Under the Theme “EDA Next 50 Talks” Emirates Diplomatic Academy Launches a New Series of Webinars

The Emirates Diplomatic Academy (EDA) launched a new series of webinars under the theme “EDA Next 50 Talks”, in support of the UAE government’s plan to chart the largest national action strategy of its kind to shape the march of the UAE towards the next 50 years.

The “EDA Next 50 Talks” series was designed with a futuristic perspective to inspire the UAE’s leading future diplomats. It brought together local and international experts to discuss new trends in the field of diplomacy.

It launched its first discussion on “Health Diplomacy”, which welcomed Dr Pedro L. Alonso, the Director of the WHO Global Malaria Program in Geneva, Switzerland, and Dr. Nariman Al Mulla, UAE Consul General in Melbourne, Australia.

The webinar was moderated by Bernardino León, Director General of the Emirates Diplomatic Academy (EDA), and attended by EDA’s professors, researchers and staff.

León stated that: “The launch of this exceptional series is part of our Academy’s commitment to providing an ideal opportunity for our students to actively engage with prominent international speakers, world-renowned diplomats and experts in various fields.”

“Health should be at the center of our global diplomacy,” said Dr. Pedro Alonso. “In the field of health, infectious diseases are the one thing that can bring the world to a halt in just a few weeks. The health, economic, social and political consequences of COVID-19 bring to light a real persistent challenge to the global system.”

Al Mulla highlighted that: “It is a great honor for me to participate in the “Health Diplomacy” session of the ‘EDA Next 50 Talks’ series, to shed lights on the health diplomacy of the UAE and the efforts it exerts locally and globally to address the COVID-19 pandemic.” She added that the coming years will witness new patterns of worldwide alliances and partnerships that will focus on the global health security to further enhance the role of health diplomacy.

She also touched upon the pioneering role of the UAE missions in Australia, namely the embassy in Canberra and the consulate general in Melbourne, during the early stages of the pandemic. They managed to evacuate students and citizens, and ensure stability, security, and the sustainability of life in the midst of this global epidemic.