Foreign relations of the United Arab Emirates

The diplomatic foreign relations of the United Arab Emirates are conducted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

The United Arab Emirates has broad diplomatic and commercial relations with most countries of the world. Until its departure in 2026, the UAE played a significant role in OPEC, and remains one of the founding members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). The United Arab Emirates is a member of the United Nations and several of its specialized agencies, as well as the World Bank, IMF, Arab League, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and the Non-Aligned Movement. Also, it is an observer in the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie. Most countries have diplomatic missions in the capital Abu Dhabi with most consulates being in United Arab Emirates's largest and most populated city, Dubai.

Multilateral relations

UAE has joined the United Nations and the Arab League and has established diplomatic relations with more than 60 countries, including China, Japan, South Korea, Pakistan, Russia, India, Nepal, United States, and most Western European countries. It has played a moderate role within the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC), the United Nations, and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

The UAE believes that the Arab League needs to be restructured to become a viable institution, and would like to increase the strength and interoperability of the GCC defense forces.

The UAE is a member of the following international organizations: UN and several of its specialized agencies (ICAO, ILO, UPU, WHO, WIPO); World Bank, IMF, Arab League, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), OPEC, Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, and the Non-Aligned Movement.

In October 2010, the UAE was granted observer status at the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie.

As a result of the foreign policy of the UAE, the Emirati passport became the largest individual climber in Henley & Partners Passport Index in 2018 over the past decade, increasing its global rank by 28 places. According to the Henley Passport Index, as of 28 March 2019, Emirati citizens had visa-free or visa on arrival access to 165 countries and territories, ranking the Emirati passport 21st in the world in terms of travel freedom.

In July 2024, The UAE and Japan signed multiple agreements to enhance business ties, including a $3 billion green financing deal and cooperation on energy reserves. Bilateral trade reached $47.4 billion in 2023, with the UAE as Japan's top GCC trading partner and a major oil supplier.

In January 2025, the UAE condemned the 2025 Point Triple attack on Benin.

Diplomatic relations

List of countries which the United Arab Emirates maintains diplomatic relations with:

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Africa

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width:100%; margin:auto"

! style="width:15%;"| Country

! style="width:12%;"| Formal Relations Began

!Notes

|- valign="top"

|||6 July 1973||See Algeria–United Arab Emirates relations

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 6 July 1973 when UAE officials opened an embassy in Algiers The UAE and Egypt maintain a close economic ties and maintain trade between the two countries with imports and exports between the two sides.

|- valign="top"

|||28 June 1993

||Both countries established diplomatic relations on 28 June 1993

The United Arab Emirates has a military base in Assab.

|- valign="top"

|||5 May 1993

||Both countries established diplomatic relations on 5 May 1993 Economic ties have strengthened through growing trade, investment in sectors such as renewable energy, agro-industry, chemicals, aluminium, and pharmaceuticals, and the establishment of business offices and advisory initiatives to support Emirati investors. A bilateral currency swap agreement facilitates trade and financial integration, and in 2026 both countries reaffirmed their partnership, emphasizing collaboration on regional peace, security, development, and economic growth.

|- valign="top"

|||5 June 1982||See Kenya–United Arab Emirates relations

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|||6 May 2009||Both countries established diplomatic relations on 6 May 2009

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|||23 July 1973||

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 23 July 1973 The Abu Dhabi Fund for Development loaned Senegal $13 million to invest in rural solar energy.

The United Arab Emirates has an embassy in Mogadishu.

|- valign="top"

|December 1971

|See Sudan–United Arab Emirates relations

On 6 March 2025, Sudan filed a case against the UAE at the International Court of Justice, accusing the UAE of complicity in genocide by supporting the Rapid Support Forces, which are alleged to have committed atrocities against the Masalit people in Darfur. The Court dismissed the case on the grounds that it lacks prima facie jurisdiction.

Americas

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width:100%; margin:auto"

! style="width:15%;"| Country

! style="width:12%;"| Formal Relations Began

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|||8 January 1996||

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 8 January 1996.

Brazil has an embassy in Abu Dhabi.
The United Arab Emirates has an embassy in Brasília.

