UAE President Sheikh Mohamed, Australian PM Albanese Review Bilateral Ties

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese reviewed bilateral ties between the UAE and Australia in a phone call on Monday. The leaders also discussed potential areas of cooperation and issues of mutual interest.

Albanese called the UAE President to discuss the longstanding ties between the two nations and ways to build on their strategic partnerships in various fields. During the call, they also exchanged views on some regional and international issues, particularly recent developments impacting both countries. Also included in their agenda was a discussion of the UAE's hosting of the upcoming Conference of the Parties (COP28) and the significance of the country's role in smoothing global collaboration on climate action.

The leaders also discussed the role of the UAE in the evacuation operations in Sudan. During the call, Albanese thanked Sheikh Mohamed for helping Australian citizens in times of need, citing its role in the rescue of Australian citizens from Sudan and the evacuation of Australians from Afghanistan.

Today, dozens of Australian citizens evacuated from the Afghan capital Kabul remain inside the Emirates Humanitarian City in the UAE, waiting to be flown back to their home country.

The UAE and Australia share extensive trade relations, with the UAE being Australia's largest Middle East trade and investment partner. On May 20, Australia's Governor-General David Hurley told state news agency WAM that relations between the two countries had seen tremendous growth in recent years, with Australian businesses growing sixfold and Australians living in the UAE almost rising fourfold.

"Australia had a diplomatic presence in the UAE since 2004. Since then, until 2022, diplomatic relationship has deepened quite considerably. We have a larger footprint—diplomatically in Abu Dhabi and Dubai," he said.

Earlier this month, UAE's Minister of State for International Cooperation Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashimy also made an official visit to Australia to enhance cooperation between the two countries in the areas of politics, trade, and economy. During the visit, she reaffirmed the keenness of the UAE leadership to further strengthen ties with Australia and achieve new levels of growth for the benefit of their people.