EDA’s role in boosting UAE’s status in diplomacy, int’l relations hailed

Abu Dhabi / Emirates Business

HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Emirates Diplomatic Academy (EDA) lauded the academy for its significant role in enhancing the UAE’s achievements in supporting diplomacy and international relations. He also stressed the importance of developing co-operation with leading academic institutions worldwide.
The minister chaired the sixth EDA Board of Trustees meeting on Thursday and made his remarks.
“In light of the changes taking place in the political landscapes around the world, the UAE, more than ever before, seeks to build its national diplomatic capacities that can contribute to shaping the UAE’s future in a positive and constructive manner and also seeks to represent the UAE leadership’s vision, which aims to promote international peace and security, to the outside world,” the minister said.
“We perceive the Emirates Diplomatic Academy as a maturing international institution and today the academy is pursuing a clear strategic path to further strengthen our position and our standing in the world as a collaborative global player,” he stressed.
“The level of diplomatic knowledge and skills of the academy’s students and alumni confirms that the EDA is capable of preparing competent diplomats who can face global challenges in the future, and are capable of finding strategic solutions for issues of concern,” he added.
HH Sheikh Abdullah also praised the EDA’s drive to empower young Emiratis and provide them with the expertise and resources that enhance their understanding of international relations in the context of the UAE’s diplomatic objectives empowering the country on regional and international levels. He further highlighted that the EDA works relentlessly to attract the new generation of UAE nationals to the diplomatic field so that they can identify strategic solutions to international issues and future challenges by collaborating with global players and move towards the fulfilment of its overall goals – ensuring peace and security, and achieving sustainable development worldwide.
During the EDA Board of Trustees meeting, HH Sheikh Abdullah discussed the future visions of the academy and its initiatives planned for the Year of Giving. Also on the agenda were the latest developments in 2017 academic activities and other academic and administrative affairs. He also reviewed the post-graduate diploma and the master’s programme as the latter will be launched by the EDA in 2017.
The academy also develops international case studies on topics related to general and specialised diplomacy of the 21st century, sustainable development, climate change, nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, renewable energy, and peace and security at regional and international levels.
HH Sheikh Abdullah stressed the importance of the Year of Giving as an ideal opportunity to start the New Year in an altruistic spirit. He said that the EDA is committed to nurturing a culture of giving among the academy’s community and empowering it to make positive changes while representing the UAE across the globe.
Members of the EDA’s Board of Trustees also reviewed the academy’s annual report and notable accomplishments for 2016, as well as the recommendations of the fifth meeting and practical steps taken to implement those.
Those present at the meeting included Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of State; Ali Mohammad Hammad Al Shamsi, Deputy Secretary-General of the Supreme National Security Council; Omar Saif Ghobash, the UAE Ambassador to Russia; Lana Zaki Nusseibeh, Permanent Representative of the UAE to the United Nations, and Mohamed Issa Abushahab AlSuwaidi, the UAE Ambassador to Brussels.
During his visit to the EDA, HH Sheikh Abdullah viewed the design proposals for the academy’s new building, inspired by the UAE’s open, collaborative and outward-looking culture. The designs were submitted as part of a competition that had seen the participation of national and international architecture companies.
Speaking on the academy’s action plan, Bernardino Leon, President of EDA, said, “We aim to provide our students with the highest quality education, training and research programmes that help them understand the opportunities and challenges of the 21st century, and equip them to assume key roles in the UAE’s diplomatic sector and to become qualified diplomats on an international scale.
“We started the year 2017 with specialised programmes and training sessions, specifically designed to meet the requirements of the modern age. These include training in digital diplomacy, diplomatic protocol, bilateral and multilateral negotiations, country analysis, consular diplomacy, etiquette and other programmes that enrich academic life and enhance knowledge,” he added.