UAE’s foreign policy discussed at interactive lecture

ABU DHABI: The Emirates Diplomatic Academy (EDA), the UAE’s leading international relations and diplomacy, education, executive training and research institution, hosted an interactive lecture entitled “The UAE’s Foreign Policy and its Transformation in a Decade and a Half” by Dr Ebtesam Al-Ketbi, President of the Emirates Policy Centre (EPC).

Addressing an audience of EDA students, the first woman to lead an independent think tank in the Arab world shared insights from her eminent career that spans senior roles in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), among others.

Al-Ketbi examined the evolution of the UAE’s foreign policy since 1971, characterised by wisdom, moderation, fairness and neighbourliness, and based on the global principles of dialogue and understanding, as well as respect for international conventions and the sovereignty of other countries.

Furthermore, she discussed various regional and global issues related to the foreign policy of the UAE as well as the role of the country and its leadership in shaping international policies that reinforce security and stability, and support sustainable development. She also highlighted the relevance of diplomatic efforts in reducing tension and conflict in the Middle East in general and the GCC region in particular.

In closing, she said: “I thank the management of EDA for inviting me to hold this lecture. The Academy has emerged as a distinguished institution that works relentlessly to refine the skills of the UAE’s diplomatic corps in accordance with best practices.”

Following the lecture, Al-Ketbi engaged the receptive audience in a lively debate on the UAE foreign policy and the most important trends that have shaped it over the past 15 years.

The talk was the latest in EDA’s series of lectures that invites high-profile diplomatic leaders and practitioners from all over the world to share insights from their careers with the Academy’s students with the aim of preparing the UAE’s future diplomats to face a wide range of regional and global challenges.

Read more: http://www.gulftoday.ae/portal/9fa0a91a-5048-4b7e-ac96-69cf99413beb.aspx