Luis Miguel Merlano Hoyos Bids Farewell to His Role as Colombian Ambassador to the UAE: A Journey Marked by Gratitude and Accomplishments
“**Only one excess is advisable in the world: the excess of gratitude.**” – Jean de la Bruyère
With these words, Luis Miguel Merlano Hoyos marked the closing of a significant chapter in his professional life. After serving three years as the Ambassador of Colombia to the United Arab Emirates, he reflects on a period of profound transformation, expressing immense gratitude to all who played a role in his journey.
Merlano Hoyos begins by thank those who trusted him with the responsibility to represent Colombia. He extends special appreciation to his wife and children for giving him the time and support necessary to serve his country and community effectively. His embassy and consulate teams also receive heartfelt thanks for believing in the mission and consistently going the extra mile.
He acknowledges the Colombian community in the UAE for their patience and trust in his action plan, and for standing by as it was brought to fruition. Diplomats and embassies from other countries accredited in the Emirates are recognized for their spirit of dialogue, collaboration, and shared vision. In particular, he gives special gratitude to the Government of the United Arab Emirates for their openness, trust, and “extraordinary hospitality,” which he credits as a cornerstone of every achievement during his tenure.
Merlano Hoyos emphasizes that the advances in Colombia-UAE bilateral relations over the past three years have been rooted in dialogue, pragmatism, and friendship, and he notes that the countries are now closer than ever. He underscores the importance of building bridges and highlights that none of these achievements would have been possible without a host country that shares such a philosophy.
He thanks all who crossed his path—whether they supported him, presented challenges, or offered opportunities for growth. Every experience, he says, contributed to his professional and personal strengthening.
Summing up the scope of his work, Merlano Hoyos notes it would be impossible to encapsulate the countless activities supported or managed by the embassy team. Nonetheless, he points to several key milestones:
- Support for over 200 business missions between Colombia and the UAE
- Driving the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA)
- Collaborative work on initiatives with IRENA
- Facilitating the arrival of Emirates Airlines in Colombia
- Assisting companies such as G42, Presight, National Pulse Group, AIQ, Burjeel Holdings, ADQ, ADNOC Group, and NAFFCO Group in strengthening ties with Colombia
He stresses that these accomplishments were made possible through collective effort and “countless, satisfying days of hard work”.
In concluding his message, Merlano Hoyos refrains from saying goodbye. Instead, he expresses gratitude once more and reaffirms his unwavering commitment to Colombia—a commitment that, he promises, will continue to grow from any sector of the economy he lends his expertise. “From this land that opened its doors to me, and is now also my home, I will continue to build bridges between Colombia, this region, and the world. The best is yet to come. See you on the road.” Merlano Hoyos ends with a final, simple message: “**Thank you. Thank you, Colombia.**”
Team V.4-LKDN-UAE
