Fifty-three young diplomats from 15 Arab countries have completed the fifth edition of the Young Arab Diplomatic Leaders Programme in Abu Dhabi, as the region invests in preparing a new generation for an increasingly complex world.
Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, the programme brought together young diplomatic professionals for an intensive three-week training experience at the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy.
This year’s programme asked a timely question: Are yesterday’s diplomatic tools still capable of managing today’s world?
Under the theme Diplomacy Under the Microscope, participants examined how artificial intelligence, technology, digital platforms, companies and other non-state actors are changing the way countries interact, negotiate and respond to international challenges.
The training went beyond traditional classroom learning. Participants worked through practical exercises involving negotiation, crisis management and multilateral diplomacy, responding to fast-moving scenarios while formulating positions and managing competing priorities.
His Highness Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Chairman of Ajman Municipality and Planning Department and Vice Chairman of the Arab Youth Center, described the development of young diplomats as a strategic investment in the region’s future.
“In a world where changes are accelerating, and interests and cross-border issues are increasingly intertwined, preparing young diplomats has become a strategic necessity,” he said.
The programme also focused on a broader set of skills increasingly required of diplomats today.
H.E. Zaki Anwar Nusseibeh, Cultural Adviser to the UAE President and a member of the Board of Trustees of the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy, said diplomacy now requires more than an ability to negotiate or manage crises.
“Today’s diplomat needs a critical mind capable of assessing the international landscape and a deep awareness that enables them to understand others and build bridges of dialogue and trust between peoples,” he said.
The fifth edition was delivered through two remote phases followed by in-person training in Abu Dhabi. Its eight areas of focus included the international system, power in the 21st century, digital diplomacy, the future of international institutions, negotiation under pressure and multilateral crisis management.
For the UAE, the programme is also part of a wider effort to develop national and Arab talent capable of navigating geopolitical change.
H.E. Omar Obaid Alhesan Alshamsi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said diplomatic institutions increasingly need professionals who can understand international dynamics, protect national interests and work effectively within multilateral frameworks.
Beyond the three weeks of training, the graduates now leave with something equally valuable: a professional network spanning 15 Arab countries.
As diplomacy itself changes, programmes such as Young Arab Diplomatic Leaders are betting that the next generation will need not just knowledge of international relations, but the ability to adapt, analyse and build connections across an increasingly complicated world.
