ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates, January 7/APO Group: On January 6, 2026, the African Union Commission (AUC) and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) held a high-level meeting in Addis Ababa between H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the AUC, and H.E. Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of State.
The meeting built on the first round of political consultations held in Abu Dhabi on September 13, 2025, set against the context framework of the 2019 Memorandum of Understanding, and reaffirmed the shared commitment of both sides to further strengthening the UAE–AU partnership.
Both sides reviewed progress achieved since the inaugural consultations, exchanged views on priority areas of cooperation, and reaffirmed their commitment to sustained political dialogue.
Discussions saw the convergence of both parties on the centrality of Agenda 2063, particularly the flagship initiative “Silencing the Guns by 2030,” as well as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), thus underscoring the mutually reinforcing relationship between peace, security, trade, and development.
An agreement was also reached on the need to give a shot to the arms in terms of cooperation in support of these strategic priorities, recognizing that a durable peace underpins economic integration, while expanded trade and investment contribute to stability, resilience, and sustainable development in Africa.
The UAE’s launch of the USD 1 billion “AI for Development” initiative, announced at the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg in November 2025, was also lauded, thus affirming its potential to support Africa’s development priorities through innovation and digital transformation.
The Chairperson and the Minister exchanged views on peace and security dynamics in the Horn of Africa, underscoring the close interdependence between stability in the Horn of Africa and security in the Arabian Gulf, including about maritime security and regional prosperity.
Against the backdrop of the 2026 AU theme on water and sanitation, both sides highlighted the 2026 United Nations Water Conference, to be co-hosted by the UAE and the Republic of Senegal, posing as a key opportunity to advance global action on water resilience. They agreed to cooperate closely, towards tangible, action-oriented deliverables and measurable impact across Africa, through initiatives such as the Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to the deepening of AUC–UAE cooperation across shared priorities in support of peace, stability, and sustainable development.
