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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, said the role of the academy in shaping the UAE's diplomatic future has become even more important, in line with the UAE leadership’s vision to strengthen the nation’s role in promoting international cooperation.

Sheikh Abdullah said the responsibility of the Academy has also increased with the new direction and tasks of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. It now has to implement innovative initiatives that would contribute to activating the UAE’s international cooperation and establishing positive relations at both regional and international levels. This will support the nation’s move to a new phase of the future diplomacy to achieve significant successes in the international arena.

Sheikh Abdullah said the academic curriculum of EDA must include significant new knowledge and skills that will enable the nation’s future diplomats to gain capabilities and expertise in international cooperation, and contribute to shaping of the UAE’s future diplomacy.

Sheikh Abdullah was addressing the third meeting of the Board of Trustees, which was attended by Dr. Anwar bin Mohammed Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs; Dr. Sultan bin Ahmad Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of State, 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 Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

Sheikh Abdullah explained that the academy today has a clear strategy to achieve its vision and consolidate its position as one of the most important educational, research and academic centres specialised in diplomacy in the region and the world. The academy will attract the best talent and expertise, and build global partnerships to share knowledge, and leverage them to achieve success in UAE’s diplomatic initiatives.

On the occasion, Bernardino Leon, Director General of EDA, highlighted the strategy for the academy in the upcoming phase, underlining its commitment to achieving excellence in the field of training, research and academic study. "EDA will provide diplomats with the best skills and offer world-class academic programmes, and strengthen its position as a leading centre for diplomatic studies globally," he said.

The meeting reviewed the academic work in 2016 and discussed the proposals for developing academic programmes that will enrich the educational experience of the students. The participants also discussed the various training programmes implemented by the Academy.

The meeting highlighted the research outputs of the Academy, and ways to support the projects submitted by students. It discussed the strategic directions for the next phase, with emphasis on the key initiatives and events to be implemented this year.