Abdullah bin Zayed, the Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister chair the meeting of the joint committee between the two countries at the Zayed National Museum

His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the sisterly State of Qatar, chaired the meeting of the seventh session of the joint supreme committee between the two countries, which was held today at the Zayed National Museum in Abu Dhabi.

At the beginning of his speech during the meeting, His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan welcomed Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the sisterly State of Qatar, and the participating delegation.

His Highness said: I am pleased to welcome you to your country, the United Arab Emirates, where the holding of the seventh session of the joint Emirati-Qatari Supreme Committee reflects the depth of the deep-rooted and strong fraternal ties that bring together our two brotherly countries, and the firm will for close cooperation and fraternity between brothers.

His Highness added: Today, with determination and will, we continue the process of joint action and constructive cooperation, under the leadership and directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, and his brother His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar, “may God protect them,” in a way that achieves the aspirations and interests of the two brotherly countries.

His Highness said: It is no secret to any of us that the exceptional circumstances our region is going through in light of the sinful Iranian attacks on our countries and peoples, and the damage they have caused to our countries and peoples, harming the lives of civilians throughout the region, in addition to the damage they have caused to civilian facilities and infrastructure, and in light of Iran’s illegal closure of the Strait of Hormuz and its imposition of illegal measures that have undermined the security of international navigation and food security, disrupted energy supplies and confounded the global economy.

His Highness stressed that this reality reinforces our conviction that enhancing coordination between our two countries at all levels is no longer an option but an inevitable necessity, and that our meeting today within the framework of this committee is in itself an expression of this commitment.

His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan said: On the economic level, our bilateral non-oil trade has witnessed remarkable growth, reaching $13 billion in 2025, which reflects the strength of our economic relations and their promising prospects, and we look forward to continuing to expand the horizons of partnership with our brothers in Qatar in various sectors of common interest.

His Highness added: At the international level, I would like to express sincere thanks, appreciation and gratitude for the constructive cooperation and coordination that brings together our two brotherly countries, and for the continuous support provided by sister Qatar to the UAE in international forums. Your country, the UAE, also looks forward to hosting the 2026 United Nations Water Conference, in partnership with the Republic of Senegal, to constitute an important milestone in strengthening international cooperation, accelerating efforts aimed at confronting water challenges, and supporting the global water agenda. In this context, we welcome their generous participation in this conference.

His Highness stressed: We look forward to strengthening the strategic connectivity and economic integration between our two countries, especially in vital sectors, most notably the oil, gas and energy sector, which contributes to consolidating common interests, enhancing the flexibility of supply chains, and opening new horizons for cooperation and investment.

His Highness concluded his speech by saying: My brother, His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, we look forward to the work of this session resulting in the consolidation of a partnership that enhances our common path, wishing you and your honorable delegation a pleasant stay in your country, and we always look forward to our upcoming meetings. Thank you.

For his part, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani stressed in his speech during the meeting the depth of the fraternal relations that bring together the two brotherly countries and peoples, praising the efforts of the preparatory committee and all the teams concerned with preparing for the work of the seventh session of the joint supreme committee between the State of Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, and the work they did that contributed to developing a road map for developing our fraternal relationship and making the work of this committee a success.

He said: Our meeting today is an extension of our previous meetings to develop and strengthen relations between the two countries and the two brotherly peoples in various fields, and to follow up on the achievements achieved and invest in the opportunities available between the two brotherly countries. It also gave us the opportunity to exchange common views on visions and positions at a time when the region is witnessing very delicate regional and international circumstances.

He added: You are not aware of the rapid developments and exceptional events taking place in the Arabian Gulf region at the present time, and the unprecedented security and geopolitical challenges posed by the Strait of Hormuz crisis and the brutal Iranian military attacks on our countries, casting a shadow on the security and stability of the region and freedom of navigation in it.

He stressed that the precision and sensitivity of this stage requires us today, more than ever before, to enhance consultation, unify visions, and intensify joint diplomatic efforts to ward off risks, which requires achieving greater integration between the two countries in various sectors, in a way that contributes to overcoming these challenges and achieving good, security, and peace for the two countries and for all countries of the region.

He pointed out that this meeting is of great importance in the context of developing relations between our two brotherly countries and peoples in various fields to serve common interests, and this cooperation enjoys the full support and guidance of the wise leadership of the two countries.

At the conclusion of his speech, he stressed the importance of continuing joint work on what was agreed upon, in a way that strengthens the partnership between the two countries and achieves the aspirations of the two brotherly peoples.

The Supreme Committee witnessed broad participation of senior officials from the two brotherly countries, where they discussed enhancing cooperation in the sectors of trade, investment, energy, education, culture, environment, health, sports, Islamic affairs and endowments, industry, transportation, and other areas of common interest.

At the conclusion of the committee’s work, His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman bin Jassim Al Thani signed the minutes of the meeting of the seventh session of the UAE-Qatari Joint Higher Committee.

His Highness and Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani also witnessed the signing of a number of agreements and memorandums of understanding between the two countries, including the following:

– An agreement to protect and encourage investment, and it was signed by the State, Mohammed bin Hadi Al Husseini, Minister of State for Financial Affairs, and by the sister State of Qatar, Faisal bin Thani Al Thani, Minister of Trade and Industry.

– A memorandum of understanding in the field of agriculture and food security, signed by the State, Dr. Amna Al Dahak Al Shamsi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, and by the sister State of Qatar, Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.

– A memorandum of understanding regarding joint cooperation between the Department of Municipalities and Transport in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and the Doha Municipality in the Ministry of Municipality in the State of Qatar, and was signed by Muhammad Ali Al-Shurafa – Head of the Department of Municipalities and Transport, and by the State of Qatar, Sultan bin Saad Al-Muraikhi, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.

In the same context, His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan held a joint meeting with Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman bin Jassim Al Thani, during which the established fraternal relations between the UAE and the sisterly State of Qatar were discussed, and ways to enhance paths of cooperation and partnership in various sectors in a way that serves the common interests of the two countries and brings goodness to their peoples.

The two sides also discussed all regional developments, and strongly condemned the treacherous Iranian terrorist attacks that targeted civilian sites and facilities in the UAE using missiles and drones.

They affirmed the UAE’s full and legitimate right to respond to these attacks, in a way that ensures the protection of its sovereignty, national security, and the safety of its lands, citizens, residents, and visitors, in accordance with international law.

During the meeting, His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan expressed his thanks and appreciation to Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman bin Jassim Al Thani for the full solidarity of the sisterly State of Qatar with the UAE in the wake of this Iranian terrorist aggression.

The work of the Joint Supreme Committee was attended by Mohammed bin Hadi Al Husseini, Minister of State for Financial Affairs, Shamma bint Suhail Al Mazrouei, Minister of Community Development, Dr. Amna Al Dahak Al Shamsi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, Khalifa Shaheen Al Marar, Minister of State, Saeed bin Mubarak Al Hajri, Minister of State, Mohammed bin Ali Al Shurafa – Head of the Department of Municipalities and Transport, and Sheikh Nahyan bin Saif bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Deputy Minister of State.