In 2023, President Lula da Silva visited the UAE, where he met with President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Abu Dhabi Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. In 2025, the countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding, establishing a partnership in which the UAE committed to invest US$2.5 billion in the rare minerals industry and energy transition in Brazil.

|- valign="top"

|||2 February 1974||See Canada–United Arab Emirates relations

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 2 February 1974

Canada has an embassy in Abu Dhabi and a consulate-general in Dubai.
The United Arab Emirates has an embassy in Ottawa.

|- valign="top"

|||23 June 1978||Both countries established diplomatic relations on 23 June 1978

The United Arab Emirates has an embassy in Mexico City.

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|||17 June 1986||

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 17 June 1986 Since 25 July 1994, a formal Defense Cooperation Agreement has been in place. Ten years later, despite publicly opposing the US led war in Iraq, the UAE permitted a minimal amount of US forces to support the operation from the Al Dhafra air base, Jebel Ali, and naval facilities at Fujairah. Enhancing security relations, has been a US arms sale in March 2000 to the Emirates, valued at $8 billion and included over $2 billion worth of weapons, munitions, and services.

A nuclear deal was signed between the US and the UAE meant to supply nuclear technology, expertise and fuel. Despite international opposition to neighboring Iran's nuclear developments, the US is confident of the UAE's compliance with the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty and the International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards to refrain from enriching uranium and extracting plutonium. It firmly believes this agreement "has the potential to usher in an era of responsible nuclear-energy development throughout the Middle East."

Commercially, the UAE is also the States' largest export market in the Middle East constituting $11.6 billion in exports annually. In March 2005, the US opened negotiations on a free trade agreement and despite intermittent depreciation of currencies in the Persian Gulf area, the UAE dirham remains pegged to the dollar. The two countries have also maintained close ties through an exchange of cultural and educational partnerships which include the Guggenheim Museum, and a number of American Universities opening campuses in the Emirates.

The United Arab Emirates has an embassy in Washington, DC and a consulate-general in Boston, Los Angeles, and New York City.
The United States has an embassy in Abu Dhabi and a consulate-general in Dubai.

Asia

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width:100%; margin:auto"

! style="width:15%;"| Country

! style="width:12%;"| Formal Relations Began

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|||6 April 1973|| See Afghanistan–United Arab Emirates relations

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 6 April 1973 In 2021, the US raised multiple warnings for the Emirates to move back in its growing relations with China. The Biden administration pushed the Emirates to abandon Huawei's telecommunication network, which was a potential threat to a crucial deal of F-35 fighter jet and other military equipment between the UAE and US. The US also warned the Emirates of a military facility that was secretly being built by China at a port near Abu Dhabi. The US intelligence warnings and multiple trips by the American officials to the UAE let to a halt in the construction of the facility.

China has an embassy in Abu Dhabi and a consulate-general in Dubai.
The United Arab Emirates has an embassy in Beijing and consulates-general in Hong Kong and Shanghai.
The UAE and China have been strong international allies, with significant cooperation across economic, political and cultural aspects.

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|||23 February 1972||See India–United Arab Emirates relations

UAE enjoys close economic and cultural relations with India. Close maritime contact between India and the Arabian Peninsula date back to 3rd and 2nd millennium BC. and textile and spice trade between the two countries flourished during most of 1st millennium AD.

The discovery of oil allowed the UAE to increase and diversify its trade relations with India. UAE and India are each other's main trading partners. The trade totals over $75 billion (AED275.25 billion). During the first half of 2010, non-oil trade between India and the UAE stood at US$20.4 billion. UAE is home to more than 3 million Indian expatriates, making Indians the largest ethnic group in the nation.

India has an embassy in Abu Dhabi and a consulate-general in Dubai.
The United Arab Emirates has an embassy in New Delhi.

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|||1976||See Indonesia–United Arab Emirates relations

The diplomatic relations between Indonesia and United Arab Emirates are friendly and cordial since they were established in 1976. Both Muslim majority countries, they each recognize the other's important role its respective region. Indonesia has an embassy in Abu Dhabi, while the United Arab Emirates has an embassy in Jakarta. Both countries are partners in multilateral organizations, such as the World Trade Organization (WTO), The Non-Aligned Movement and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

Indonesia uses the UAE as the main gate to enter the Persian Gulf and Middle East market, Indonesia's export to UAE is the largest in the Middle East. Indonesian Government has established the trade and investment representative office to promote its products in United Arab Emirates and the entire Middle East region.

