The UAE and Italy: A firmly established strategic partnership in facing global challenges

Relations between the UAE and Italy continue

 

The UAE and Italy: A firmly established strategic partnership in facing global challenges

Relations between the UAE and Italy continue their upward trajectory under the comprehensive strategic partnership that embodies the convergence of their visions on current regional and global issues, their joint efforts to promote international security and stability, as well as close cooperation in all fields

The UAE-Italy relations derive their strength from their historical legacy dating back to 1971, and from the support and follow-up of the leadership of both countries and their keenness to elevate these relations to unprecedented levels based on solid foundations of common visions and interests that ensure their permanent ability to develop, grow and achieve the desired goals.

In this context, the Italian Ambassador to the UAE, Lorenzo Fanara, praised the important achievements made by the two countries in their partnership, noting remarkable progress in the political, economic, investment, trade, tourism and strategic cooperation fields.

In a statement on the occasion of Italy’s National Day, Fanara said that 2026 is a historic year in relations between the two countries, which have continued to deepen and flourish despite the uncertainty in the international landscape. This year witnessed an official visit by Sergio Mattarella, President of the Italian Republic, to the UAE, the first official visit by an Italian president to the United Arab Emirates.

He added that President Mattarella’s visit to the UAE came just one year after the first official visit by an Emirati president to Italy, confirming the exceptional level of trust, mutual respect and political maturity that characterizes bilateral relations at present.

He stressed that a true friend appears in times of hardship and in the darkest circumstances, and from this standpoint, Italy stood firmly by the side of the UAE during its exposure to Iranian attacks, sending an immediate message of solidarity and tangible rapprochement.

He noted that Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni was the first leader from the G7/G20 countries to visit the UAE during the crisis, reflecting Italy’s firm commitment to its partnership with the UAE.

He expressed his gratitude to the UAE for its assistance in bringing back more than 10,000 stranded Italian tourists to their homes in just one week after the attacks on the country began, noting that the Italian Embassy in Abu Dhabi remained fully operational throughout that period and continued to provide support to Italian citizens and companies that chose to remain in the UAE.

The Italian ambassador touched on the strength and solidity of the economic relations between the two countries, noting that Italian investments in the UAE continue to grow at a remarkable pace, with about 600 Italian companies currently operating throughout the country in various sectors including oil and gas, engineering, infrastructure, legal services and professional consulting.

He explained that UAE investment flows are witnessing a remarkable acceleration in Italy, especially after the UAE announced in 2025 a historic commitment to invest US$40 billion in several strategic sectors in Italy, where these commitments have already begun to bear fruit, particularly in the fields of artificial intelligence and infrastructure.

One of the most notable of these projects is Khazna's plan to develop a data center in Lombardy.

He praised the trade relations between Italy and the UAE, which continue to achieve strong growth and mutual benefits. At the end of 2021, the value of Italian exports to the UAE reached 4.8 billion euros. He noted that upon his arrival in the UAE, he had set an ambitious goal of doubling this figure. Over the past four years, exports have almost doubled, reaching 9.5 billion euros last year.

He said that in 2026, Italian exports to the UAE increased by 7.8% in January and by 20.5% in February compared to the corresponding months of 2025.

He commended the great and distinguished efforts of the UAE government and its rapid, practical and effective response to emerging challenges, noting the strengthening of operations in the ports of Khor Fakkan and Fujairah, while the new green corridors with the Sultanate of Oman contributed to the sustainability of trade flows despite the high transportation costs and increased shipping time.

The Italian Ambassador to the UAE highlighted the cultural relations between the UAE and Italy, which have witnessed significant developments in recent years, stressing that the two countries share a long-standing entrepreneurial spirit that has been formed over centuries of trade, innovation and cultural exchange.

He said that Italy’s contribution is clearly evident in the urban landscape of the UAE, as Italian architects, designers and construction companies have played a role in some of the country’s most prominent urban projects, including the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, Emirates Palace and Dubai International Airport.

Cultural and educational cooperation between the two countries is highlighted through several aspects, including the Italian Cultural Institute, which was established in Abu Dhabi in 2021 and is the first of its kind in the Arabian Gulf region, and Italy’s remarkable presence in book fairs and other cultural events organized by the UAE. In return, the UAE’s active participation in cultural and artistic events in Italy is highlighted.

Italian language and culture are taught in many prestigious universities and schools in the UAE, and honorary doctorates have been awarded to prominent figures in Emirati culture by prestigious Italian universities in recognition of their role in urban development. There are also joint missions and cooperation projects between the two countries to excavate antiquities and preserve historical heritage