The Emirates News Agency reported that Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs participated in the inaugural UAE Investment Majlis held in New York. The event convened government officials business executives and international investors to explore opportunities across key sectors including technology renewable energy and finance. Discussions underscored the UAE’s commitment to fostering long-term economic collaboration particularly with American partners.
A statement from the United States Department of State on the 11th US-UAE Economic Policy Dialogue placed the UAE as the largest trading partner for the United States in the Gulf region for nearly two decades. The document indicated that non-oil bilateral trade reached more than 38 billion dollars in 2024 with preliminary 2025 figures showing 19.3 billion dollars in the first half alone reflecting 3.4 percent annual growth. Officials also renewed commitments tied to the UAE’s planned 1.4 trillion dollar investment in the United States over the next decade.
The Ministry of Investment organised the majlis on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly session to present the UAE’s investment framework and regulatory reforms. Participants reviewed strategies to expand foreign direct investment inflows which have supported diversification away from hydrocarbons. The gathering featured targeted sessions on emerging areas such as artificial intelligence and sustainable development according to the Emirates News Agency.
Dubai Chamber of Commerce data released in late 2025 showed that 787 new American companies joined its membership during the first nine months of the year bringing the total active US firms to 3 690. The chamber further reported that the United States accounted for 35 percent of foreign direct investment flows into Dubai in the first half of 2025 with cumulative US investments between 2015 and 2024 valued at 79.6 billion dirhams. These figures illustrate the momentum the Investment Majlis aims to accelerate through direct high-level engagement.
Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed held separate meetings with several foreign ministers during the same visit the Emirates News Agency stated. Those discussions addressed multilateral cooperation on peace security and economic issues alongside bilateral ties in trade investment and technology. The UAE delegation included multiple ministers and senior officials focused on advancing the country’s global partnerships.
Additional sessions at the majlis examined ways to align investment flows with national priorities such as climate action and food security. The United States Department of State assessment noted that such dialogues have expanded direct commercial relationships and supported job creation in both countries. Organisers positioned the inaugural event as a platform for ongoing investor dialogue in future editions.
