ABU DHABI (WAM)

His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy attended the graduation ceremony of the “Shapers of Tomorrow” cohort for the academic year 2023-2024 at the Academy's headquarters in Abu Dhabi.

The ceremony was attended by Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, and members of AGDA's Board of Trustees; Dr. Anwar Gargash, Diplomatic Adviser to the UAE President, Deputy Chairman of the Board of Trustees at AGDA; Zaki Nusseibeh, Cultural Adviser to the UAE President, Chancellor of the United Arab Emirates University, Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology; Khalifa Shaheen Al Marar, Minister of State; Omar Saif Ghobash, Adviser to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and UAE Non-Resident Ambassador to the Holy See, and Nickolay Mladenov, Director-General of AGDA, Dr. Mohammed Ibrahim Al Dhaheri, Deputy Director General of AGDA, in addition to the faculty and administrative members and the families of graduates.

The event celebrated the achievements of 63 students across AGDA’s flagship programmes: the ninth cohort of the Post-Graduate Diploma (PGD) in UAE Diplomacy and International Relations, the sixth cohort of the Master of Arts in Global Affairs and Diplomatic Leadership (MAGAD), and the third cohort of the Master of Arts in Humanitarian Action and Development (MAHAD).

His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan congratulated the graduates and wished them success in their professional careers. He emphasised their role in advancing the country’s global standing, both regionally and globally, while supporting national efforts to build bridges of positive cooperation and foster fruitful, constructive partnerships with all nations to achieve development and prosperity for all communities.

Nickolay E. Mladenov highlighted the critical role of the graduates in shaping the future of Emirati diplomacy. Addressing them, he said, "Today’s graduates embody the UAE’s unique approach to diplomacy—one that blends vision, pragmatism, and cultural sensitivity. You are not just representatives of your nation; you are the quiet architects of understanding, tasked with navigating complex challenges and building bridges of trust in an ever-changing world. With the knowledge and skills gained at AGDA, you are prepared to lead with empathy, integrity, and purpose, advancing the UAE’s values of tolerance, cooperation, and peace on the global stage."

He continued, "Your achievements are not just about personal success; they are about the legacy you will create. In every dialogue you pursue and every challenge you tackle, remember this guiding principle: ‘Know who you are and whom you represent.’ Carry the UAE’s heritage of bridge-building forward, and work to create a world where understanding and collaboration triumph over division."

Dr. Mohammed Ibrahim Al Dhaheri said, “We rely on our ambitious youth, the ‘Shapers of Tomorrow’, to carry the UAE’s noble message of spreading the values of tolerance and coexistence worldwide and laying the foundations for international peace and stability. We trust them to uphold the crucial mission of strengthening international cooperation to ensure a more secure and stable future for the region and the world.”

The ceremony also celebrated the graduation of 24 participants from the “Future Leaders in Foreign Policy Programme.” This programme, offered by AGDA, aims to deepen participants’ understanding of international relations and enhance their diplomatic skills. It is tailored for UAE nationals, including Ministry of Foreign Affairs employees, government officials, corporate leaders, and media professionals. The programme addresses contemporary foreign policy challenges across political, diplomatic, economic, social, legal, and cultural dimensions.

At the end of the ceremony, His Highness Sheikh Abdullah addressed the graduates, saying, "One must always cherish every beautiful moment in life, and this is one such moment you are living today. We extend our gratitude to your families and express our appreciation to the college members for their dedication and belief in you."

He added, "It is a source of pride to work for one's country, and it is an even greater honour to serve a nation like the UAE."