Top diplomats from the Emirates Diplomatic Academy (EDA) and Prince Saud Al Faisal Institute for Diplomatic Studies met virtually, on 2 June, to discuss the "the Role of Diplomacy in Crisis Management." 

The workshop hosted jointly by EDA and IDS saw the participation of top diplomats from both the nations. While Permanent Representative of Saudi Arabia to the UN, Ambassador Abdallah Y. Al-Mouallimi, delivered the keynote address, UAE Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Sheikh Shakhbout bin Nahyan Al Nahyan was in attendance at the virtual meet.

The workshop looked at three core aspects of crisis management - Planning and Crisis Management, the role of International Cooperation and Diplomacy in mitigating the impact of crises, and the Bilateral and Multilateral Diplomacy in mitigation.

The virtual workshop is an example of how the institutes work together under the Saudi-Emirati Coordination Council and strengthen bilateral relations and improve collaboration in crucial areas.

Students from both sides joined the meet in addition to foreign ministry officials from the UAE and KSA.

EDA Deputy Director-General, Dr. Mariam Ibrahim Al-Mahmoud spoke that the two institutes can collaborate as the two countries have developed strong bilateral relations under the guidance of the UAE and the Saudi Arabia's able leadership at the top.

Dr. Al- Mahmoud also highlighted the role of diplomacy and diplomatic channels in dealing with the ongoing corona pandemic. With pre-emptive planning, stronger diplomatic ties, countries can mitigate crisis better.

Dr. Abdullah Al-Salamah Director-General of IDS highlighted the importance of diplomacy in mitigating the impact of novel virus pandemic. Diplomacy can enable greater international cooperation and reach out to global organizations fighting back these significant challenges faced by humanity. The IDS Director-General spoke about how problems can become critical due to "lack of preparedness, and differing social, security, health, and economic priorities among nations."

The UAE's Consul General in Munich (Germany), Abdul Basit Al Marzouqi, and the First Secretary at Saudi's Permanent Delegation to the UN, Dr. Sharifa Al-Zahrani discussed the role of diplomatic and consular officials in managing critical situations during crises situations. Emphasis was added to train diplomats on crisis management.

EDA's Instructor of the Executive Training Department, Shama Al-Dabal, spoke on the role of international cooperation in mitigating the impact of crises, barriers to multilateral cooperation, and how diplomacy can work towards agreement despite several differences.

The final session was about the role of international organizations in crises. Speakers Dr. Mansour Al Marzouqi, Assistant Professor of Political Science and Head of the Centre for Strategic Studies at IDS and Ohoud Al Zaabi, Deputy Director of the United Nations Department at the UAE's MoFAIC spoke about the absence of trust and vulnerability during a crisis can compel countries to focus on bilateral diplomacy at the cost of multilateralism.

The EDA and IDS have organized seminars and sessions under the aegis of the Saudi-Emirati Coordination Council. Relevant topics discussed in the past include economic diplomacy, cybersecurity.  

WAM