Abu Dhabi: The UAE’s leading centre of excellence for diplomatic capacity building, research, and thought leadership, the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy (AGDA) has concluded the 47th International Forum on Diplomatic Training (IFDT).
The event which was opened by UAE Minister of State, Sheikh Shakhbout bin Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan welcomed 35+ diplomatic academies from around the world, specialized in training and preparing future diplomats and leaders.
Today, is nothing short of a pivotal milestone, and what will be a memorable achievement for AGDA and for the UAE. AGDA is not only a valuable academic institute, but a vibrant think tank, a place where great minds come together to discuss and advance the future of diplomacy.
The UAE Minister of State remarked while opening the event.
“Diplomacy is key – and transparency and credibility in diplomacy are valuable. The UAE’s foreign policy aims to restore faith in the region, to bring about hope for a better future, for generations to come. We believe that this can be achieved through peaceful dialogue, mutual understanding, respect, and unity,” Sheikh Shakhbout bin Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan concluded.
Apart from the specialized discussion sessions, the forum facilitated meetings, visits and activities related to public and cultural diplomacy, where Mr. Omar Saif Ghobash, Assistant Minister for Culture and Public Diplomacy at the UAE’s MoFAIC, welcomed the forum’s participants to review the UAE’s trends, and introduced some of the key projects and activities currently being implemented in the UAE.
The discussions at the 47th edition of IFDT included but were not limited to essential trends in 21st century diplomacy (including the future of diplomacy in a post-COVID-19 world, digital diplomacy, women in diplomacy, governance), the Abraham Accords, the current situation in Afghanistan, as well ways to improve diplomatic practices.
INTERNATIONAL FORUM ON DIPLOMATIC TRAINING
Established in 1972 by a consortium of academic and diplomatic training institutions, the International Forum on Diplomatic Training initially conceived as a annual meeting of deans and directors.
Since its founding, its membership has grown to include the heads of academic institutes dedicated to the study of international relations and diplomacy, and to accredited institutes for the training of official diplomats from 56 countries, across six continents.
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