UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan received Prime Minister of Singapore Lawrence Wong at Qasr Al Shati in Abu Dhabi on October 21 2025 the Emirates News Agency reported. The two sides examined ways to strengthen relations that have developed since the establishment of diplomatic ties in the early 1980s with a focus on mutual priorities. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed welcomed the Singaporean delegation and underscored the importance of sustained dialogue to build on existing frameworks for partnership.
Discussions during the meeting covered cooperation in the economy trade investment technology energy and climate action according to the official account distributed by WAM. Both leaders assessed regional and global developments that affect their countries and expressed commitment to continued coordination on international issues. Wong who assumed office earlier in 2025 conveyed Singapore’s interest in deepening engagement with the UAE across multiple sectors.
The leaders reviewed implementation of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement signed in 2022 which has served as a cornerstone for expanding commercial exchanges a WAM assessment found. They considered additional steps to broaden the agreement’s scope in alignment with national development goals. Senior officials from both governments attended the talks including the UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and his Singaporean counterpart.
UAE Ministry of Foreign Trade figures show non-oil bilateral trade reached $6.54 billion in 2025 reflecting a 25.3 percent increase from $5.2 billion the previous year. The UAE remains Singapore’s largest trading partner in the Middle East according to the same ministry data. UAE direct investment in Singapore totalled $5.12 billion between 2021 and 2025 while around 230 Singaporean companies maintain operations in the UAE spanning real estate hospitality energy and transport.
The meeting built upon the momentum of the UAE-Singapore Comprehensive Partnership established several years earlier the foreign ministry in Abu Dhabi stated. Cooperation extends to capacity building healthcare and advanced technology areas where both countries have developed notable expertise. Wong’s visit also included engagements with other UAE officials to discuss practical measures for advancing joint initiatives.
Historical relations between the two nations date to the 1970s with the UAE among the first Arab states to establish ties with Singapore after its independence a foreign ministry review noted. The current engagements reflect a maturing strategic relationship that supports diversification strategies in both economies. Further talks are expected in coming months to translate the latest discussions into tangible projects.
