UAE and Ireland discuss ways to boost cooperation in various fields

Reem Bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation, and Dr Thani Bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade, received Helen McEntee, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Minister for Defence of Ireland, in Abu Dhabi, during the Irish Minister's first tour of the Arab Gulf region since assuming office, with the aim of further enhancing bilateral relations between the two countries and discussing areas of mutual interest.

During the meeting, the two sides underlined the steady growth of relations between the UAE and Ireland, spanning more than 50 years, and discussed ways to deepen cooperation across a range of fields, including trade and investment, renewable energy, and financial services.

They also highlighted the strength of people-to-people ties between the two countries, noting that the UAE is home to more than 200 nationalities, including a vibrant Irish community of more than 14,000 people.

In light of Ireland's assumption of the Presidency of the Council of the European Union for the second half of 2026, the two sides noted that the Presidency presents an opportunity to further strengthen ties between the UAE and the European Union in support of shared goals of stability, development, and prosperity, and underscored the importance of bringing the negotiations on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between the UAE and the European Union to a successful conclusion.

On the economic front, the two sides reviewed the growth in bilateral non-oil trade, which reached $1.2 billion in 2024, up from $694 million in 2019, and welcomed the establishment of the UAE–Ireland Joint Economic Committee, whose inaugural meeting was held in Abu Dhabi in December 2025, as a platform to expand trade and investment and to enhance private-sector engagement between the two countries.

The two sides discussed the latest regional developments, including the situation in the Arab Gulf and the security of international navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. They welcomed the constructive role of Ireland and the European Union in supporting regional stability.

McEntee underscored the importance of maintaining regional stability and ensuring the security of navigation in international waterways.

The meeting was attended by a number of officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, along with members of the Irish Minister’s accompanying delegation and representatives of the Embassy of Ireland in the UAE.

In December 2025,Saeed Al Hajeri, Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, welcomed Peter Burke TD, the Republic of Ireland’s Minister of Enterprise, Trade, and Employment, to Abu Dhabi for the inaugural meeting of the UAE-Ireland Joint Economic Committee (JEC).

This was the first meeting to be held since the JEC was announced in April of this year. The gathering brought together government officials, business leaders, and private sector representatives from both countries to explore collaborative opportunities to deepen economic ties.

In his opening remarks, Al Hajeri underscored the constructive role of the JEC as a platform for ongoing dialogue and partnership, focusing on key sectors where both nations have shared objectives, such as technology, renewable energy, agribusiness, life sciences, and sustainable infrastructure. He stressed the importance of collaboration to stimulate and enhance bilateral economic ties, and to create a conducive environment for two-way investment and innovation-driven growth.

“The Joint Economic Committee demonstrates our shared commitment to enhance collaboration between our nations and provides a crucial opportunity to further strengthen our economic partnership. We are eager to explore and create new opportunities for our private sectors that will benefit both our nations and drive forward our shared ambitions. By leveraging the UAE's dynamic business ecosystem and strategic location as a global hub, together we can facilitate increased trade and investment, unlocking significant growth that will enable our businesses to thrive,” Al Hajeri said

Peter Burke TD said: “Our relationship with the UAE is one which we greatly value and this first Joint Economic Commission meeting is a key opportunity to grow and develop the links between both countries. Ireland is fully committed to growing trade, investment and tourism links between our two countries, providing new opportunities for our SMEs and working to progress key areas of cooperation through the shifting global trading landscape.”

The JEC was attended by high-level figures from the AE, including Omran Sharaf, Assistant Foreign Minister for Advanced Science and Technology at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Mohammed Al Shamsi, UAE Ambassador to Ireland; Fahad Al Gergawi, Undersecretary at the Ministry of Foreign Trade; Humaid bin Salem, Secretary General at the UAE Chambers; and Raja Al Mazrouei, CEO of Etihad Credit Insurance.

On the Irish side, the JEC was attended by several other senior government officials including His Excellency Robert Troy TD, Minister of State at the Department of Finance, and Darragh O'Brien TD, Minister for Climate, Energy, and Environment, along with around 30 officials and representatives from various business and economic entities in Ireland, and representatives from the Emirati public and private sectors.

A business roundtable meeting between private sector representatives from the UAE and Ireland followed the JEC.

In his opening remarks to welcome participants, Al Hajeri emphasised the importance of collaboration to enhance investment flows and encouraged Irish investors to capitalise on the innumerable opportunities available as part of the UAE’s ongoing drive to diversify and grow its knowledge-based economy.

WAM