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2024-07-01

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, The Pioneer of Presidential Diplomacy

Editorial Team

Amidst the multiple political issues and the complex, explosive crises across the globe, emerges the importance of diplomacy. This takes place through the leaders and heads of nations. The UAE provides a model example represented by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.

His Highness has once again reinstated presidential diplomacy, which appeared in the 1970s and was first linked to the diplomatic activities carried out by the presidents of the U.S. and the former Soviet Union. Former French President Jacques Chirac tried to follow the same approach to settle some crises and foreign issues through direct meetings with his counterparts, but the pace of presidential diplomacy declined significantly in the following decades.

In keeping up with this development in international communication among leaders, His Highness recently visited Italy in June to attend the G7 summit. The summit’s agenda was full of important issues on the list of UAE foreign policy priorities. The topics included climate change and development; the war in Gaza and Ukraine; as well as emerging issues such as the uses of technology and the prospects for artificial intelligence (AI).

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan conducted this high-level diplomatic activity before he officially assumed the reins of government in the country. This is closer to being a personal trait of His Highness, as he is keen to achieve the desired goals and complete the required tasks successfully.

Historically, only a few leaders follow presidential diplomacy, and those among them who practice it intensively in multiple directions, and within a limited period of time, are rare. The UAE President is probably the only leader in the world currently to do so.

In the few weeks before His Highness’s visit to Italy, he also visited China and South Korea. There is no doubt that communication at the presidential level with both the countries confirm what the UAE has always declared regarding openness to constructive cooperation with all countries of the world without bias or involvement in closed alliances. Recent developments of the UAE’s relations with countries from the East and the West witnessed important breakthroughs, especially in the fields of development and those sectors directly related to the future of the world and the well-being of people.

Emirati diplomacy is full of skilled human cadres and capabilities in political and diplomatic work. However, the presidential role played by His Highness President of the UAE constitutes a driving force that guides the nation’s agencies and institutions in various fields. In addition, the nation’s leader’s assumption of the State’s foreign relations and movements indicates a sense of responsibility and confidence in perfect success of the due tasks, consultations, solutions, and ideas. It is a great incentive for the youth and men of the UAE that the role model and example of that diligent and successful action is their leader, the President of the State personally.

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