A delegation of 34 members of the WJC Jewish Diplomatic Corps (JDCorps) from 14 countries visited the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in November 2021 for an intensive week of meetings with future Emirati diplomats, government representatives, think-tanks, and faith communities.
The delegation’s mission was to establish long-lasting relationships between leaders from Jewish communities worldwide and their counterparts in the UAE. For this objective, the delegation met with H.E. Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance; H.E. Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade; H.E. Dr. Ali Al Nuaimi, Chairman of the Hedaya organization and Chairman of the UAE Parliament's Defense, Interior & Foreign Affairs Committee; H.E. Amir Hayek, Ambassador of Israel to the UAE, and with Ambassador Bernardino León, Director General of the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy (AGDA) alongside the top cadets of the academy, as well as representatives of civil society, the business community, and interfaith partners.
The initiative was organized in close coordination and partnership with the UAE Embassy in Washington D.C. The delegation concluded with a memorable and warm communal Shabbat spent with the Jewish Council of the Emirates in Dubai, our local affiliate, headed by Mr. Ross Kriel.
The WJC Jewish Diplomatic Corps is the flagship program of the World Jewish Congress, under the vision and leadership of WJC President Ronald S. Lauder. This program empowers the new generations of outstanding Jewish leaders. We are a highly selective worldwide network of 350 members from 60 countries receiving opportunities, experience, and skills to impact Jewish interests through diplomacy and public policy.
Our objective is to represent and strengthen the Jewish communities, ensuring their strong voice in global affairs today - and for decades to come.