What does it take to redefine government services in a rapidly changing world? The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) is boldly stepping up to this challenge. Through strategic integrations and innovative solutions, MoFA is not just participating in the evolution of public services; it's leading the way. This ambitious approach aligns with the national vision for a smarter, more connected government-one that prioritizes simplicity, efficiency, and transparency, paving the path toward a brighter future.

For decades, the UAE government has been on a journey to digital transformation, moving from paper-based operations to online solutions, making the service of humanity the driving force behind change and innovation. Since laying the groundwork with foundational digital infrastructure in the 1990s, the UAE has achieved numerous milestones, emerging as a digital-first nation where its pursuit of excellence and agility exemplifies a model of flexible and forward-thinking government operations.

From launching its e-Government in 2001, to announcing the Smart Government Strategy in 2013, and launching the Government Charter for Future Services in 2020, the UAE stands today as a leader in government service innovation.

Commitment to digital transformation is a core element of MoFA's initiatives. The Ministry has been actively leveraging advanced technology, encompassing digital tools and platforms-to deliver services that are user-friendly, seamless, and secure, placing the needs of individuals and businesses at the center of everything we do. This approach allows users to access MoFA services conveniently from their homes or offices. It also allows for data collection and sophisticated analytics to support decision-making and foster two-way communication with end users.

A notable initiative has been MoFA's integration of its document attestation service with digital services offered by government partners. This collaboration enables proactive digital attestation of official documents directly through the digital channels of these entities, therefore, contributing to advancing the country's global ranking in the Single Window Connectivity indicator.

This endeavor initiated with MoFA's electronic Documents Attestation System (eDAS) for the attestation of commercial invoices and certificates of origin, in 2023. Several technical integrations with a number of federal and local government entities, as well as banks around the UAE, allowed for seamless data sharing and expedited processes. The shift to eDAS 2.0 in 2024, including major changes in the attestation process, have reduced the service time from 12 minutes to just 2 minutes.

In February 2024, the same technology was applied to the attestation of birth and death certificates issued by the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP), allowing customers to obtain both certificates with the digital seals of MoHAP, MoFA, and the UAE Embassy in the selected country of their destination in mere minutes, through a single digital service delivery channel. Customers can thus opt to obtain a comprehensive government service without the need to visit the websites of the concerned authorities separately.

 In July 2024, a collaboration with the Emirates Schools Establishment (ESE) enabled customers to obtain three government transactions in one procedure through a unified online platform, providing MoFA and UAE Embassy attestation for public education school certificates. This integration process reduced service completion time from 6 days to 3 minutes, as the transaction delivery time was 3 days inside the UAE and 3 days abroad. It also eliminated courier service costs.

Another testament to MoFA's commitment to digital transformation, the Smart Mission project-launched by HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs in March 2023-redefines consular services with speed, efficiency, and seamless integration. By working closely with key government entities, including the Ministry of Interior, the initiative has introduced facial recognition technology, allowing UAE nationals and residents to access services swiftly. Since its launch, over 1,500 documents, encompassing both individual and commercial transactions, with a 97% accuracy rate. A key distinction of the system is its ability to intelligently differentiate between various document types, ensuring precise processing without human intervention and significantly reducing service time from two days to just three minutes.

Beyond attestation, the Smart Mission streamlines processes across multiple entities, cutting employee procedures from ten steps to one and eliminating unnecessary bureaucracy. It is also among the first diplomatic missions to implement fully automated document attestation without human intervention. Recognized for its impact, the project has earned two prestigious awards, the UAE AI Award 2024 and the Zero Bureaucracy Award 2025. More than a technological upgrade, the Smart Mission is a shift toward faster, smarter, and more accessible services.

These initiatives mark the beginning of a series of technical and digital integrations set to be launched in 2024 and 2025 that will provide exceptional human-centered consular services in alignment with the objectives of the "Zero Government Bureaucracy Programme" initiated by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai.

This pioneering initiative, the first of its kind globally, underscores a cohesive strategy to provide integrated and secure digital attestation services around the clock. It significantly represents the UAE's endeavors to investing in digital innovation and governance, and positioning new global standards in governmental efficiency.

The Ministry's efforts to streamline document attestation services through eDAS and the technical integration with various entities have significantly improved operational efficiency and sustainability. Over 1 million transactions have been processed, reducing the need for human intervention by 80%. As a result, more than 50% of the total number of attested documents are now processed through eDAS, with projections showing this figure could reach 89% by 2025. The sustainability impact is equally impressive, with 1.3 million sheets of paper saved (equivalent to 142 trees) and a reduction of approximately 10.03 tons of CO2 emissions. Furthermore, compliance with attestation requirements has dramatically improved, rising from 6% to 98%.

Looking forward, MoFA's strategy from 2023 to 2026 is set to elevate the UAE's diplomatic and consular influence and optimize government interactions through digital channels. The strategy articulates the goal of promoting the position of the UAE as a global leader in innovation and advanced technology as well elevating international cooperation and consular services.