The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is advancing its relationships with G20 member nations, emphasising its role as a global trade and investment hub. Recently, alongside the B20 Summit, the UAE hosted the UAE-Global Business Forum, organised by the Ministry of Economy with support from the UAE Embassy and Consulate in Brazil.
This gathering aimed to foster partnerships between the UAE and multinational corporations, showcasing the UAE’s potential as a gateway to global markets.
The forum included extensive discussions on strengthening trade ties in fields such as renewable energy, technology, and food security. Representatives from the UAE held individual meetings with their counterparts from G20 countries, exploring new trade and investment opportunities that align with the UAE's long-term goals for sustainable economic development.
Leading the UAE delegation was Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade, who represented the country at the B20 Summit held in São Paulo, Brazil. The summit, themed “Inclusive Growth for a Sustainable Future,” convened around 1,000 senior business figures from the G20 and participating guest nations.
At the summit, the UAE delegation focused on sustainability, inclusivity, and enhancing global trade efficiencies. These discussions underscored the importance of inclusive growth, particularly in empowering women-owned businesses and promoting sustainable trade practices. The recommendations developed by B20 participants will be presented to G20 leaders during their upcoming summit in Rio de Janeiro.
The UAE's participation as a special guest of Brazil’s G20 presidency reflects its growing influence and recognition on the international stage. The UAE delegation included high-level officials such as Saleh Ahmad AlSuwaidi, UAE Ambassador to Brazil, Abdalla Shaheen, Consul General of the UAE in São Paulo, and Juma Mohammed Al Kait, Assistant Undersecretary for International Trade Affairs at the Ministry of Economy.
This extensive representation from various sectors, including trade, technology, health services, and energy, showcased the UAE’s commitment to international collaboration and sustainable growth.
Addressing the summit, Dr. Thani Al Zeyoudi emphasised the significant role of the private sector in innovating for global trade. He highlighted how public and private sectors must work together to create efficient and accessible trade systems.
“The B20 Summit offers a critical platform to foster collaboration between policymakers and the private sector. It is essential that leaders recognize insights from those actively engaged in global supply chains to ensure trade remains a growth enabler,” Al Zeyoudi stated. He reiterated the UAE’s commitment to promoting open, rules-based trade, focusing on creating a more resilient and inclusive global trading system.
The UAE’s dedication to growing its economic connections was further evidenced by its expanding trade figures with G20 nations. In the first half of 2024, UAE trade with G20 countries exceeded USD 196.1 billion, marking a 4.1% increase from the previous year.
The UAE’s total non-oil trade with G20 nations reached USD 393.2 billion in 2023, a 15.3% rise from 2022. These figures reflect the UAE’s strategic position in global trade and its commitment to fostering long-term partnerships with influential economies.
Representatives from diverse sectors such as education, innovation, agriculture, tourism, and logistics joined the UAE’s delegation to underline the nation’s multi-sectoral approach to global collaboration.
By strengthening these connections, the UAE aims to foster international cooperation that supports sustainable economic growth and addresses global challenges, such as food security and energy transition.
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