The UAE Ministry of Economy and the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED), have announced
Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy (AGDA), a globally recognised diplomatic
centre of excellence in Abu Dhabi, as their official Education partner in hosting the
World Trade Organisation’s 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13), the principle
decision-making body overseeing global trade, when it convenes in Abu Dhabi in February 2024.
The cooperation agreement was signed in the presence of His Excellency Dr Thani
bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade and MC13 Chair-
designate, and His Excellency Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi
Department of Economic Development. It was signed by His Excellency Abdullah
Ahmed Al Saleh, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Economy, HE Badr Al-Olama,
Acting Director General of the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), representing
ADDED, and His Excellency Nickolay Mladenov, Director General of the Anwar
Gargash Diplomatic Academy.
AGDA is the UAE’s leading diplomatic training center with a successful track record
in developing the nation’s future diplomats, government, and business leaders. As
Education Partner for MC13, AGDA is playing an active role in the Global Future
Trade Leaders program, an initiative of the Ministry of Economy in partnership with
the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED), leveraging its
diverse knowledge base, geopolitical expertise and decades of experience in cross
cultural communications to deliver masterclasses and educational materials on
global trade that will prepare young UAE government officials to actively and
constructively participate in MC13.
Additionally, AGDA will contribute to the success of MC13 through the production of
thought leadership insights and reports and through participation in strategic
conferences and roundtable discussions leading up to MC13.
Commenting on the agreement, HE Dr Thani Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for
Foreign Trade and MC13 Chair-designate, said: “AGDA has been key in training and

nurturing the UAE’s current and future diplomatic representatives and foreign policy
leaders, and will greatly assist us as hosts in representing the UAE positively and
productively throughout the duration of MC13. AGDA’s collective experience and
expertise in a wide range of geopolitical issues, global trade and climate diplomacy
will help to foster and advance constructive discussions on the most pressing issues
that global trade ministers will be meeting in Abu Dhabi to resolve.”
His Excellency Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, Chairman of ADDED, said: “As we are
forging ahead with efforts to cement our country’s status as a leading global hub for
trade, business, and investments, we believe equipping our talents with necessary
knowledge and skills is a prerequisite to achieve our objectives. The partnership with
Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy (AGDA) will enable UAE representatives to
reach innovative solutions to global trade challenges at the upcoming WTO
Ministerial Conference in Abu Dhabi”.
“AGDA has been playing a major role in qualifying the UAE’s diplomats and
government leaders to represent our country on the global stage as well as leading
international conversations on key topics to reach agreements that address the
needs of various stakeholders as evidenced by many global events and
conferences. We are looking forward to reaping the fruits of this partnership at the
WTO Ministerial Conference, being held at a critical time and aiming to enhance the
role of trade in driving sustainable development”.
His Excellency Nickolay Mladenov, Director General of the Anwar Gargash
Diplomatic Academy said: “The partnership with MC13 is an important milestone for
AGDA, underscoring its commitment to training UAE diplomats and supporting the
nation’s foreign policy. This collaboration highlights AGDA’s expertise and
contribution to international diplomacy and foreign policy on a global stage. By
offering its knowledge and necessary provisions, AGDA is dedicated to ensuring the
success of MC13, furthering its mission to enhance global diplomatic relations and
policy outcomes.”
“At AGDA, we believe in the critical role of trade ministers in the collaborative efforts
between countries to implement international cooperation frameworks for global
trade, especially considering current situations and challenges. With strong
partnerships and policies in international trade, we can rise above the challenges
and maintain balance if we work together to uphold trade policies that benefit us all.”
Trade ministers representing 164 countries and trading blocs will gather in Abu
Dhabi in February next year to engage in discussions regarding reforms to the global
trading system that will seek to enlarge its membership, improve dispute resolution
processes and facilitate increased investment in trade technologies to enable more
sustainable and resilient supply chains.
The UAE’s increasingly important role as a global logistics hub and advocate for a
more inclusive global trading system has seen it positioned as a champion for
increasing engagement of the Global South in international trade. In 2021, the UAE
launched its Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) program that aims to establish more open, sustainable and mutually beneficial trading relations by removing barriers to trade in goods and services, simplifying customs procedures and streamlining supply chains.

