His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, has attended the 12th UAE Ambassadors and Mission Heads Forum, organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, MoFAIC, in the presence of H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed underlined the importance of such meetings in fostering teamwork spirit and in underpinning channels of collaboration between the UAE and different world countries, saying it's a constructive step on the path to develop tangible solutions to different challenges faced by the diplomatic corpse.
Sheikh Mohammed hailed the role played by H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed and the country's ambassadorial team in ensuring balanced and fruitful relations between the UAE and different world countries.
"I and my brother His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, want to bring our dear country up among the world's bests so that the UAE would become second none," said Sheikh Mohammed.
For his part, H.H. Abdullah lauded Sheikh Mohammed's visit as a guiding step for the ministry's work toward the right direction.
The Forum is organised by MoFAIC for UAE Ambassadors and its representatives in brotherly and friendly countries and international organisations and bodies.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, attended the forum's fifth session, which focused on UAE-US relations along with the regional and international developments related to the foreign policy of the UAE.
Also present at the fifth session were Mohammad bin Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and The Future, Dr. Anwar Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation, Dr. Sultan bin Ahmad Al Jaber, Minister of State, Zaki Nusseibeh, Minister of State, and Khalifa Saeed Suleiman, Director-General of the Department of Protocol and Hospitality in Dubai. Speakers, experts and guests of honor from outside the country also participate in its sessions.
The forum focuses on politics, economy, food security, diplomacy, culture and information. It will also tackle the latest regional and international developments and look into their various consequences and repercussions.
The current edition of the forum comes to complement the dialogue initiated in previous editions. It is an ideal platform for UAE ambassadors to communicate and to exchange views, expertise and experiences, in a bid to contribute to supporting diplomatic and consular work, improve services provided to UAE nationals abroad and enhance the UAE's stature regionally and internationally.
The forum's agenda features a series of issues, challenges and current developments in the region. The first day included a keynote address by Zaki Nusseiba about "The progressive vision of the late founder of the nation Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan" - may God grant him peace." The address focused on the six main axes of the vision of the founding father for development: huge ambitions, ambitious development plans, and transformational development that brought radical changes to the UAE society while preserving its social characteristics.
He stressed that the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may God have mercy on him, was an exceptional leader, who focused on leadership styles, from traditional and charismatic to institutional leadership.
Mariam Al Mehairi, Minister of State, addressed the UAE's diplomats during a session on "The Future of Food Security", in which she focused on the UAE government's vision for food security in terms of enabling all Emirati nationals and residents to obtain safe and healthy food at acceptable prices in all conditions, including times of emergency and crisis.
Al Mehairi referred to a number of international reports, such as the FAO report and the Economist Intelligence Unit, which indicate that the UAE is on the top of the list of food-safe countries. She highlighted the key role of Emirati diplomacy in promoting future food security by establishing partnerships with different countries to attract foreign investment in the country's agricultural sector or to facilitate state investments abroad.
She also stressed the importance of aquaculture as a means of producing and diversifying sources of food security, and the role of this vital sector in promoting trade and economic growth and creating various job opportunities in the country.
Dr. Thani Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, addressed the attendees in a panel on "Food Diversity in the UAE" moderated by Dr. Nawal Al Hosani, Deputy Director General of the UAE Diplomatic Academy.
Al Zeyoudi focused on the country's strategy for food diversity and explained that government figures and data related to the UAE's approach and achievements in food diversity, sustainability and reduction of carbon emissions are very reassuring.
He also stressed the importance of developing partnerships with the private sector and non-profit associations in the country in achieving the government's strategy for food diversity, particularly when it comes to promoting foreign investments and reducing food waste. Al Zeyoudi added that the Ministry of Climate Change applies strict measures and requirements on food imports to maintain food security and safety, and deals with any complaints in this regard very seriously.
The forum also featured a session by the international expert Tom Fletcher, who spoke about new changes in the world of diplomacy. His keynote address, "The Next Wave of Virtual Diplomacy", was followed by a session on "Leadership in a Changing World" by the researcher Dr. Tommy Weir.
Over the next five days, the forum will address current affairs and developments in several countries, which may affect the UAE's foreign policy in one way or another. Matters related to the consular sector and services provided by the ministry will also be tackled.
On the sidelines of the forum, UAE ambassadors and mission heads took part in an eight-kilometre walkathon organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and held at the Yas Marina Circuit. The event is part of Ministry's Healthcare Programme and saw the participation of a number of ministry officials and their families.
The UAE Ambassadors and Mission Heads Forum is an annual event organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. It is an auspicious opportunity for interaction, dialogue and exchanging ideas among UAE ambassadors and diplomats.
Source: UAE MINISTRY OF FOREGIN AFFAIRS