UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomes participants of the Arab Diplomatic Leaders Program

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed participants in the fourth edition of the Arab Diplomatic Leaders Program, held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, in partnership with the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy, the Arab Youth Center, and a number of leading diplomatic institutions, including the Geneva Graduate Institute and Harvard University’s Kennedy School.

In his welcome address to the participants during their visit to the Ministry’s headquarters in Abu Dhabi, H.E. Omar Obaid Alhesan Alshamsi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, expressed his pleasure in meeting a distinguished group of 42 young leaders in diplomacy and international affairs, representing more than 12 Arab countries. He emphasized that their presence reflects the spirit of Arab cooperation and a shared belief that youth are the true driving force for building a better future and fostering positive change across the Arab world.

H.E. Alshamsi highlighted that such meetings provide a valuable platform to exchange experiences, build relationships, and strengthen cooperation among Arab youth, who embody promising potential and can project an inspiring image of Arab diplomacy worldwide. He also expressed his hope that the delegation’s visit to the UAE would be an enriching and inspiring experience, from which they would carry new ideas and enduring partnerships that contribute to advancing joint Arab action.

During the visit, the participants attended a presentation delivered by Mr. Mohammed Al Mansoori, Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who showcased the Ministry’s efforts in implementing the goals of the Zero Government Bureaucracy Programme to simplify procedures and deliver faster, more efficient services that save time, effort, and cost. He also introduced the Smart Mission Project, the first of its kind globally that leverages artificial intelligence technologies to offer a fully digital and interactive consular experience through 3D display, hologram, and multilingual virtual officers. The participants witnessed a live demonstration of the Smart Mission model, a pioneering initiative that has already been deployed across several of the UAE’s missions worldwide.

It is worth noting that the Arab Diplomatic Leaders Program is one of the most prominent diplomatic training programs in the Arab world. It aims to equip a select group of Arab youth with advanced diplomatic, technical, and protocol skills to prepare a new generation of leaders capable of representing the Arab world in international fora.

This year’s cohort includes participants from the United Arab Emirates, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Republic of Iraq, the State of Kuwait, the Kingdom of Morocco, the Sultanate of Oman, the Syrian Arab Republic, the State of Palestine, the State of Libya, the Arab Republic of Egypt, and the Islamic Republic of Mauritania. The 2025 edition focuses on economic diplomacy, international trade, global trade policies, international economic agreements, and multilateral economic negotiations, equipping participants with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively engage with evolving economic issues in the global arena.