UAE reaffirms global trade hub leadership at GLOBSEC Forum

Dr. Thani Bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister for Foreign Trade, participated in ‘The Ripple Effect: How the Iran War is Shaping Global Economies and Politics’ panel at the GLOBSEC Forum 2026 in Prague, outlining the UAE’s response to the disruption of global trade routes and reaffirming the country’s position as a stable and resilient trade hub.

Addressing senior policymakers, business leaders, and international officials, Al Zeyoudi detailed the immediate and structural measures the UAE has implemented since the onset of the conflict, including the activation of alternative trade corridors, including the UAE’s eastern ports of Fujairah and Khorfakkan, air freight bridges for time-critical pharmaceutical and food cargo, a Green Corridor with Oman, and a new Sharjah-Dammam trade bridge.

Al Zeyoudi also noted that the UAE also deployed an Dhs1 billion economic support fund to ensure business continuity and targeted relief for SMEs, alongside a Five-Pillar Financial Institution Resilience Package launched by the Central Bank to sustain credit flows.

“The fundamental redesign of Gulf logistics that we were undertaking over a decade is now being compressed into years,” said Al Zeyoudi. “What this moment has done is accelerate the timelines of existing plans, and underscore the wisdom of building an open, diversified, and resilient trade architecture before it is needed.”

On the UAE’s long-term trade vision, Al Zeyoudi affirmed that the country’s Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) programme - which has produced 36 agreements with partners across six continents and contributed to non-oil foreign trade of US$1.03 trillion in 2025 - remains a vital avenue for the UAE to continue positive momentum in its foreign trade.

“Nothing that we have achieved in the last five years has been undone or unwound,” said Al Zeyoudi. “The UAE is a bridge to high-growth markets across the Gulf, Africa and Asia, and a partner for trade, logistics, investment and technology. That role has not diminished. It has become more important.”

The United Arab Emirates participated in the GLOBSEC Forum 2026, held in Prague, Czech Republic, from 21 to 23 May 2026, as part of a high-level delegation led by His Highness Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Lana Zaki Nusseibeh, Minister of State, took part in high-level discussions at the Forum on global security, defense, technology, and the changing international order, reflecting the UAE’s continued engagement with key international forums and its commitment to multilateral dialogue.

On the sidelines of the Forum, Nusseibeh held a series of bilateral meetings with senior European and international counterparts focused on strengthening bilateral relations, exploring opportunities for cooperation, and exchanging views on regional and global developments.

Nusseibeh met with Anita Orbán, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Hungary, with the meeting highlighting the growing bilateral ties between the UAE and Hungary, and the shared commitment to expanding cooperation in areas including trade and investment, energy transition, advanced technology, artificial intelligence, and defense. The two sides exchanged perspectives on key regional and international issues of mutual interest.

Nusseibeh also met with Ferit Hoxha, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Albania, with the two sides reaffirming the strong ties between the UAE and Albania and discussing prospects for advancing cooperation across areas including infrastructure, renewable energy, innovation, tourism, and coordination in multilateral forums. They also exchanged views on developments in the Middle East and efforts to promote regional stability and security.

The UAE’s participation in GLOBSEC 2026 underscores its commitment to advancing international dialogue, building constructive partnerships, and contributing to collective efforts to address shared global challenges.

Meanwhile Dr. Thani Bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade, participated in the Gateway Gulf Investment Forum, held in Manama, Bahrain in November 2025.

The important annual event held discussions on navigating uncertainties in global markets and the geopolitical shifts that are redrawing the global economic map.

During his participation, Al Zeyoudi took part in a session titled ‘Navigating Uncertainty in Global Markets’, where he discussed how global uncertainty around tariffs and trade policy are impacting access to capital and risk appetites for financial and investment authorities globally, specifically in the GCC.

He was joined in the panel discussion by Sheikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Minister of Finance and National Economy for the Kingdom of Bahrain and Alderman Alastair King, Lord Mayor of the City of London.

WAM