Abu Dhabi, September 29, 2025: The President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, held talks on Monday with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Abu Dhabi, where the leaders reaffirmed their commitment to expanding bilateral cooperation under the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement signed by both countries in 2024. The meeting took place at Qasr Al Shati and comes just days ahead of the trade agreement’s scheduled entry into force on October 1.
Both leaders discussed the agreement’s implementation and expressed support for leveraging it to enhance trade volumes, reduce tariffs, and open new investment channels between the UAE and Australia. Sheikh Mohamed said the relationship between the two countries has seen steady development across multiple sectors, including trade, energy, education, and culture. He noted that the CEPA provides a structured framework to facilitate further cooperation in areas aligned with the national development agendas of both nations.
The leaders also addressed a range of regional and international matters, including the status of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Sheikh Mohamed welcomed Australia’s formal recognition of the State of Palestine earlier this year, stating that the step reflects support for a rules-based international order and underscores the importance of achieving a two-state solution. The CEPA, which was finalized in late 2024, eliminates or reduces tariffs on nearly all Australian exports to the UAE, covering goods such as agricultural products, resources, and manufactured items.
UAE and Australia move toward full CEPA implementation
According to the Australian government, the agreement is expected to increase bilateral trade, which currently stands at approximately AUD 9.3 billion annually. Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade projects that trade between the two countries could reach AUD 15 billion within the next decade. Prime Minister Albanese praised the UAE’s role as a strategic trade and investment partner and noted that Australia is committed to expanding commercial links with the Gulf region. He also highlighted the importance of collaboration in renewable energy and advanced technologies, including areas related to sustainable development and climate resilience.
During the visit, Albanese encouraged UAE-based firms to explore expansion opportunities in Australia, particularly in retail and logistics. This follows discussions with senior executives of major Emirati business groups with existing global operations. Both sides emphasized the importance of strengthening private sector engagement to complement government-level agreements. In addition to economic matters, the two leaders reviewed educational and cultural initiatives aimed at fostering long-term people-to-people ties.
Cultural and educational links play growing bilateral role
The UAE and Australia host significant student and expatriate populations from each other’s countries, and several academic institutions maintain bilateral exchange programs and research partnerships. The meeting was attended by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Special Affairs, and Sheikh Mohamed bin Hamad bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Adviser to the UAE President, along with ministers and senior officials from both delegations.
The UAE and Australia established diplomatic relations in 1975. Today, the UAE is Australia’s largest trade and investment partner in the Middle East and North Africa region. More than 300 Australian companies operate in the Emirates, while thousands of Australians reside and work across the UAE. With the CEPA set to come into effect, both governments have expressed intent to ensure its smooth implementation and to promote deeper economic integration in the years ahead. – By Content Syndication Services.