UAE diplomacy entered a new era with a successful diplomatic track record, distinguished world-class academy

H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Minister and Chairman of the Emirates Diplomatic Academy’s Board of Trustees, stated that the UAE diplomacy has entered a new era with notable achievements that have contributed to strengthening the country’s favourable position in the global foreign policy arena over the course of the last four decades.

Speaking on the sidelines of the first meeting of the Board of Trustees on Tuesday, H.H. Sheikh Abdullah underlined the key role of Emirates Diplomatic Academy (EDA) in realising the country’s aspirations in foreign policy, stating that the EDA will prepare a cadre of highly qualified diplomats capable of effectively supporting the UAE’s foreign policy platform and achieving its national interests.

The meeting, which was chaired by Sheikh Abdullah, witnessed the participation of the Board members, Dr. Anwar bin Mohammed Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of State and Member of the Board of Trustees and Managing Director, Ali Mohammad Hammad Al Shamsi, Deputy Secretary-General at the Supreme National Security Council, Omar Saif Ghobash, Ambassador of the UAE to the Russian Federation, Lana Nusseibeh, Permanent Representative of the UAE to the United Nations, and Mohamed Issa Abushahab, Director of Policy Planning Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA).

The EDA’s Board of Trustees provides the academy with a wide range of experience and expertise, setting up and overseeing the academy's strategic direction. Their key roles and responsibilities include reviewing and approving the policies of the Academy and overseeing their implementation. Other roles include establishing and reviewing new academic programmes and courses of study and degrees, approving the academy’s annual budget, approving and endorsing the incentives and rewards system and determining the academy's organisational structure.

During the first meeting of the EDA’s Board of Trustees, Sheikh Abdullah said the Emirates Diplomatic Academy reflects the vision of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and the directives of Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, that aims to empower UAE nationals by providing them with appropriate training and development opportunities in line with the UAE leadership’s vision which emphasises investment in national human resources to strengthen the nation’s favourable position and fulfil its vision to be at the forefront of nations.

Underlining the fundamental achievements of the UAE’s diplomacy, Sheikh Abdullah stated that the country has successfully managed to communicate its messages on the global level. He said, "We have attained sustained achievements through the support of the country’s leadership in the past years. The recent diplomatic victory which led to the exemption of UAE citizens from the Schengen visa requirement is only the start of a new era of successes that we aim to achieve through highly qualified and trained Emiratis."

He added, "In our continued pursuit of excellence, we encounter new responsibilities. The country’s diplomats should therefore constantly search for innovative ways to meet the national objectives of the UAE, in line with the leadership’s aspirations, to achieve a foreign policy that wins the respect and admiration of the international community at all times."

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of State and Member of the Board of Trustees and Managing Director, said, "The EDA is considered a key pillar within the UAE diplomacy as it is envisaged to assume a dynamic future role in training and developing UAE nationals in order to effectively prepare the next generation of diplomats, who will be able to further solidify our country’s position internationally and protect our national interests. This will be achieved in the coming period by providing trainees with a platform to acquire comprehensive skills, experience and knowledge to excel in their careers and by empowering them to play a central role in supporting the UAE’s foreign policy objectives."

He added, "We express our thanks and appreciation to the UAE’s leadership for their extensive interest in education and in enhancing the capabilities of Emirati human resources and reinforcing their role across all areas. I would like to thank H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed for his keen interest and unconditional support to UAE diplomacy, in addition to his prominent role in achieving the Emirates Diplomatic Academy’s vision, mission and objectives during its founding period as well as in the years to come."

The Board of Trustees' meeting commenced with an overview of EDA’s objectives and a detailed briefing on its various strategic and operational activities, in addition to a comprehensive presentation. The meeting also included a tour of the Academy’s premises and an introduction to EDA faculty and staff members from all departments.

The Board of Trustees also discussed EDA’s future plans and the process of implementing its objectives, vision and mission aimed at making the Academy a recognised centre of excellence in diplomatic capacity development to support the objectives of the UAE’s foreign policy by delivering high impact training and disseminating research and thought leadership. The Board also underscored EDA’s role in empowering government employees engaged in different forms of diplomacy and international relations.