Malaysian diplomats encouraged to document their experiences to be used as reference material - Saifuddin

PUTRAJAYA: Heads of Malaysian missions or diplomats serving in foreign countries are encouraged to publish their respective experiences through essays or journals so that they can be used as reference material by young researchers and diplomats, said Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah.

He said writing is one way for diplomats to be recognised as 'subject matter experts' in various fields such as maritime, technology or climate change.

"We need this kind of publication in order to share knowledge with others like researchers and academics, besides being training modules for younger diplomats.

"Publication that is based on real experience of our own diplomats are of utmost importance," he said in a press conference after launching the Monograph titled "Focus In Continuity: A Framework for Malaysia's Foreign Policy in a Post-Pandemic World" at Wisma Putra, here, yesterday.

Saifuddin said efforts were also underway to collect the writings of Malaysian diplomats stationed in 85 countries to share their experiences in their respective host countries in dealing with the COVID-19 outbreak.

In addition, he also said that the diplomats could publish their respective experiences in rescuing Malaysians trapped in conflict-ridden countries such as Ukraine and in this way, they would be better prepared to deal with the conflict one at a time.

"We want to produce subject matter experts in climate change, technology, international architecture, maritime and women's empowerment," he said.

Commenting on the Monograph launched today, he said the objective of the monograph was to publicise the new Foreign Policy Framework, which was launched by the prime minister on Dec 7, 2021.

He said the publication of the monograph is a continuation of the extensive discussion that was undertaken by the Institute of Diplomacy and Foreign Relations (IDFR) together with the Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS).

The roundtable discussion broadcast was made in collaboration with Astro Awani and can be accessed on the YouTube channel under the title 'Focus in Continuity'.

-- BERNAMA