The state visit of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), to Italy on February 23-24, 2025, marked a monumental step forward in the bilateral relationships between the two nations. This historic visit resulted in the signing of over 40 significant agreements aimed at fostering diplomatic and economic cooperation for the future.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni welcomed Sheikh Mohamed with open arms at Palazzo Chigi, emphasizing the deep historical ties and the remarkable progress made since her visit to the UAE in March 2023, which elevated the bilateral relations to a Strategic Partnership. During her address at the Italy-UAE Business Forum held at the Parco dei Principi Hotel, Meloni characterized the day as one of extraordinary importance, asserting, “Today is truly an extraordinary day for Italy, for the United Arab Emirates, for our common work, for our friendship: we have written a splendid and unprecedented page in our common history.”
The newly minted agreements encompass various sectors, with noteworthy commitments from the UAE to invest $40 billion across key sectors such as advanced manufacturing, energy, artificial intelligence (AI), and underwater technologies. This substantial investment showcases the growing economic ties between the two countries, with total non-oil bilateral trade projected to reach $11.7 billion as of 2023.
Meloni firmly stated her government’s intention to concentrate efforts on addressing pressing global challenges through enhanced cooperation. “We want to focus our work with the United Arab Emirates on issues central to the coming years: the development of artificial intelligence to renewable energy and rare earths,” she highlighted during her forum speech, underlining the intent to establish long-term partnerships.
The visit cemented existing collaborations and initiated new ventures, particularly with energy sectors and technological advancements. Among the significant agreements struck was the collaboration between Italy’s ENI and UAE firms MGX and G42, aiming to develop state-of-the-art data centers to manage substantial data capacities and integrate sustainable energy solutions. These data centers are envisioned to support the UAE's ambitions to innovate and expand its technological infrastructure.
Other key emphasis points from the visit also included the importance of defending global interests through joint military and security cooperation, which encompasses not just technology transfer but also strategizing across various sectors. A defense cooperation agreement was signed to bolster military collaboration between the Italian armed forces and UAE, enhancing security stability across the region.
One of the forum's highlights was the opportunity for over 200 economic actors from both nations to convene, creating new avenues for business and collaboration. Meloni underscored the importance of fostering these connections, stating how such partnerships would lead the countries to share significant elements of their developmental journeys together.
Further illustrating the importance of cultural exchange, both nations committed to enhancing the mobility of students, tourists, and business professionals, thereby strengthening their sociocultural ties. The contributions of the Italian community within the UAE and Emirati nationals residing in Italy were celebrated as cornerstones of the cultural partnership between the two nations.
Looking forward, both leaders expressed enthusiasm about the potential to leverage each other’s strengths, particularly emphasizing science and technology. They reiterated their commitment to mutual cooperation on advanced technologies, including AI, space exploration, and environmental sustainability.
The leaders also acknowledged the recent signing of the Tripartite Strategic Partnership Framework between Italy, the UAE, and Albania, aiming to promote renewable energy cooperation through joint projects and investments. This agreement is expected to bolster regional energy security and connectivity, reinforcing shared climate goals.
The visit of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed not only underscored the strategic significance of Italy as the UAE's second European partner but also recognized the historic investments and collaboration across various sectors, including defense. Both leaders committed to exploring ample opportunities for cooperation with other partners, particularly at the global level, for shared prosperity and development.
By focusing on education, technology transfer, and sustainable practices, the collaboration between Italy and the UAE is likely to yield fruitful advancements not only for their respective nations but also for broader global issues such as climate change and socio-economic development.
Giorgia Meloni concluded, noting this visit was not merely about formal agreements but the forging of long-lasting partnerships, reflecting shared visions to address contemporary challenges and build lasting prosperity. "This deep cooperation will transform those who were apparently distant partners," said Meloni, setting the tone for future endeavors.