Abdullah bin Zayed: UAE diplomacy has entered a new era with a successful diplomatic track record and a distinguished world-class academy

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Abdullah bin Zayed: UAE diplomacy has entered a new era with a successful diplomatic track record and a distinguished world-class academy

His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of Emirates Diplomatic Academys Board of Trustees, has stated that UAE diplomacy has entered a new era with notable achievements that have contributed to strengthening the countrys 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 meeting on Tuesday, June 23, His Highness underlined the key role of Emirates Diplomatic Academy (EDA) in realising the countrys aspirations in foreign policy stating that EDA will prepare a cadre of highly qualified diplomats capable of effectively supporting the UAEs foreign policy platform and achieving its national interests.

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

EDAs Board of Trustees provides the Academy with a wide range of experience and expertise, setting up and overseeing the strategic direction of the Academy. 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 Academys annual budget, approving and endorsing the incentives and rewards system and determining the organisational structure of the Academy.

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

Underlining the fundamental achievements of the UAEs diplomacy, His Highness Sheikh Abdullah stated that the country has successfully managed to communicate its messages on the global level. His Highness said: We have attained sustained achievements through the support of the countrys 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.

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

Speaking on the occasion, His Excellency Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of State and Member of the Board of Trustees and Managing Director said: EDA is considered a key pillar within 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 countrys 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 empower them to play a central role in supporting the UAEs foreign policy objectives.

His Excellency added: We express our thanks and appreciation to the UAEs leadership for their extensive interest in education and in enhancing the capabilities of Emirati human resources and reinforcing their role across all areas, and I would like to thank His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan for his close interest and unconditional support to UAE diplomacy, in addition to his prominent role in achieving the Emirates Diplomatic Academys 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 EDAs 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 Academys premises and an introduction to EDA faculty and staff members from all departments.

The Board of Trustees also discussed EDAs 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 UAEs foreign policy by delivering high impact training and disseminating research and thought leadership. The Board also underscored EDAs role in empowering government employees engaged in different forms of diplomacy and international relations.