On October 21, 2026, President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the UAE held a significant meeting with Lawrence Wong, the Prime Minister of Singapore, in Abu Dhabi. This encounter came during Prime Minister Wong’s official visit to the UAE and reinforced the enduring relationship between the two nations, especially in light of the recent celebration of the 40th anniversary of their diplomatic ties in 2025. Both leaders expressed their dedication to enhancing the Singapore-UAE Comprehensive Partnership, initially formed during Sheikh Mohamed’s visit to Singapore in 2019.
Strengthening Economic Ties
During their discussions, Sheikh Mohamed and Prime Minister Wong agreed to hold the fourth Singapore-UAE Joint Committee (SUJC) meeting. The focus will be on assessing progress made under the Comprehensive Partnership and exploring new collaboration possibilities, particularly in sectors such as trade, investment, energy, artificial intelligence, advanced technologies, and cybersecurity. They emphasized the necessity of fostering research collaboration and innovative initiatives that could provide substantial benefits for both nations.
The leaders also acknowledged the significance of the Abu Dhabi-Singapore Joint Forum (ADSJF) in bolstering economic cooperation. They celebrated the success of the 17th ADSJF, which took place in Singapore on September 28, 2026, co-chaired by Khaldoon Al Mubarak and Dr. Tan See Leng. This forum resulted in the signing and renewal of multiple Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) aimed at enhancing investment, capacity-building, and industrial development.
Advancing Bilateral Investments
The UAE and Singapore are crucial trading partners, with the UAE serving as Singapore’s largest trading partner in the MENA region. In 2025, their non-oil bilateral trade reached approximately USD 6.5 billion, reflecting a remarkable 25% increase from the previous year. Both leaders expressed a commitment to further expanding trade and investment relations, focusing on mutual interests like energy, technology, logistics, and the digital economy. They highlighted Temasek’s decision to enhance its presence in the UAE by establishing an office in Abu Dhabi as a significant step forward.
Additionally, the two leaders welcomed the initiation of negotiations toward a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which aims to strengthen bilateral economic relations and increase market access. They also noted the completion of other MOUs related to energy cooperation, water management, and disease control.
Collaborating on Energy and Technology
Both leaders recognized the urgency of strengthening energy collaboration to enhance energy security and achieve their energy transition goals. They welcomed the formation of a Joint Energy Taskforce under the ADSJF, which will explore various opportunities, including trading and infrastructure development across the energy value chain. Ongoing cooperation in nuclear energy, particularly involving the Emirates Nuclear Energy Company, is expected to yield significant benefits.
Moreover, the two nations are making strides on the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement (DEPA), with Singapore chairing the UAE’s Accession Working Group. As founding members of the Future of Investment and Trade Partnership (FITP), both countries reaffirmed their commitment to fostering a predictable, rules-based trading system.
Fostering Cultural and Societal Connections
Cultural and people-to-people ties between Singapore and the UAE are also robust, serving as a vital foundation for their bilateral relationship. Prime Minister Wong expressed gratitude for the UAE’s role in hosting over 4,000 Singaporeans, the largest community of Singaporeans in the region. Both leaders celebrated cultural exchanges, including the loan of 46 artefacts from the Asian Civilisations Museum to the Louvre Abu Dhabi for an ongoing exhibition, showcasing their commitment to cooperation in the arts.
In a time marked by regional tensions, both leaders reiterated the importance of upholding international law and resolving disputes through dialogue. Looking ahead, they encouraged both governments and private sectors to explore new avenues for cooperation as they continue to strengthen their bilateral partnership. Prime Minister Wong extended an invitation for Sheikh Mohamed to undertake a State Visit to Singapore, a proposal that Sheikh Mohamed accepted, underscoring their commitment to furthering the Singapore-UAE Comprehensive Partnership.