UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida emphasized the strength of UAE-Japan trade relations during a meeting in Abu Dhabi.
The meeting took place at Qasr Al Watan following an official reception ceremony to commence Prime Minister Kishida’s official visit to the UAE.
Sheikh Mohamed warmly welcomed the Japanese Prime Minister, expressing his confidence that the visit would solidify the strong and longstanding partnership between the two nations, supporting their shared vision for a sustainable and prosperous future.
He pointed out that bilateral relations with Japan existed even before the UAE’s formation, and the recent 50th-anniversary celebration of their official diplomatic ties marked a significant milestone. The Comprehensive Strategic Partnership agreement signed last year opened the way for increased collaboration in the economy, trade, technology, energy, space, and education, paving the path for the next 50 years of mutual growth.
The non-oil trade between the UAE-Japan trade, witnessed remarkable growth, increasing by 36% from 2020 to 2022, reaching AED 54.1B ($14.7B) last year, according to data from the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre (FCSC).
During the meeting, the leaders discussed various regional and international matters, highlighting their shared commitment to peace, stability, and cooperation through dialogue. They acknowledged their respective countries’ membership in the United Nations Security Council and the importance of diplomatic efforts in resolving global conflicts.
Looking ahead, the UAE eagerly anticipates Japan’s active involvement in the upcoming COP28 climate conference in Dubai, given Japan’s longstanding commitment to climate action, as evident from hosting COP3 and its association with the pivotal 1997 Kyoto Protocol.
Prime Minister Kishida expressed gratitude for the warm welcome and conveyed the greetings of Japan’s Emperor, His Majesty Naruhito. He praised the enduring bonds between the two nations and expressed his sincere desire to further strengthen their ties for the benefit of their citizens.
In a gesture of goodwill, Prime Minister Kishida left an entry in the VIP guestbook, expressing hope for continued development in UAE-Japan relations in the future.