UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Launches First Smart Mission Abroad

The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) has taken a groundbreaking step by launching the first Smart Mission in Seoul, South Korea. This innovative initiative aims to provide full consular services round the clock, utilizing cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI). The mission was introduced during the visit of President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to South Korea, with the goal of strengthening cooperation between the UAE and South Korea across various sectors.

The launch event was attended by key officials including Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade; Hong Seok-in, Ambassador and Deputy Minister for Public Diplomacy in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of South Korea; Khaled Abdullah Belhoul, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Faisal Lutfi, Assistant Undersecretary for Consular Affairs; and Abdullah Saif Al Nuaimi, UAE Ambassador to South Korea.

The UAE Smart Mission in Korea is part of an initiative aligned with the “UAE National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence” and the “UAE Strategy for Government Services”. The mission aims to provide consular services using advanced technologies, AI, and sophisticated solutions to streamline processes and enhance customer satisfaction. To ensure seamless integration with government entities, the initiative has been implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior and connected to supportive back-end systems managing the services provided in the mission. Additionally, national companies have been engaged to deploy the latest AI technologies and ensure continuous updates.

The Smart Mission in Seoul offers a wide range of consular services, including document authentication, issuance of return documents, Tawajudi registration, and addressing urgent concerns of UAE nationals. Moreover, UAE nationals can make inquiries and receive real-time responses through a hologram service available in Arabic, Korean, and English.

Abdullah Saif Al Nuaimi, UAE Ambassador to South Korea, emphasized the significance of launching the Seoul Smart Consulate as the first mission globally to leverage modern technology for providing consular services. He highlighted that this pioneering step reflects the commitment of the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs to enhance customer experience by utilizing the latest technologies to facilitate procedures in UAE missions worldwide.

The introduction of the Smart Mission in Seoul marks a significant milestone in the application of AI to enhance consular services and improve efficiency. This initiative underscores the UAE’s commitment to leveraging technology to better serve its citizens and enhance diplomatic relations with countries around the world.

The launch of the Smart Mission in Seoul has garnered attention for its innovative approach to providing consular services and its use of advanced technologies. This initiative sets a new standard for diplomatic missions worldwide and showcases the UAE’s leadership in embracing AI to enhance customer experience and streamline processes.