Guided by the UAE's "Principles of the 50" set by the wise leadership as the core guidelines for all UAE institutions for the next fifty years, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MoFAIC) has taken upon itself to carry out its duty, work and roles stemming from these principles. This was reflected in the Ministry's approach throughout the global Covid-19 crisis, which provided the opportunity to show and test mechanisms in place, enhance and develop them to better serve the interests of Emirati citizens and everyone who chooses to live in the United Arab Emirates.

As part of the efforts exerted to reach proactiveness in serving Emirati citizens, the Ministry has rolled out the state-of-the-art technology and tools, and relied on all available and innovative communication channels to facilitate their access to the latest information and procedures. Through a page dedicated to Emirati travelers on its website, the Ministry offers integrated information on travel instructions by destination in an interactive map to facilitate access to travel advisories and procedures for each destination. The map is updated by the Ministry in partnership with a number of authorities, such as the Ministry of Interior and health and education authorities. This page is considered the first of its kind in the Middle East.

In line with the visionary approach of the wise UAE leadership towards providing support and assistance to the Emirati citizens all over the world, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has been keen to raise the readiness of its teams in the country and in UAE representative missions abroad, to respond around the clock to emergencies called in by Emirati citizens overseas. The ministry dedicated a hotline for emergencies through the number 0097180024, for Emirati citizens to report emergencies. These are handled through a response system designed to provide support according to the highest standards, in coordination with the country's representative missions abroad and the concerned departments in the ministry, namely the call center, the operations center, the Nationals' Affairs department and all supporting local partners.

The Ministry is keen to provide effective, high-quality, state-of-the-art and cost-effective support to Emirati citizens abroad. This means that the right people with the right skills are in the right place and at the right time to provide the service. This also means strengthening partnerships and integration with the various concerned authorities in the country, in order to provide and simplify the experience of Emiratis abroad, according to the type of services they need, including, but not limited to, providing passport services and return documents in cooperation with the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship, Customs and Port Security, entirely through digital channels.  Another service worth mentioning in this context, is the telemedicine service offered in coordination with the Dubai Health Authority, which has been implemented to ensure effective communication and citizens' safety throughout the period of infection with Covid-19 while overseas.

 MoFAIC's scope also extends to providing judicial and security support to Emiratis citizens in partnership with the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Interior, in accordance with relevant international treaties and conventions. One should also mention plans developed with the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority, which are activated according to a system that brings together all concerned parties when sensing the occurrence of a natural, political or health crisis wherever an Emirati citizen is located around the world. Perhaps what happened during the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic with travel bans around the world constitutes the greatest evidence of the outcome of these plans: 166 repatriation operations benefited more than 4,000 citizens who were stranded across 61 countries. The Ministry was keen to provide social and humanitarian support for the families of citizens who were abroad and facilitate their return and integration into the UAE society, through cooperation with the Ministry of Community Development and charitable entities in the country.

Above all, in the country of no impossibilities, it is crucial not to simply adopt best practices in serving citizens overseas, but to develop bold solutions driven by innovative mechanisms, to provide proactive and swift services, considering the provision of digital services available to UAE nationals around the clock.