Rabdan Academy, a renowned global leader in safety, security, defence, emergency preparedness, and crisis management, has unveiled the Sustainable Security and Defence Professional Development program. This initiative is tailored for senior leaders, experts, and specialists employed in security and defence institutions across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.
The program is designed to elevate the national strategic security and defence priorities of the GCC countries, encompassing Extremism & Critical National Security, Peacebuilding & Stability, Security & Defence Workforce Modernization,
GCC National Defence Priorities, Human Security, Policing & Justice Strategies, as well as Economy, Trade & Tourism.
Comprising a unique array of professional development courses focused on the security and defence sectors, the program covers contemporary leadership in security and defence, combating global terrorism, emergency management and incident command, business continuity management, military attaché and security advisory, operational policing, and crime and community management. Highlighting the significance of this endeavour, His Excellency James Morse, President of Rabdan Academy, emphasized its regional and global impact. He underscored the critical role of regional security in fortifying the national security
of any country worldwide. The academy’s design of this distinctive program reflects a professional, integrative, and comprehensive approach to realizing this vision.
Morse expressed confidence in the program’s ability to instigate a substantial transformation in the security and defence capabilities of the GCC countries. He anticipates that the participation of senior leaders and experts will foster the
exchange of experiences and expertise, the development of specialized security and defence capabilities, and an alignment with the swift global and regional changes. Rabdan Academy’s professional development programs hold extensive global
accreditation from Pearson BTEC in the United Kingdom, the Global Innovation Institute, the ILM, as well as the National Open College Network (NOCN), among other local and international accrediting bodies. Actively participating in the European Foundation for Quality Management, the academy remains committed to upholding the highest standards.

Qatar Foundation’s (QF) edutainment show Stars of Science

– which drives scientific innovation and entrepreneurship among Arab youth –
announced that applications for its upcoming season 16 are open, and invited aspiring Arab
innovators to apply for an opportunity to join the show and transform their innovative ideas
into tangible solutions. Claiming the title of Top Arab Innovator in season 15 was robotics engineer Mohammed Abbas Albumijdad from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He created a crawler robot for
vertical surfaces, named ‘Wall-Bot’. Designed specifically to monitor large vertical spaces, it
will be used for various purposes, including the inspection of dams and skyscrapers, as well
as bridges for cracks, cleaning, and other purposes in hard-to-reach or hazardous areas.
“I am proud to be the first Saudi winner in Stars of Science, and I dedicate this win to my
fellow countrymen. My journey on the show had its fair share of challenges, but I am happy
that it eventually led to the creation of the first robotic prototype that will help engineers
around the world in their inspection of building sites, and has the potential to save countless
human lives per year. This wouldn’t have been possible without the support provided by
Stars of Science,” said Albumijdad. Since its inception in 2009, Stars of Science has generated an extensive network of local and international partnerships. Recognizing the importance of fostering the next generation of Arab innovators through global collaborations and mentorships, Stars of Science organized a trip to Hong Kong for the three finalists of season 15, taking them to the heart of technological advancement at Cyberport and the Hong Kong Science Park. There, they got
the opportunity to engage and forge connections with rising tech enterprises and build active
synergies that will drive forward the future of technology and innovation.
Comprising 168 members from 18 Arab countries, the Stars of Science alumni community
underscores the regions potential for scientific excellence and innovation. Notably, Ahmad
Al Ghazi, a finalist from season 2, has gained recognition for pioneering the AI-powered
walker, the ‘CAN Go’ smart cane, making it to TIMEs list of the 200 best inventions of
2023. Last year saw the crowning of the show’s first female winner, Sumaiya Al Siyabi, whose
passion for marine life led to the creation of the device, ‘Remediation and Disposal of Micro-
Plastics’, which can trap and dispose of microplastics in large water bodies. “As a working mother and scientist, I am grateful for the support I got from Stars of Science in realizing my entrepreneurial ambitions. I encourage all aspiring innovators to apply for the next season as this show is an incredible platform that can turn your vision into reality and change the world,” says Al Siyabi. Season 14 alumnus Youcef Fermi is currently working as the lead research and development
engineer of atmospheric plasma innovative applications in a French-based firm. He is on the precipice of transforming the automotive industry by disrupting the traditional method of
producing hydrogen gas through ground-breaking technology, also known as the plasma
torch downstream process. “My experience as a Stars of Science candidate transformed my mindset. As an academic, I had assumed that developing an innovative device to market standards would take years. However, the program, with its network of high-level experts, provided me with all the knowledge and resources I needed to accelerate the production process from idea to market in just three months,” said Fermi.