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|||28 October 1972||See Iran–United Arab Emirates relations

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 28 October 1972

Iran and United Arab Emirates both claim three islands in the Persian Gulf (Abu Musa, Greater Tunb, and Lesser Tunb).

Following the escalation of tensions and armed exchanges between Iran and the United States and Israel, relations between Iran and the United Arab Emirates deteriorated. The Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters of the Iranian Armed Forces, which is led by commanders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), also warned Emirati leaders not to allow their country to become a "nest for the Americans and Zionists and their military equipment to betray the Islamic world and Muslims."

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|||1971||See Iraq–United Arab Emirates relations

The 1990 Iraqi invasion and occupation of Kuwait were a shock to the UAE.

On 31 July 2007 following Iraq victory of the Asian Cup, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vice-president and prime minister of the UAE awarded the Iraq national football team 20 million Dhs, ($5.2 million) for capturing the Asian Cup for the first time in the country's history.

|- valign="top"

|||15 September 2020||See Israel–United Arab Emirates relations

Israel has an embassy in Abu Dhabi and a consulate-general in Dubai.
The United Arab Emirates has an embassy in Tel Aviv.

The Abraham Agreement has opened a new window of opportunity for normalization between Israel and the UAE. However, some analysts, such as Salem Al Ketbi, reject "zero-sum arguments" and suggest that relations with Israel and Iran do not preclude each other.

As a response to the Gaza war, the UAE condemned Hamas for its "serious and grave escalation" and its hostage taking.

|- valign="top"

|1972

|Japan was one of the first countries to recognize the UAE as an independent country, officially establishing relations in 1972. The Emirati embassy was inaugurated in Tokyo in 1973 and Japan opened its embassy in Abu Dhabi in 1974. The relationship has traditionally relied on oil diplomacy, as Japan relies on imports. In 2025, the UAE supplied 52,1% of total imports. The UAE Space Agency has tapped Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to launch an asteroid exploration mission, expected to launch in 2028.

|1972

|See Jordan–United Arab Emirates relations

Jordan was the first country to recognize UAE after forming the union in 1971. The first commander in Chief in the UAE military was Jordanian, and the first commander in Zayed Military college was Jordanian as well. Making Jordan effectively one of a key partners of forming the UAE.

The relationship between UAE and Jordan dates to the 1950s, before UAE gain independence and form the union. Jordan at the time used to aid UAE with educational, military, and health care missions, when UAE was still a barren desert.

Jordan has an embassy in Abu Dhabi and a consulate-general in Dubai.
The United Arab Emirates has an embassy in Amman.

|1992

|In 2025 the UAE and Kazakhstan signed over $5 billion in deals, expanding ties in energy, tech, and infrastructure. This followed a 2023 strategic investment agreement and a surge in UAE investment in 2024.

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|||8 March 1972||See Kuwait–United Arab Emirates relations

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 8 March 1972 The countries established diplomatic relations in 1983.

In 2005 Malaysia's export to the UAE stood at Dh7 billion. Main export items were gold and jewellery, wood products (furniture and parts), palm oil, petroleum products and electrical appliances. In 2007, trade between Malaysia and UAE was worth MYR 14.56 billion making UAE, Malaysia's largest trading partner in West Asia as well as Malaysia being the 10th largest exporter to UAE. In 2009, Malaysian ambassador Datuk Yahaya Abdul Jabar said total trade between Malaysia and UAE from January to November stood at RM19.5 billion. Malaysia's main exports to the UAE are jewellery, consumer electronics and palm oil.

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|||1 April 1973||See Oman–United Arab Emirates relations

Both countries established full diplomatic relations on 1 April 1973 Sheikh Zayed International Airport in Rahim Yar Khan, in the Punjab province of Pakistan is an example of UAE's economic assistance as the late president and the founder of the UAE Sheikh Zayed donated the airport to the government of Pakistan.

