The UAE Ambassador to Colombia conveyed greetings from senior Emirati officials during the meeting with Senator Ivan Name Vásquez, who leads the Congress, and both sides reviewed opportunities to expand collaboration across multiple sectors. Discussions centered on leveraging existing agreements to boost trade, investment and parliamentary exchanges, according to the Emirates News Agency. The encounter reflects ongoing diplomatic efforts that have intensified since the two countries established relations in 1976.
Figures from the Observatory of Economic Complexity place Colombia’s exports to the UAE at $514 million in 2024, led by gold, precious metal ores and coffee, while UAE exports to Colombia reached $74.2 million in the same year.[[1]](https://oec.world/en/profile/bilateral-country/col/partner/are) Over the preceding five years, Colombian shipments to the UAE grew at an annualized rate of 22 percent, the Observatory of Economic Complexity data shows. A Gulf Research Center assessment found that the UAE accounts for 40 percent of Colombia’s total trade with Arab states.[[2]](https://www.grc.net/single-commentary/405)
The two sides signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement in 2024 that targets expanded cooperation in energy, agriculture, infrastructure and food production, according to bilateral relations records. Colombian authorities have expressed hopes of doubling trade volumes in coming years once ratification processes conclude, a recent meeting with Colombia’s foreign minister indicated. Updated trade statistics from Trading Economics reported Colombian exports to the UAE climbed to $864 million in 2025.[[3]](https://tradingeconomics.com/colombia/exports/united-arab-emirates)
Colombia’s Congress plays a pivotal role in approving international pacts, making the parliamentary-level dialogue particularly significant for pending economic agreements. The UAE maintains an embassy in Bogota to support such engagements, while Colombia operates an embassy in Abu Dhabi. Both countries coordinate positions within forums such as the Group of 77 and the Non-Aligned Movement.
Earlier high-level contacts, including visits by Colombian President Gustavo Petro and UAE ministers, have laid groundwork for the current phase of ties, a summary of bilateral history noted. Investment flows have included stakes by UAE entities in Colombian firms, particularly in the consumer sector. The ambassador has participated in multiple recent meetings with Colombian officials to advance ratification of signed pacts.
Trade data for the first part of 2026 indicates continued momentum in non-oil exchanges, according to Colombian government economic reports. The parties agreed to maintain communication channels to translate discussions into tangible outcomes. Such diplomatic exchanges form part of the UAE’s broader outreach to Latin American partners.
