Under the patronage and presence of H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the 16th forum of UAE ambassadors and representatives of missions abroad, has begun.
The five-day forum, organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MoFAIC), kickstarted at the Ministry’s headquarters yesterday. The hybrid forum is being held from March 21-25 via attendance in person and video call.
This year's forum will address current pivotal issues in shaping the future of the country's foreign policy, the main geostrategic developments at the regional and international levels, as well as the UAE's approach to its balanced and moderate foreign policy.
The first day of the forum was inaugurated by a welcoming speech of H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, presented by His Excellency Dr. Anwar Gargash, Diplomatic Advisor to the UAE President where he underscored the important role of ambassadors and representatives of the country’s diplomatic missions abroad in showcasing the UAE and promoting soft diplomacy, through its national principles. His Highness added that the UAE has recently celebrated 50 years since its founding, and is moving ahead today at a steady and solid pace towards the next 50 years, requiring all of us to increase our efforts.
"Over the past years, the UAE has made impressive achievements in various fields, becoming a source of inspiration for many countries in the developing world, and an influential international player. This year began with the UAE taking its rightful position in the international community as a member of the UN Security Council. This membership is a reflection of the appreciation for the UAE’s diplomacy, and its constructive and positive role at the global level. Moreover, the UAE’s election to the Human Rights Council and to the presidency of the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL), are achievements that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation had an active role in accomplishing," His Highness said.
His Highness added: "These memberships take us to the next stage, requiring us to work tirelessly to convey to the world the image of the UAE as a moderate nation of development, tolerance and peace."
Furthermore, His Highness pointed out that the world is experiencing transformations and challenges, and that we must be prepared for this through a forward-looking policy and active diplomacy, based on effective cooperation and coordination. Here, the importance of reviving the Arab regional system is that it must be restored within modern policies that respect difference and reject disagreement, through constructive dialogue and without interference of internal affairs.
Moreover, His Highness touched upon the recent escalations and the treacherous terrorist attacks with ballistic missiles and drones that the UAE was subjected to, which unfortunately claimed the lives of innocent civilians. In this regard, he said: "It is necessary to emphasize the readiness of the UAE to confront these threats and deal firmly with them. The UAE is in safe and vigilant hands."
His Highness added: "We urge, and are working closely, with friendly countries and the international community to classify the Houthi militia as a terrorist group, and to take decisive and tangible steps against these militias to end their aggressive behaviour and threats to the security and stability of the region, and to pressure them to engage in international efforts aimed at implementing ceasefire decisions and a political solution in Yemen, in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.”
On its first day, the forum witnessed an opening speech by the guest of honour, His Excellency Mevlut Cavusoglu, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey, during which he reviewed the "UAE-Turkish relations", and expressed appreciation to H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan for the invitation to participate in the forum.
Moreover, the first day included a session on "The UAE's Diplomatic Approach" led by His Excellency Dr. Anwar Gargash, as well as a session with His Excellency Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh, Minister of State, on "Aspirations for the UAE's Economic Diplomacy."
The first day of the forum concluded with a panel discussion on "OPEC's Latest Developments" with His Excellency Ahmed Al Kaabi, Assistant Undersecretary for Petroleum, Gas and Mineral Resources and UAE’s Governor of OPEC.
This year's forum will witness the participation of a number of ministers, senior officials, ambassadors, heads of the country's representative missions abroad, directors of departments in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and a number of government institutions and bodies in the country from various sectors, as a contribution from the Ministry in promoting and developing the goals of UAE diplomacy.
Over the course of five continuous days, the forum will address major axes in politics, culture, law, communication, innovation and advanced sciences. Participants of the forum will also review the most important and prominent achievements of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation during the past year, and the most important developments in work mechanisms, new programs and services, especially in the consular sector, as well as future plans to serve the strategy of the UAE government.
Held annually in Abu Dhabi, the forum fosters interaction, dialogue and exchange of views and ideas, between leadership, officials, UAE ambassadors and representatives abroad, on regional and international developments, while improving the effectiveness of the UAE’s foreign policy.
