The Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy Builds a Global Network of Learning

By forging partnerships across continents, the Academy is reshaping how future diplomats prepare for a complex world, combining rigorous training with practical international experience.

The work of diplomacy exists in the space between nations, in the careful architecture of understanding that holds the international order in place. The Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy recognises this truth with particular clarity, and has moved to expand its reach across the world, signing three memoranda of understanding with leading institutions in Russia, Ethiopia and Hong Kong, whilst deepening engagement with partners in China and the United States.

These partnerships represent far more than bureaucratic formalities. They are, in essence, an extension of the classroom into the world itself. Dr. Mohammed Ibrahim Al Dhaheri, Deputy Director-General of AGDA, articulates this philosophy with precision: theoretical knowledge, he observes, no longer suffices for those preparing to represent the UAE on the global stage. Future diplomats must understand how their counterparts perceive the world, must develop the analytical rigour and negotiation skills that only direct engagement with international experts can provide.

In Moscow, the Academy has partnered with the Moscow State Institute of International Relations, or MGIMO University, establishing frameworks for diplomatic training, academic research and exchanges among students, diplomats and researchers. The agreement extends to the creation of an annual UAE–Russia dialogue platform, creating space for sustained conversation on matters of mutual interest. In Addis Ababa, alongside the UAE–Africa Hili Regional Dialogue, AGDA signed with the Institute of Foreign Affairs, opening channels for foreign policy studies, strategic dialogues and capacity building across the continent.

The Academy’s engagement extends to Asia, where it participated in the UAE–China Dialogue hosted by the Institute of International Relations at the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences. This marked the fourth in a series of strategic dialogues that have previously convened in Rome, Paris and Moscow, bringing the Academy’s intellectual contributions to bear on regional and international questions. In Hong Kong, a memorandum with the University of Hong Kong’s Department of Politics and Public Administration establishes frameworks for academic cooperation and student exchanges, signed in the presence of Sheikh Saud Al Mualla, Consul General of the UAE in Hong Kong.

The Academy’s work also extends to Washington, where Dr. Al Dhaheri participated in the GCC–US Think Tank Strategic Dialogue, engaging on questions of regional security and the strategic applications of economic tools in foreign policy. Meanwhile, AGDA’s relationship with Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies has deepened with the appointment of Dr. Deborah Wituski as Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Distinguished Professor of Practice, a role designed to advance diplomatic education, develop strategic leadership and address the evolving role of artificial intelligence in international relations.

These initiatives reflect a philosophy that sees international partnership not as an end in itself, but as a means of preparing the next generation of diplomats to meet the complexities of a rapidly changing world. As outlined in the UAE’s broader approach to regional security, grounded in deterrence and diplomacy, the Academy’s work ensures that this vision is carried forward by individuals equipped with both intellectual depth and practical experience.

What it means for Abu Dhabi

For Abu Dhabi and the wider UAE, these partnerships represent an investment in the soft power and diplomatic influence that will shape the nation’s global standing in the years ahead. By creating pathways for students and researchers to engage directly with leading international institutions, the Academy strengthens the UAE’s ability to participate meaningfully in global dialogue and to advance its foreign policy priorities with both credibility and nuance.

The expansion also reflects Abu Dhabi’s commitment to developing talent from within, preparing Emirati diplomatic professionals who understand not only the complexities of international relations but also the perspectives and priorities of key partners across multiple continents. In doing so, the Academy ensures that the UAE’s voice remains thoughtful, informed and influential in the conversations that shape the international order.

Source: WAM