Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy Expands Partnerships Across China, Hong Kong and Globally

The Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy (AGDA) has expanded its international academic footprint by signing three Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with institutions in Hong Kong, Russia, and Ethiopia, according to the Emirates News Agency (WAM). The academy also participated in strategic dialogues in China and the United States and deepened cooperation with the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS).

In China, AGDA participated in the UAE–China Dialogue, hosted by the Institute of International Relations at the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences. The meeting marked the fourth installment in AGDA's strategic dialogue series and the first held in Asia, following previous sessions in Rome, Paris, and Moscow. Discussions focused on regional and international developments and opportunities for academic and research cooperation.

In Hong Kong, AGDA signed an MoU with the University of Hong Kong's Department of Politics and Public Administration to establish frameworks for academic and research cooperation as well as student and knowledge exchanges. The agreement was concluded during a delegation visit led by AGDA Deputy Director-General Dr. Mohammed Ibrahim Al Dhaheri, in the presence of Sheikh Saud Al Mualla, UAE Consul General in Hong Kong.

Beyond China, AGDA entered into an agreement with Russia's Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO University) to facilitate training, research, and an annual bilateral dialogue platform. In Ethiopia, AGDA signed an MoU with the Institute of Foreign Affairs during the UAE–Africa Hili Regional Dialogue in Addis Ababa.

In the United States, Dr. Al Dhaheri attended the GCC–US Think Tank Strategic Dialogue in Washington, where AGDA co-sponsored a session addressing economic tools in foreign policy and the Gulf's global standing. Through its cooperation with SAIS, Dr. Deborah Wituski was appointed the Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Distinguished Professor of Practice to support diplomatic education, strategic leadership, and the application of artificial intelligence in diplomacy.

Dr. Al Dhaheri stated that theoretical knowledge alone is no longer sufficient to prepare diplomats, emphasizing that international partnerships serve as an extension of the classroom to develop analytical and negotiation skills through direct overseas exposure.