H.H. Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, joined ambassadors from three Central American nations at a reception held at the InterContinental Ras Al Khaimah to observe their shared independence anniversary, according to the Emirates News Agency. The event brought together Francisco J. Chacon Hernandez, Ambassador of Costa Rica to the UAE, Gerardo Perez Figueroa, Ambassador of El Salvador to the UAE, and Jorge Rafael Ruiz, Ambassador of Guatemala to the UAE, along with Omar Obaid Alhesan Alshamsi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and other senior officials. Sheikh Saud used the occasion to commend the robust relations between the UAE and Central American countries, which rest on foundations of mutual respect and joint collaborative projects that have expanded in recent years.
The ruler remarked that these relations work to strengthen common goals, enhance mutual interests and contribute to broader progress and prosperity for the involved parties. He affirmed Ras Al Khaimah’s commitment to building on those links by expanding economic cooperation, backing sustainable development efforts and identifying fresh avenues for future partnerships. In his remarks, Sheikh Saud stated that the occasion offered an opportunity to celebrate the history and values that shaped the distinct identity and leadership of the Central American countries, which continue to guide their development journey and resonate with the principles upheld by the UAE.
The ambassadors praised the depth of relations with the UAE and commended its leadership’s role in advancing development, a statement carried by WAM. They expressed determination to strengthen cooperation in diverse fields while thanking Sheikh Saud for his warm reception and hospitality. The diplomats also lauded Ras Al Khaimah’s achievements in economic, cultural and urban development, which reflect the UAE’s distinguished regional and international stature.
Non-oil trade between the UAE and Costa Rica reached more than 82.6 million dollars in 2024, a 27.5 percent increase from 2023, according to an assessment by ATB Legal. The UAE signed a comprehensive economic partnership agreement with Costa Rica in 2024, its first such pact with any Central American country, creating frameworks for collaboration in logistics, aviation, infrastructure and food security. This agreement forms part of the UAE’s wider push to diversify partnerships across Latin America, where similar deals have been pursued with nations including Chile and Ecuador.
A memorandum of understanding between the Dubai-Costa Rica Business Council and the Ras Al Khaimah Chamber of Commerce and Industry was signed on the sidelines of the reception, Latin and Gulf reported. The pact aims to open channels for trade, investment and private-sector engagement between the regions. Such steps illustrate how diplomatic events increasingly serve as platforms for concrete economic outcomes that benefit both sides.
Ras Al Khaimah has positioned itself as a key hub within the UAE for fostering these international connections, building on the emirate’s track record in tourism, industry and sustainability projects. The Central American nations, which secured independence from Spain in 1821, continue to mark September 15 as a collective holiday that highlights their shared history and ongoing regional cooperation. Attendance by UAE officials at the 204th anniversary events signals continued high-level interest in deepening these transcontinental relationships.