UAE has emerged as one of Pakistan's major economic and trading partners. A large number of Pakistani expatriates, numbering nearly 1.2 million are gainfully employed in UAE.

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|||1975||See Qatar–United Arab Emirates relations

Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1975. In June 2023, both countries reopened their embassies and appointed ambassadors in July and August.

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|||21 August 1974||See Saudi Arabia–United Arab Emirates relations

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 21 August 1974.

The United Arab Emirates has an embassy in Seoul.

|- valign = "top"

| 19 January 1972

|See Syria–United Arab Emirates relations

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 19 January 1972

|- valign="top"

|||21 March 1973||See Turkey–United Arab Emirates relations

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 21 March 1973 Turkmenistan has an embassy in Abu Dhabi and a consulate-general in Dubai. The UAE has an embassy in Ashgabat.

|- valign="top"

|||1 August 1993||See United Arab Emirates–Vietnam relations

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 1 August 1993 France and the UAE have signed a defence cooperation agreement in order to diversity its procurement from solely the US. a plan is in the works to recreate a miniature Lyon city in Dubai complete with public squares, restaurants and museums.

On 25 May 2009, the French president Nicolas Sarkozy visited the UAE, Abu Dhabi where he along with UAE's president Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan formally opened a French military base in the United Arab Emirates. This would become France's first permanent base in the Persian Gulf, hosting up to 500 French troops. In addition to the inauguration of Peace Camp, Nicolas Sarkozy visited the site of a Louvre Museum branch which France is opening in the United Arab Emirates. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs, said that the co-operation with France is a top priority for the UAE's foreign policy.

France has an embassy in Abu Dhabi and a consulate-general in Dubai.
The United Arab Emirates has an embassy in Paris.

|- valign="top"

|||17 May 1972||See Germany–United Arab Emirates relations

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 17 May 1972 German companies significantly contribute to the UAE's ongoing infrastructure projects and play a leading role in the country's alternative energy developments. Consequently, German Business Park, an area designed to house several of the already seven hundred present companies and their logistical needs, is in the midst of construction.

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|||21 June 1976||See Greece–United Arab Emirates relations

Greece has an embassy in Abu Dhabi and an economic and commercial affairs office in Dubai.
United Arab Emirates has an embassy in Athens.

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|||1971||See Italy–United Arab Emirates relations

Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1971.

The United Arab Emirates has an embassy in Rome.

|- valign="top"

|||8 October 1974||Both countries established diplomatic relations on 8 October 1974||See Kosovo–United Arab Emirates relations

Kosovo has an embassy in Abu Dhabi.
The United Arab Emirates is accredited to Kosovo from its embassy in Ankara, Turkey.

|- valign="top"

|||6 May 1972||Both countries established diplomatic relations on 6 May 1972 The UAE later condemned Russia in a U.N. General Assembly vote. It did not recognize Russian annexation of Crimea.

In 2025, the UAE offered to host peace talks between Ukraine and Russia. In January 2026, a first round of trilateral talks between the U.S., Kyiv and Moscow took place in Abu Dhabi.

|- valign="top"

|||6 December 1971||See United Arab Emirates–United Kingdom relations

thumb|right|[[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Abu Dhabi, December 2024.]]

The United Arab Emirates established diplomatic relations with the United Kingdom on 6 December 1971.

The United Kingdom is accredited to the United Arab Emirates through its embassies in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

The UK governed the United Arab Emirates from 1920 to 1971, when the United Arab Emirates achieved full independence.

Both countries share common membership of the World Trade Organization. Bilaterally the two countries have a Defence Cooperation Accord, an Investment Agreement, and a Partnership for the Future. Both countries are negotiating a Free Trade Agreement.

Oceania

{| class="wikitable sortable" style=

! style="width:15%;"| Country

! style="width:12%;"| Formal Relations Began

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|||16 March 1975||See Australia–United Arab Emirates relations

Australia has an embassy in Abu Dhabi and a consulate-general in Dubai.
The United Arab Emirates has an embassy in Canberra.

|- valign="top"

|||20 May 1985||Both countries established diplomatic relations on 20 May 1985

References

External links

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates

Multilateral relations

Diplomatic relations

Africa

Americas

Asia

Oceania

See also

References

External links