The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is enhancing its international relations and partnerships, actively engaging with nations such as Italy, New Zealand, and Turkiye. These diplomatic movements aim to strengthen cooperation across defense, energy, and humanitarian sectors, reflecting UAE's ambitions on the global stage.
UAE President Mohammed Bin Zayed is set to visit Rome for high-level meetings on February 23-24, following Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's recent diplomatic push to Abu Dhabi. This visit signifies deepening cooperation between the two nations
During Meloni’s visit to the UAE, several cooperation agreements were signed, including significant energy deals with Albania, marking the strengthening of economic and security ties within the Indo-Mediterranean region. We are witnessing UAE-Italy relations reaching what Ebtesam Al-Ketbi, President of the Emirates Policy Center (EPC), describes as "a new strategic level."
Al-Ketbi elaborates on collaboration, particularly noting partnerships between UAE's ADNOC and Italy’s Eni, which are broadening from oil and gas to include renewable energy projects. This cooperation extends to the defense sector, with Italy’s Leonardo remaining a key supplier to the UAE Armed Forces.
Meloni's March visit to the UAE marked a turning point, bringing much-needed political and economic dialogue after previous divergences between the two nations. Mohammed Baharoon, Director of the Dubai Public Policy Research Center (b’huth), emphasized the importance of shifting UAE-Italy relations beyond bilateral confines, proposing the partnership as the basis for trilateral and regional alliances, especially with focuses on Africa and East Asia.
While Italy prioritizes engagements with Eastern Europe, UAE maintains its focus on Africa, creating unique opportunities for strategic partnerships. President Bin Zayed's upcoming visit not only emphasizes shared Indo-Mediterranean priorities but also suggests potential collaborative initiatives within global infrastructure, cyber resilience, and trade.
On another front, the UAE is also reinforcing its long-standing ties with New Zealand. During discussions, UAE top diplomat Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan welcomed Winston Peters and explored ways to bolster collaboration across various sectors. Both nations aim for comprehensive development, as highlighted by their representatives during the meeting.
A significant outcome of this engagement was the signing of a Memorandum of Arrangement for Scientific Cooperation focused on Antarctica. This agreement reflects the mutual commitment of both nations to scientific progress and environmental responsibility.
Meanwhile, the UAE is expressing interest in defense collaborations, particularly with Turkiye's KAAN fighter jet project. Reports from Turkish media indicate strong engagement with UAE officials expressing intent to work with Turkish defense firms. TAI’s CEO, Mehmet Demiroglu, noted deepening interest and potential partnerships related to the KAAN project.
These discussions align with previous engagements as the UAE explores collaborations on projects such as the ATAK 1 helicopter and the ANKA-3 combat drone, signaling significant defense cooperation with Ankara.
Lastly, the geopolitics of the UAE stretches beyond mere diplomatic ties. The country has shown unwavering commitment to humanitarian efforts, particularly concerning the conflict-ridden Sudan. Shahad Matar, Deputy Permanent Representative of the UAE to the UN, emphasized their generous contributions during the joint launch of the UN's humanitarian response plans for Sudan.
Since the onset of the Sudanese crisis, the UAE has pledged $600.4 million to support humanitarian efforts, which includes additional commitments of $200 million announced during the latest high-level humanitarian conference.
Underlining its humanitarian values, Matar stated: "The additional aid reflects the UAE’s unwavering commitment to support the brotherly Sudanese people." The UAE’s consistent support embodies its objective of fostering regional stability and providing humanitarian assistance where needed.
Through these dynamic international engagements, the UAE demonstrates its strategy of marrying national interests with broader humanitarian aims, all centering on advancing stability across various regions.