On October 9, the Emirates Diplomatic Academy will produce its first class of graduates. It has been an interesting journey, and one in which I have been honoured to take part, as the academy's first director general.
The UAE is founded on a set of simple ideas: that human progress depends on collaboration, partnership, tolerance, multiculturalism, innovation and an outward-facing mindset. Since 1971, those ideas have underpinned the country’s international role. It has become one of the world’s top donors of humanitarian and development aid and one of the first in the region to adopt an active role in the fight against climate change. It has worked with its partners to promote security and stability and to counter the existential threat posed by terrorism. It has reached out to innovators across the globe to develop exciting opportunities and tackle shared problems in a complex and fast changing world. More than ever, there is a need for a new chapter in diplomacy that further evolves global co-operation and dialogue, realising shared ambitions.
The Emirates Diplomatic Academy is firmly based on these principles and values, which I share. Building on the achievements of those who have served in the foreign service since 1971, it seeks to equip future diplomats with the knowledge and tools to play their part in the UAE’s international relations in the years ahead. There are challenges aplenty: from climate change to trade and investment in emerging markets, from combating poverty to tackling extremism, the UAE is an active participant in international diplomacy, offering smart and different thinking that has earned it a reputation as a good global citizen, not least through the United Nations.
A country’s foreign policy and strategy are only as good as its representatives. That is why the academy has developed a three-pronged approach to diplomacy and international relations – education, research and training – that seeks both to ensure that diplomats are educated on classic theory and that they set the tone for new diplomatic thought. History, international relations, culture, economics and politics come together with softer skills of presentation, professionalism, respect, language, negotiation, flexibility, empathy and even how to use a smartphone to influence foreign policy. We welcome others who would like to benefit from our programmes.
In our first year, ministers, ambassadors and academics have shared their experience and insights with our students. In the current year, our flagship course is on 21st-century diplomacy while we continue to develop our concept of the diplomatic innovation hub, leadership and ethics and new research streams, including peace and security in the Mena region, climate change and UAE-Asian relations.
We don’t just teach; we also listen and create space for future leaders to think. Our research is now being used across government, especially in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. The best will be recognised at the highest levels. Our faculty provide advice and up-to-date information on emerging trends and patterns to ensure the UAE’s 107 diplomatic missions are as well informed as they can be, taking a lead on how to react in the 21st century. We are also building a community of diplomatic thinking and practice which will fast become a global centre of excellence.
Following my long career as a diplomat for the European Union and the UN, I was delighted to be asked by the founder and chairman of the EDA, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, to take up this challenging post. It allows me to continue my own learning, as everyone should do, as well as to share my lifetime experiences with the coming generations.
Next week will be a proud time as the first cohort of future diplomats graduate from the academy, equipped to serve the nation. I congratulate them and wish them well in their years ahead as part of the diplomatic family.
Bernardino Leon is director general of the Emirates Diplomatic Academy
Business Insights
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- US domestic suppliers might benefit from higher prices, but overall oil consumption is expected to decrease due to elevated costs
Company%20Profile
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THE BIO
Favourite author - Paulo Coelho
Favourite holiday destination - Cuba
New York Times or Jordan Times? NYT is a school and JT was my practice field
Role model - My Grandfather
Dream interviewee - Che Guevara
When is VAR used?
• Goals
• Penalty decisions
• Direct red-card incidents
• Mistaken identity
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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if you go
The flights
Emirates offer flights to Buenos Aires from Dubai, via Rio De Janeiro from around Dh6,300. emirates.com
Seeing the games
Tangol sell experiences across South America and generally have good access to tickets for most of the big teams in Buenos Aires: Boca Juniors, River Plate, and Independiente. Prices from Dh550 and include pick up and drop off from your hotel in the city. tangol.com
Staying there
Tangol will pick up tourists from any hotel in Buenos Aires, but after the intensity of the game, the Faena makes for tranquil, upmarket accommodation. Doubles from Dh1,110. faena.com
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairy Tale
Starring: Nayanthara, Vignesh Shivan, Radhika Sarathkumar, Nagarjuna Akkineni
Director: Amith Krishnan
Rating: 3.5/5
The specs
Engine: 3-litre twin-turbo V6
Power: 400hp
Torque: 475Nm
Transmission: 9-speed automatic
Price: From Dh215,900
On sale: Now
Have you been targeted?
Tuan Phan of SimplyFI.org lists five signs you have been mis-sold to:
1. Your pension fund has been placed inside an offshore insurance wrapper with a hefty upfront commission.
2. The money has been transferred into a structured note. These products have high upfront, recurring commission and should never be in a pension account.
3. You have also been sold investment funds with an upfront initial charge of around 5 per cent. ETFs, for example, have no upfront charges.
4. The adviser charges a 1 per cent charge for managing your assets. They are being paid for doing nothing. They have already claimed massive amounts in hidden upfront commission.
5. Total annual management cost for your pension account is 2 per cent or more, including platform, underlying fund and advice charges.
From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
SPEC%20SHEET
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Andor
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECreator%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Tony%20Gilroy%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDiego%20Luna%2C%20Genevieve%20O'Reilly%2C%20Alex%20Ferns%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%205%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
%E2%80%98FSO%20Safer%E2%80%99%20-%20a%20ticking%20bomb
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Long Shot
Director: Jonathan Levine
Starring: Charlize Theron, Seth Rogan
Four stars
RESULTS
6pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-2 – Group 1 (PA) $55,000 (Dirt) 1,900m
Winner: Rajeh, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Musabah Al Muhairi (trainer)
6.35pm: Oud Metha Stakes – Rated Conditions (TB) $60,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Get Back Goldie, William Buick, Doug O’Neill
7.10pm: Jumeirah Classic – Listed (TB) $150,000 (Turf) 1,600m
Winner: Sovereign Prince, James Doyle, Charlie Appleby
7.45pm: Firebreak Stakes – Group 3 (TB) $150,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Hypothetical, Mickael Barzalona, Salem bin Ghadayer
8.20pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-2 – Group 2 (TB) $350,000 (D) 1,900m
Winner: Hot Rod Charlie, William Buick, Doug O’Neill
8.55pm: Al Bastakiya Trial – Conditions (TB) $60,000 (D) 1,900m
Winner: Withering, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass
9.30pm: Balanchine – Group 2 (TB) $180,000 (T) 1,800m
Winner: Creative Flair, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
COMPANY PROFILE
Initial investment: Undisclosed
Investment stage: Series A
Investors: Core42
Current number of staff: 47
TO A LAND UNKNOWN
Director: Mahdi Fleifel
Starring: Mahmoud Bakri, Aram Sabbah, Mohammad Alsurafa
Rating: 4.5/5
Disclaimer
Director: Alfonso Cuaron
Stars: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Kline, Lesley Manville
Rating: 4/5
UAE SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Ali Khaseif, Fahad Al Dhanhani, Mohammed Al Shamsi, Adel Al Hosani
Defenders: Bandar Al Ahbabi, Shaheen Abdulrahman, Walid Abbas, Mahmoud Khamis, Mohammed Barghash, Khalifa Al Hammadi, Hassan Al Mahrami, Yousef Jaber, Mohammed Al Attas
Midfielders: Ali Salmeen, Abdullah Ramadan, Abdullah Al Naqbi, Majed Hassan, Abdullah Hamad, Khalfan Mubarak, Khalil Al Hammadi, Tahnoun Al Zaabi, Harib Abdallah, Mohammed Jumah
Forwards: Fabio De Lima, Caio Canedo, Ali Saleh, Ali Mabkhout, Sebastian Tagliabue
