UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan sent a congratulatory cable to Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud while several other senior officials conveyed parallel messages to the Saudi leadership on the occasion of the Kingdom’s National Day according to the Emirates News Agency. Vice President Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum dispatched his own greetings to the Saudi monarch. Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan addressed separate notes to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman highlighting the brotherly ties that bind the two countries.
Saudi National Day commemorates the 1932 unification of the Kingdom under its present name a milestone achieved through the efforts of King Abdulaziz ibn Saud according to Saudipedia. The 96th edition of the holiday fell on September 23 2026 and featured nationwide events ranging from flag-raising ceremonies to public celebrations. Historical accounts place the origins of the observance in a royal decree issued that year which formally established the modern Saudi state.
Non-oil trade between the UAE and Saudi Arabia climbed to AED107.1 billion or $29.2 billion in the first half of 2026 marking a 17.6 percent rise from the same period a year earlier according to Economy Middle East. The full-year 2025 total reached AED206.1 billion equivalent to $56.1 billion Emirates News Agency data shows. Saudi Arabia ranks among the UAE’s leading regional trading partners with the exchange supporting broader economic diversification efforts in both countries.
The Kingdom attracted roughly 123 million tourists in 2025 an increase of about 6 percent from the previous year Saudi Ministry of Tourism figures indicate. This expansion forms a central pillar of Vision 2030 the long-term plan to reduce reliance on oil revenues. Growth in visitor numbers has stimulated investment in hospitality infrastructure and entertainment venues across multiple regions.
Bilateral relations between the UAE and Saudi Arabia encompass close coordination on Gulf Cooperation Council initiatives as well as joint projects in security and economic development a 2026 assessment from Vision 2030 AI noted. The two states have consistently expressed solidarity on regional issues reinforcing their strategic partnership. Trade and investment flows have continued to expand even amid global economic pressures underscoring the resilience of their ties.
Messages from the UAE leadership reaffirmed the shared vision for prosperity and stability in the region the WAM dispatch stated. Such annual exchanges of congratulations have become a established diplomatic practice between the neighboring countries. The communications arrive as both nations pursue ambitious development agendas that increasingly intersect in areas such as tourism energy and technology.
