UAE Minister, Solomon Islands PM Inaugurate Embassy In Abu Dhabi

UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi and Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele on Monday inaugurated the Solomon Islands Embassy in Abu Dhabi.

The ceremony was held in the presence of embassy staff and business leaders. During the event, Manele and Al Zeyoudi unveiled a plaque to mark the embassy's opening, establishing the Solomon Islands' diplomatic presence in the UAE capital.

Cornelius Walegerea, Ambassador of the Solomon Islands to the UAE, and members of the foreign diplomatic corps of the Solomon Islands were also present during the ceremony, WAM reported.

Al Zeyoudi said the opening of the new embassy shows the commitment of the UAE and the Solomon Islands to strengthening their relationship and working together in different areas, calling it an important moment in the growth of ties between the two nations.

He further said that since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 2010, they have witnessed increasing trade and investment ties. In 2023, non-oil trade between the two countries grew by 71%, reaching US$3 million. The Solomon Islands' exports to the UAE more than quadrupled, helping industries like fishing and forestry grow.

Al Zeyoudi also mentioned the UAE-Pacific Partnership Fund's role in building a solar power plant in the Solomon Islands. This project was developed and operated by Abu Dhabi's renewable energy company, Masdar.

Manele said the embassy's opening would further boost bilateral ties, praising the ongoing cooperation between the Solomon Islands and the UAE across various sectors. He highlighted his country's commitment to deepen cooperation for the benefit of both nations.

In July, Abu Dhabi Future Energy company Masdar announced that it has signed an agreement with Endesa to collaborate on 2.5 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy projects in Spain. Masdar will invest AED 3.27 billion (€817 million) for a 49.99% stake.

The deal, valued at €1.7 billion, is one of Spain's largest renewable energy deals. However, regulatory approvals and other conditions are still pending. This partnership strengthens Masdar's position as a reliable global energy partner for governments, investors, developers, and communities.

Last year, Masdar and France's Electricité de France (EDF) signed an agreement with Kyrgyzstan's Ministry of Energy to develop hydropower and renewable projects to generate a combined capacity of 3.6 gigawatts in the Central Asian country.