UAE-UK inaugural strategic dialogue: key takeaways

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, was in the UK for the inaugural strategic dialogue with his British counterpart James Cleverly MP, Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland. The bilateral dialogue was held in London on May 15.

The UAE-UK strategic dialogue builds on the 2021 visit of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, during which both countries’ leaders had agreed to establish a partnership for the future.

The UAE delegation included Dr Anwar Gargash, Diplomatic Adviser to the UAE President; Majid Al Suwaidi, Director-General and Special Representative of COP28 and other senior ministers and diplomats, as per the state news agency, WAM.

Abdullah bin Zayed and @JamesCleverly chaired the first round of the Strategic Dialogue between ?? & ??, both sides affirmed their commitment to continue joint coordination across various sectors and exchanged views on issues of common interest. pic.twitter.com/Fs5APvBBRv

— OFM (@OFMUAE) May 16, 2023

Strengthening relationship through strategic dialogue

The strategic dialogue underscored the strength of the bilateral relationship, the shared history, and enduring commitment to deepening ties and enhancing people-to-people relations, stated the joint communique released after the meet.

The ministers reiterated their commitment to growing their relationship and welcomed the strengthening partnership across a range of sectors. Both sides welcomed the inaugural strategic dialogue as an important moment in the bilateral relationship.

UAE-UK Trade ties

The UAE-UK strategic dialogue highlighted the historical trade linkages between the two nations which include vital sectors such as aviation, energy and the growing clean energy sector. They noted the success of increased trade in goods and services between the two countries, currently at an all-time high of £21.6bn during the four quarters to the end of Q4 2022.

COP28

The ministers discussed the importance of an inclusive and ambitious agenda for the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) to be held at Expo City Dubai in November 2023.

As per the joint communique released after the meeting, both ministers reiterated the importance of a robust and unified response to the Global Stocktake. They also reiterated the need to close the ambition gaps in mitigation, adaptation, loss and damage, and climate finance in order to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement, including keeping 1.5C in reach; and to halt and reverse global forest and biodiversity loss.

Dialogue for the future

The two countries are preparing to participate in the 8th session of the UAE-UK Joint Economic Committee (JEC) scheduled for later this year.  The two sides will also meet in 2023 for the fourth round of the UK-GCC FTA negotiations, which will be hosted by the UK.

The ministers reiterated their country’s commitment towards solidifying the cooperation in the field of illicit finance, under the umbrella of the UAE-UK Partnership to Tackle Illicit Financial Flows, which was signed in September 2021.

Today’s meeting between HH @ABZayed and @energygovuk Minister @grantshapps made clear the deep friendship between our two nations, and the diverse opportunities we can embark upon together to invest in a stronger, more sustainable world for the future. pic.twitter.com/KHSKQUIlcV

— UAE Embassy UK (@UAEEmbassyUK) May 17, 2023

The strategic dialogue was followed by Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan meeting with other senior British leaders such as Grant Shapps, Secretary of State for Energy Security and David Lammy, the Shadow Foreign Secretary.

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Image credit: MOFAIC