A final media statement for the seventh session of the Joint Higher Committee for Cooperation between the United Arab Emirates and the State of Qatar

Abu Dhabi, 6 May / WAM / The seventh session of the Joint Supreme Committee for Cooperation between the United Arab Emirates and the State of Qatar concluded, hosted by the United Arab Emirates, and which was held in a fraternal atmosphere that reflects the depth of the established historical relations between the two brotherly countries, and the strong fraternal ties that unite them, unity in destiny, complementarity of interests, and consensus in visions and directions.

The session was chaired on the Emirati side by His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates, and on the Qatari side by His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, with the participation of a number of senior officials and representatives of the relevant government agencies in both countries.

During the committee’s work, the two sides stressed that the UAE-Qatari relations are moving at a steady pace towards a more advanced stage of cooperation and integration, based on the common political will and the sincere desire to expand the horizons of the bilateral partnership, in a way that serves the interests of the two brotherly countries and peoples, supports the process of joint Gulf action, and enhances security, stability and prosperity in the region.

The session witnessed a comprehensive review of various aspects of bilateral cooperation, with both sides stressing the importance of transforming the committee’s outputs into practical, implementable programs and initiatives, in a way that enhances the tangible impact of joint cooperation and opens new horizons for economic and development integration between the two countries.

In the economic field, the two sides stressed that integration between the Emirati and Qatari economies represents an essential foundation for enhancing international competitiveness, diversifying sources of growth, and supporting the sustainability of development in the two countries. They also stressed the importance of continuing to work on developing the business environment, stimulating mutual investments, and creating qualitative partnerships between the public and private sectors, in a way that strengthens the position of the two countries as effective economic and investment centers at the regional and international levels.

The two sides welcomed the progress made in the paths of financial and investment cooperation, including work on preparing a draft memorandum of understanding between the ministries of finance of the two countries for cooperation in the financial field, and completing procedures related to the agreement to avoid double taxation, in addition to discussing prospects for cooperation between Mubadala Investment Company and the Qatar Investment Authority in investment opportunities of common interest.

The two sides also stressed the strategic importance of the Investment Protection and Promotion Agreement, as it is an advanced legal framework that contributes to enhancing mutual trust between investors, provides a stable and transparent investment environment, supports mutual investment flows, and opens the way for broader economic partnerships between the two countries.

In the trade field, the two sides stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation between chambers of commerce and industry, encouraging the exchange of visits by trade delegations, introducing available investment opportunities, highlighting national products, and exchanging data, statistics and economic information on a regular basis, in a way that contributes to supporting the business community and facilitating the flow of trade and investment between the two countries.

The two sides also attached special importance to cooperation in sectors related to the future economy, especially artificial intelligence, digital transformation, cloud computing, and cybersecurity, as they are pivotal areas for enhancing productivity, building national capabilities, and raising the readiness of the Emirati and Qatari economies for the requirements of the next stage.

In this context, the two sides stressed the importance of exchanging experiences in developing digital policies and strategies, digital government services, digital infrastructure, and artificial intelligence applications, in a way that enhances knowledge and technological integration between the two countries, and supports their directions towards building an economy based on innovation and knowledge.

The two sides also discussed opportunities to enhance logistical connectivity and integration in the fields of air, sea, land and port transport, which contributes to facilitating trade movement, enhancing the flexibility of supply chains, and raising the efficiency of connectivity between ports and industrial and economic zones in the two countries. In this context, the two sides stressed the importance of developing effective communication channels and exchanging the information and data necessary to overcome challenges, support decision-making, and promote common interests.

In the field of food security and sustainability of supply chains, the two sides agreed to enhance cooperation in food security, exchange expertise and knowledge in the agricultural and livestock sectors, support strategic stocks, and ensure the availability of goods in crises, which reflects a common understanding of the importance of building economic systems that are more flexible and capable of facing regional and international challenges.

The committee’s work also addressed areas of cooperation in health, labour, education, culture, sports, media, Islamic affairs, specifications and standardization, social development, and humanitarian work, as the two sides stressed the importance of continuing institutional coordination and exchanging experiences and best practices, in a way that enhances the development and humanitarian dimension of bilateral relations.

The two sides welcomed the signing of a number of agreements and memorandums of understanding during the work of this session, which reflects the depth of bilateral relations between the two countries and their keenness to strengthen frameworks of cooperation and partnership in areas of common interest, which included the signing of an agreement between the government of the United Arab Emirates and the government of the State of Qatar regarding the encouragement and protection of investment, and two memorandums of understanding regarding cooperation in the field of agriculture and food security between the Ministry of Municipality in the State of Qatar and the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment in the United Arab Emirates, and joint cooperation between the Municipality of Doha and the Department of Municipalities and Transport in the United Arab Emirates. Abu Dhabi, which contributes to supporting common interests and opening broader horizons for cooperation between the two brotherly countries.

At the conclusion of the session, the two sides affirmed their joint determination to follow up on the implementation of what was agreed upon, and to activate the committee’s outputs through the relevant channels, ensuring the achievement of practical results that reflect the aspirations of the leadership of the two countries and the two brotherly peoples, and push the UAE-Qatari relations to broader horizons of cooperation, integration, and strategic partnership.

The minutes of the meeting of the seventh session of the Joint Higher Committee for Cooperation between the United Arab Emirates and the State of Qatar were also signed. It was signed on behalf of the government of the United Arab Emirates by His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, while it was signed on behalf of the government of the State of Qatar by His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, in confirmation of the commitment of both sides to continue strengthening relations of cooperation and strategic partnership between the two brotherly countries.

The two sides also agreed to hold the eighth session of the joint supreme committee between the two countries in the State of Qatar, with its date being determined through diplomatic channels.

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