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H.H. 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), has reiterated that the Academy has moved into the next phase of its journey with the recent graduation of its first batch of Emirati national diplomats.

He said: "EDA is the leading national institute for training and qualifying Emiratis and motivating them to become innovative diplomats. We are actively working to build the EDA into a regional and global knowledge reference in the field of diplomacy and international relations."

He added: "The graduation of the first cohort of students reiterates EDA's commitment to achieving the vision of the UAE President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan to empower a new generation of UAE diplomats capable of serving the country on the international stage."

Sheikh Abdullah's comments came as part of his opening address at the fifth Board of Trustees meeting of the Emirates Diplomatic Academy (EDA). The meeting was attended by Dr Anwar Mohammed Gargash, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of State, Omar Saif Ghobash, Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to Russia, and Mohamed Issa Abushahab, Director of Policy Planning Department at the UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

Underlining the importance of maintaining the EDA's momentum as it continues on its mission, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan noted: "We take pride in the Academy’s role in qualifying our citizens in diplomacy so they can contribute to advancing the global prestige of the UAE through shaping its foreign policy and building bridges of cooperation with other countries."

"Sustained diplomatic collaboration is the cornerstone of the UAE’s approach towards finding solutions to global issues. Such an inclusive approach is the best guarantor of international peace and security, helps drive sustainable development and allows us to tackle challenges such as poverty and extremism."

As part of the Board of Trustees meeting, Bernardino Leon, Director General of EDA, presented the EDA’s work plan for the upcoming academic year. Leon said the Academy’s success during the last scholastic year will be used to further develop its work in offering students the skills and expertise they need to play a constructive role in the UAE's diplomatic efforts worldwide. He added that the EDA’s programs and leading research capabilities allow it to empower and qualify diplomats with best-in-class skills and training. Leon also noted that the first cohort of graduates helped develop the Academy and was an integral part of the overall project to build this educational institute last year.

The Emirates Diplomatic Academy has lately graduated its first cohort of students. Their training and education programs included lectures, discussions and meetings with global and regional decision makers, as well as case studies and models on a wide range of general and specialized topics focused on diplomacy, including diplomacy for the 21st century, sustainable development and climate change, peaceful use of nuclear energy, renewable energy, and issues pertaining to regional and global peace and security.

The EDA Board of Trustees also discussed a number of items related to the first cohort of graduates, as well as their potential role in the UAE diplomatic landscape. Preparations to receive the new cohort for the academic year 2016-2017 were also reviewed, including the new Master’s program that EDA aims to launch during the next academic year.

The meeting agenda included discussions on the progress of administrative and academic affairs, developing cooperation with academic institutes focused on diplomacy and international relations worldwide, and the first meeting with members of EDA’s Advisory Board.

The meeting also covered EDA’s corporate development and its proposed structure, in addition to reviewing the recommendations of the Board of Trustees during its fourth meeting and the steps that have been taken in this regard.