UAE and Azerbaijan Strengthen Ties Through Strategic Partnership

Saeed Al Hajeri, Minister of State for the UAE, and Yalchin Rafiyev, Deputy Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan, co-chaired the first meeting of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Committee in Abu Dhabi. Senior officials from both countries also attended. The meeting marks a major step in strengthening ties between the UAE and Azerbaijan through structured and long-term cooperation.

The Strategic Partnership Committee was created to advance cooperation between the two countries in a structured way. It aims to build effective and sustainable progress across priority areas. Both sides agreed that the committee will help guide and coordinate joint projects, ensuring that strategic goals are met and that cooperation is strengthened across multiple sectors.

During the meeting, both sides reviewed important achievements from 2025 that strengthened the UAE-Azerbaijan relationship. These include the signing of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and the announcement of a Comprehensive Strategic Cooperation Partnership. High-level visits between the leaders of both countries also reinforced ties. President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan visited Azerbaijan in September 2025, and President Ilham Aliyev visited the UAE in July 2025.

Both sides agreed to create subcommittees to focus on five main areas: politics and diplomacy, economic cooperation, defense and law enforcement, humanitarian matters (including education, culture, and advanced technology), and energy and sustainability. These subcommittees will work on specific projects, track progress, and ensure that joint plans are implemented effectively over the coming years.

The committee also discussed a five-year roadmap for strategic cooperation. Both countries explored several joint priority projects in different sectors. These include initiatives to strengthen economic growth, enhance defense collaboration, promote cultural and educational exchanges, and support sustainable energy and advanced technology development. The roadmap will serve as a guide for implementing these initiatives systematically.

Minister Saeed Al Hajeri emphasized that the committee reflects the growing partnership between the UAE and Azerbaijan. He said that the meetings show the commitment of both countries to shared goals and deepening cooperation in areas of mutual interest. The committee provides a platform to coordinate efforts and ensure long-term benefits for both nations.

The meeting concluded with an agreement to hold the next committee meeting in Baku, Azerbaijan. This step shows the commitment of both countries to ongoing dialogue and partnership. The UAE delegation included officials from the Ministries of Defense, Justice, Interior, Economy, Tourism, Foreign Trade, Investment, Education, Climate Change, Environment, Energy, Infrastructure, and Culture. Representatives from AD Ports, Mubadala, ADQ, Masdar, and XRG also attended.

The first meeting of the UAE-Azerbaijan Strategic Partnership Committee marks a significant milestone in bilateral relations. Through the subcommittees, five-year roadmap, and joint projects, both countries aim to expand cooperation in economy, defense, energy, culture, and humanitarian sectors. The initiative demonstrates their commitment to long-term strategic collaboration and mutual growth.