The UAE President’s visit marks a significant moment in the more than 50-year-old bilateral relationship between the two countries.
President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s state visit to the United States marks a pivotal moment in the history of the two countries’ enduring bilateral relationship that began more than 50 years ago.
Read more: UAE President Sheikh Mohammed visits US on Monday to further strengthen bilateral ties
Strengthening strategic partnerships
WAM reported that the visit highlights the strategic partnership between the two friendly countries, which has been characterized by a strong and stable relationship since its inception. The UAE remains a key ally of the United States, both regionally and globally.
Engaging in a global dialogue
Furthermore, the visit reflects the UAE’s commitment to foster partnerships, encourage dialogue, and establish effective and balanced relations based on trust, confidence and mutual respect with countries around the world, all with the aim of enhancing international stability, peace, and prosperity for all.
A multifaceted relationship
The UAE-US relationship is fundamentally strategic, and the two countries are committed to continued cooperation to enhance regional security, promote economic growth and address global challenges.
Areas of cooperation
Cooperation between the two countries spans multiple fields, including development, politics, security, economy, trade and defence. The numerous economic and security partnerships between the two countries were strengthened through the Abraham Accords of 2019.
Diplomatic Foundation
Diplomatic relations between the UAE and the United States were established shortly after the UAE’s founding in 1971, with the UAE Embassy opening in Washington in 1974 and the US Embassy opening in Abu Dhabi the same year.
Strengthening economic relations
The strong economic ties between the two countries are reflected in a strong increase in non-oil trade (excluding services), which is expected to surge from $23.8 billion in 2022 to $39.5 billion in 2023.
Trade growth and investment
In 2023, the UAE’s imports from the US increased to $25.9 billion from $21.3 billion in 2022. Meanwhile, the UAE’s exports to the US increased to $3.9 billion in 2023 from $3.2 billion in 2022. Additionally, the UAE’s re-exports to the US increased to $9.6 billion in 2023 from $8.2 billion the previous year.
Investment Trends
Between 2018 and 2023, UAE investment in the US is set to total $3.7 billion, while US investment in the UAE is set to reach $9.5 billion. Key sectors for UAE investment in the US include renewable energy, communications, energy, real estate, software services and information technology.
Advances in Technology and AI
This year has seen several cooperation agreements in the field of technology and artificial intelligence. In June, Worldwide Technology (WWT), a prominent US technology integration company, partnered with NXT Global to establish the UAE’s first AI Integration Centre in Abu Dhabi’s Masdar City, one of the world’s most sustainable urban developments.
Continued investment in innovation
Microsoft announced a strategic investment of $1.5 billion in G42 in April, further strengthening cooperation in artificial intelligence and technology.
Space Exploration Cooperation
The UAEโs launch of the Hope Probe in 2021 significantly strengthened scientific cooperation in space exploration between the UAE and the US. This partnership was further demonstrated by the UAEโs recent asteroid belt exploration mission conducted in collaboration with the University of Colorado Boulder.
Contribution to lunar exploration
Additionally, the UAE is playing a key role in NASA’s Lunar Gateway project, where it will build a special airlock module for astronauts and scientists. The UAE also plans to send the country’s first astronauts into lunar orbit, as announced in June, with the airlock module scheduled to be launched by 2030.
Climate change initiatives
Climate action has become a key pillar of the productive partnership between our two countries, as exemplified by the Partnership for Clean Energy Acceleration (PACE), which aims to mobilize $100 billion to generate 100 gigawatts of renewable energy by 2035.
Promoting sustainable agriculture
Additionally, the UAE co-leads, together with the US, the Agricultural Innovation Mission for Climate (AIM for Climate), which engages more than 50 countries and over 500 partners to advance sustainable agricultural practices. Masdar also funds 11 clean energy initiatives in the US, including the Big Bow project near Los Angeles.
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