UAE-UK Collaboration

The UAE and UK collaborate across many fields including culture, politics, and sustainability, with the shared goal of building a brighter and more prosperous world for all.

Economic

  • The UAE and the UK work hand-in-hand to develop trade, investment, and business opportunities, and the ambitious 2021 UAE-UK ‘Partnership for the Future’ is testament to this commitment.

    The Partnership has encouraged investment across all sectors including technology, infrastructure, education, and energy. After just two years, bilateral trade has hit an all-time high of over £25 billion, and a record 6,000 UK businesses are operating in the UAE.

Space

  • Together, the UAE-UK strategic partnership has reached space and is making history: UAE Astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi, who studied at the University of Brighton, took part in the first ever Arab space walk mission during a 6-month mission to the International Space Station and Edinburgh-based space agency, AstroAgency, has partnered with Dubai-based AzurX to develop cutting-edge earth observation solutions.

Environmental

  • As hosts of the UN Climate Summit in 2021 and 2023, the UK and UAE are world leaders in finding solutions to our most pressing climate challenges. The UAE-UK Clean Energy Memorandum of Understanding solidified our joint ambitions and has led to significant investment in cleaner, greener energy, including a $1bn deal with Graphene Innovations Manchester, and the establishment of Hywind, the world’s first floating offshore wind farm.

Sport

  • Sport plays a critical role in the development and culture of many countries around the world, and the UAE and UK are no exception. Historic investments have helped to boost entire towns and communities, with Abu Dhabi United Group’s investment in Manchester City Football Club contributing greatly to the regeneration of the city.

    In addition, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s founding of Godolphin has transformed the UK – and indeed, global – horse racing landscape for the better.

Education

  • The relationship between the UAE and the UK is constantly strengthened through the exchange of knowledge and ideas, working together to develop food and agricultural systems, cleaner energy, and technology fit for a brighter future. These include their commitment to deliver 12 years of quality education for girls and ambitious research partnerships in the STEM sector, such as the University of Manchester and the Khalifa University of Science and Technology’s joint effort to advance graphene innovation.

Political

  • The UAE and the UK are committed to upholding their shared foreign policy commitments, including their work on the UN Security Council to promote international peace and security, and to their mutual desire to preserve regional stability and ensure safety and security for all.