmark and Saudi Arabia are among the world’s happiest countries. In your opinion, what are the main factors that affect happiness?
Comfortable citizens are happy citizens. I think some of the main reasons for Denmark and Saudi Arabia’s impressive rankings on the World Happiness Index is the fact that people feel comfortable in the two respective countries.
Both countries have easy access to schools, educations and jobs as well as a relatively high BNP per capita, which can allow more freedom to experiment and explore in daily life.
Both Denmark and Saudi Arabia have an increasing focus on healthy living and converting conventional farming, energy and food products into more sustainable, renewable and organic solutions. This can also contribute to a happier and healthier society.
Please, discuss the culturally determined phenomenon of trust among Danes. What is special about Danish society that allows people to trust each other?
Denmark has been ranked as the least corrupt country in the world for five consecutive years, which lays a solid foundation for having a trustworthy society. Danes are usually positive minded. We often find ourselves having trust in people we do not know, as well as believing in the best in people. This view on people and society only continues because it is rare to experience reasons to show distrust.
How do you practice “hygge” (coziness and informal sociability) in Saudi Arabia?
“Hygge” can be practiced everywhere in the world and is depending on the vibe, mood and setting of the activity. I find “hygge” in piecing together a puzzle at home, or in watching a good movie with my family and friends, or during an iftar dinner with my staff members.
“Hygge” can disguise itself in a never-ending variety of activities but if you are a Dane, you will always know how to evoke it (laughing).
I can see that you are having a healthy lifestyle, riding a bicycle to Oud Square every morning and making great jokes… What is the secret of aging gracefully?
I walk 10-15 kilometers in the Diplomatic Quarter every morning before work. This gives me time to restart my mind, breathe fresh air and improve my mood and mental health before going to work. I can personally feel the consequences in my mind if there has been a day where I had to skip my walk, and perhaps my co-workers can feel it as well.
I also walk and ride my bike a lot in Denmark, and have always done. Physical activities have always played a big role in my life. In particular, tennis is one of the sports that I have enjoyed the most throughout my life.
As for my “great jokes” – which is a very subjective opinion, I think – it can only be a combination of growing up in a Danish culture full of sarcasm and working abroad during all of my adulthood, where I have learned how to adapt to a more universal kind of humor.
How would you define the current state of bilateral relations between Saudi Arabia and Denmark? What achievements would you like to highlight, and what challenges remain?
On February 1st 2021, Denmark and Saudi Arabia marked the 46th anniversary of diplomatic relations. Denmark and Saudi Arabia share strong bilateral relations both historical, political and commercial.
Denmark and Saudi Arabia have ambitions in the field of renewable energy. Renewable energy is a major priority for Denmark and it has a prominent position in Saudi Vision 2030. Denmark aims to cover 100% of the national energy demand by renewable energy by 2030 and Saudi Arabia aims to cover 50% in 2030.
The Danish company Vestas will deliver wind turbines for a 400 MW wind farm in Dumat Al-Jandal. The wind energy farm will become Saudi Arabia’s first utility-scale wind power source. I am excited to follow this development and look forward to witnessing the Danish wind turbines spin in Northern Saudi Arabia.
Aside from Vestas, several prominent Danish companies are well established in Saudi Arabia and have been operating in the Kingdom and Gulf region for many years.
Since 1975, the Danish royal family has made two official visits to Saudi Arabia. Can you discuss the importance of strong ties between the two monarchs in strengthening and expanding bilateral and multilateral cooperation?
The Royal Family of Denmark has completed two official visits to Saudi Arabia. The first visit was made in 1984, by Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II. While in 2016, Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary conducted second official visit to Saudi Arabia. These visits have supported the already prolific ties between Denmark and Saudi Arabia and contributed to laying a solid foundation for bilateral relations and providing opportunities to develop engagements further.
What is the mission of Danish Trade Council in Riyadh? How do you foresee its contribution to Saudi Vision 2030 in terms of investment opportunities for Danish entrepreneurs?
The Danish Trade Council Riyadh is a commercial team specialized in key sectors assisting Danish companies in the regional market.
