ABU DHABI–
The United Arab Emirates and the African Union today marked a productive deepening of their strategic partnership during an official mission by H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), in Abu Dhabi.
Key Outcomes
H.E. Chairperson Youssouf was warmly received by H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs & Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE.
In addition, he held consultative meetings with:
• H.E. Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs
• H.E. Reem Bint Ebrahim Al Hashim, Minister of state for international cooperation
• Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber , the Former Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, and the Director General (DG) of ADNOC
UAE and the AUC held their first round of political consultations in Abu Dhabi, building on earlier forums. These consultations focused on aligning mutual priorities and establishing mechanisms for sustained cooperation.
Both sides explored collaboration in several key domains:
· Economic development, trade, and investment
· Renewable and green energy
· Infrastructure, technology, and digital transformation
· Health, education, and human capital development
· Peace, security, mediation, and stabilization efforts, including in Somalia, Sudan, the DRC, and the Sahel region.
To ensure impact and follow-through, both parties agreed on the establishment of joint working groups tasked with implementing priority cooperation areas and maintaining regular high-level dialogue.
The African Union and the United Arab Emirates representatives in a discussion in Abu Dhabi today
Chairperson Youssouf expressed his gratitude to H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan for the invitation and reaffirmed the African Union’s commitment to a partnership with the UAE anchored in mutual respect and shared interests.
This visit signals a strengthening of ties between the African Union and the UAE at a time when cooperation on sustainable development, energy transition, peace, and security is more critical than ever.
Both sides emphasised that such partnerships are essential to achieving the aspirations of Agenda 2063 for Africa, and the UAE’s vision for regional and international cooperation.
Credit: AU
