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‘Two-plus-One’ Dialogue: UAE as a Bridge in Potential Trilateral Cooperation with China and India

The evolving global order has placed increasing importance on partnerships among emerging powers, particularly within the Global South. In this context, cooperation first between China and India, and then extending this cooperation to a trilateral format with the UAE as a bridge, is a proposition that shows great promise. By drawing on the insights of a Track 2 team of experts from China, India, and the UAE who convened for a meeting in Beijing, this Working Paper argues that such a pragmatic coalition offers a blueprint for post-hegemonic cooperation, where diverse powers build trust through shared action rather than declarations. To establish this coalition, the Working Paper recommends initiatives such as forming a ‘China-India-UAE Strategic Economic Dialogue’ and engaging Chinese, Indian, and Emirati youth.

Interfaith Dialogue: Seeking Common Ground and Building Trust

This working paper analyses the historical evolution and contemporary significance of interfaith dialogue as a complement to modern diplomacy. It shows how inter-religious engagement can reduce mistrust, foster coexistence, and provide pathways for reconciliation where other political tools fall short. Highlighting major milestones from antiquity to the present, it also examines recent examples, including the UAE’s interfaith efforts, in institutionalizing interfaith diplomacy. The paper concludes with policy recommendations to strengthen global frameworks for religious tolerance and peacebuilding.

2025 Women in Diplomacy Index

The 2025 Women in Diplomacy Index maps the percentage of women ambassadors and permanent representatives (PRs) to the United Nations globally. Results show that in 2025, the percentage share of women ambassadors and PRs globally increased by 1.5 percentage points to 22.5% in the 164 states that we were able to track. While this indicates steady progress from 2023 and 2024, where the global average of women ambassadors was 21%, , the 2025 result shows that women remain underrepresented in top diplomatic posts worldwide. In 2025, our data found that theincrease in women ambassadors happened in all regions, except in Asia. Regionally, the Americas and Europe have the highest average of women ambassadors and permanent representatives, at 29%, an increase from 28% for the Americas and from 27% for Europe in 2024. Africa’s percentage share of women ambassadors increased to 22% in 2025, up from 20% in 2024. Asia’s share of women ambassadors dropped to 13% in 2025 – it was 14% in 2024, while in the Middle East and North Africa region, the percentage share of women ambassadors rose to 11% in 2025, up from 10% in 2023 and 2024, driven by increases in Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Iraq. Country specific results indicate that Belize, Liechtenstein and New Zealand have reached gender equality in their top diplomatic posts, with 50% of their ambassadors being women in 2025.