Abdullah bin Zayed Holds High-Level Diplomatic Meetings in New York During UNGA81
NEW YORK: H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the UAE, held a series of high-level diplomatic meetings in New York with foreign ministers and senior international officials participating in the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA81).
The meetings focused on strengthening bilateral relations, advancing international cooperation and exchanging views on key regional and global developments as world leaders and diplomats gathered in New York for the annual UN General Assembly.
Abdullah bin Zayed meets foreign ministers at UNGA81
During his engagements, Sheikh Abdullah met separately with Radosław Sikorski, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland; Anita Orbán, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Hungary; Sergey Lavrov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia; Melvin Bouva, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Business and Cooperation of Suriname; Víctor Bisonó Haza, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Dominican Republic; Beate Meinl-Reisinger, Federal Minister for European and International Affairs of Austria; and Rubén Ramírez Lezcano, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Paraguay.
The discussions covered several priorities on the UN General Assembly agenda, with particular attention given to multilateral cooperation, international peace and security, and coordinated approaches to global challenges.
Economic, technology and investment cooperation discussed
Sheikh Abdullah and his counterparts also reviewed opportunities to expand cooperation across a wide range of sectors, including trade, investment, economic development, food security, education, healthcare and culture. The discussions come as the UAE continues to expand its economic engagement with international partners, including growing GCC trade and investment partnerships with major global economies.
Emerging and strategic sectors were also part of the discussions, including artificial intelligence, advanced technology, renewable energy and climate-related initiatives. The UAE has increasingly positioned advanced technology as a key component of its international partnerships, including through initiatives such as the UAE-US artificial intelligence partnership highlighted at the Pax Silica Summit.
Sheikh Abdullah reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to strengthening relations with international partners and supporting constructive dialogue and cooperation that contribute to sustainable development, stability and long-term peace.
The meetings also provided an opportunity to exchange perspectives on current developments in the Middle East and other regional and international issues of shared concern.
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2026 UN Water Conference among key topics
Preparations for the 2026 United Nations Water Conference were also discussed during the diplomatic meetings.
The conference, co-hosted by the United Arab Emirates and Senegal, is scheduled to take place in Abu Dhabi from 8 to 10 December 2026. Discussions in New York highlighted the importance of strengthening international cooperation to address water security, sustainability and other global water-related challenges.
UAE and Zimbabwe strengthen diplomatic cooperation
As part of his meetings in New York, Sheikh Abdullah also held talks with Amon Murwira, Zimbabwe’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade.
The two sides explored opportunities to expand cooperation across sectors linked to the development priorities of the UAE and Zimbabwe.
Sheikh Abdullah also witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on political consultations between the two countries. The agreement was signed by Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of State, and Amon Murwira on behalf of Zimbabwe.
The memorandum represents another step in strengthening institutional dialogue and bilateral engagement between the UAE and Zimbabwe.
Meeting with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas
Sheikh Abdullah also met Kaja Kallas, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission.
The meeting covered areas of cooperation between the UAE and the European Union as well as developments in the Middle East. The discussions also addressed efforts aimed at supporting security, stability and peace at both regional and international levels.
Senior UAE officials join New York meetings
A number of senior UAE officials attended the diplomatic engagements, including Reem bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation; Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and UAE Special Envoy for Climate Change; and Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade.
Also attending were Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, Minister of State; Lana Nusseibeh, Minister of State; Saeed Al Hajeri, Minister of State; Omran Sharaf, Assistant Foreign Minister for Advanced Science and Technology; and Ambassador Mohamed Abushahab, Permanent Representative of the UAE to the United Nations.
The series of meetings on the sidelines of UNGA81 underscored the UAE’s diplomatic engagement with partners across Europe, Latin America, Africa and other regions, with discussions spanning peace and security, economic cooperation, technology, climate action and sustainable development.