Vision 2030 is a major reform plan for Saudi Arabia. I am incredibly excited to witness the further development within renewable energy, focusing on healthy living, organic production, the tourism industry, foreign investments, and so much more throughout the coming years. These are all areas where Denmark is already a global frontrunner. Therefore, implementing Danish solutions and expertise to the many new initiatives in Saudi Arabia can contribute to successful and sustainable development.
Denmark and Saudi Arabia continue to value their traditions. What will be your remarks on the importance of traditional values specifically for the young generation?
The different traditions in a country are what helps to create a unique culture. Traditions might change over time or disappear entirely but will then be replaced by new norms and views, which will shape the younger and future generations in a more modern version of the one we live in now.
Saudi Arabia is a country full of traditions that have lived since its beginning, and these traditions contribute to the beauty of the country and have a value that I would be sad to see disappearing.
According to the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), tourism has become one of the fastest-growing sectors of the economy worldwide. Why should Saudis visit Denmark, and why should Danes visit Saudi Arabia?
Saudi Arabia is implementing several initiatives to promote and strengthen the tourism industry. The mega projects are currently under construction, but will most probably attract tourists from all over the world once they are finished.
During my time in Saudi Arabia, I have travelled a lot around the Kingdom and seen so much beautiful nature and varying climates. I have visited the cooler climate and green mountains in the Asir region, the humid and white-sand beaches in the East and West, as well as Al-Ula, Madinah, Jazan, Tabuk and Qassim.
I have already brought several Danish friends and family members to Saudi Arabia because I want them to have some of the same amazing experiences I have had here. So far, they have been just as impressed as I am.
Saudis should visit Denmark if they want to visit a country in the heart of the North full of tourist attractions. They will discover immense entertainment possibilities; a cooler climate with long and cosy summer evenings where the sun only sets for a few hours, and winter days with ice-skating and hot chocolate in front of the fire. Denmark has countless forests, islands, lakes, dynamic cities, a unique culture. Travelers are never more than 50 kilometres away from the sea.
As a career diplomat, you have served in America, Europe, Africa, and Asia. How does each country and culture influence you, as an ambassador and as an ordinary Danish citizen? What new have you discovered in Saudi Arabia?
It is always a fantastic and enlightening experience to start a posting in a new country.
My time as Head of Department for Africa at the Danish MFA, JPO at UNICEF Tanzania, and Ambassador of Denmark to Zimbabwe, Angola, Botswana and Congo especially provided me with the opportunity to explore the majority of African countries, which are experiences and memories I will never forget.
In Saudi Arabia, I have discovered how one country can offer so much variety of nature and culture from North to South and East to West. I have discovered a whole new country, which until recently has been closed for tourism and I see why they would want to keep all this beauty to themselves (laughing). However, I am pleased that the Saudi government has decided to make it possible for tourists to explore the country. In my past 3.5 years in Saudi Arabia, I have also experienced great political reforms, the G20 Summit, Camel Festival, globally renowned concerts, boxing matches and Formula-E races, and strong ambitions in the green and sustainable Vision 2030.
On the subject of multilateral cooperation. What will be your reflection on the concept of the Diplomatic Quarter (DQ)? How does DQ contribute to bilateral relations with Saudi Arabia and multilateral cooperation with other countries?
DQ offers many great opportunities to socialize with colleagues from all parts of the world, whether it is a dinner in one of the many restaurants, or a working lunch/coffee at Oud Square or Al-Kindi.
There are also activities that bring people together in the DQ such as the Farmer Market, exhibitions, events, or the World Diabetes Day marathon/cycling, which the Danish Embassy co-organized in 2019 and 2020.
What is the daily routine of the Ambassador of Denmark in the DQ? Any favorite places?
My morning walk in the DQ followed by a coffee at Starbucks is my daily routine, which I enjoy every day in Saudi Arabia and Denmark. Aside from Starbucks, I like to explore the new cafes and restaurants in DQ. I am truly impressed by the rapid development and growth of this community.
Photo Credit Mohammad Salman
