STOCKHOLM, Sweden – The world is facing unprecedented challenges, which create opportunities for international cooperation and growth, said Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, the UAE’s Minister of State, at the European Union’s Ministerial Forum for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, held in the Swedish capital Stockholm.
The Forum saw the participation of ministers from the European Union, government officials, experts from the Indo-Pacific region, and representatives from various regional and international organizations.
The Forum follows the meeting held in the French capital Paris in 2022, which focused on enhancing cooperation between the European Union and countries in the Indo-Pacific region across priority sectors, including sustainability, climate change, and comprehensive development. The Indo-Pacific region holds strategic importance for the EU and its member states.
At the event, she highlighted the UAE’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with countries, governments, and organizations to ensure a better future for humanity and future generations.
Al Kaabi underscored the increasing importance of the Indo-Pacific region, with its two-thirds share of the world’s population, significant global GDP, and bustling maritime trade routes. She also acknowledged the geo-economic challenges facing the region, necessitating cooperation among all stakeholders.
She emphasized that the UAE shares a vision with the European Union to achieve comprehensive economic prosperity in the Indo-Pacific. This commitment is reflected in the increasing number of cooperation agreements and economic partnerships between the UAE and countries in the region, showcasing the country’s dedication to integrated cooperation for sustainable development across key sectors.
Al Kaabi concluded by expressing the UAE’s readiness to collaborate with partners in the European Union and the Indo-Pacific region, aiming for more sustainable and inclusive growth in various sectors. The UAE is keen on developing cooperative relationships that facilitate effective bilateral partnerships, knowledge sharing, and experience exchange with different countries and governments.
During a panel discussion on sustainable and inclusive growth, Al Kaabi highlighted the UAE’s experience in key sectors such as the economy, energy, climate change, and technology. She emphasized the UAE’s continued cooperation with the European Union and its member states to achieve sustainable growth.
Al Kaabi said, “The United Arab Emirates has always seen climate action as an opportunity. We have leveraged our ambitions around climate progress to foster economic growth and diversification, creating knowledge, skills, and jobs for our youth while contributing practical solutions to a global problem that affects us all. The UAE is a major global supporter of green infrastructure and clean energy projects, having provided more than USD 400 million in aid and soft loans for clean energy initiatives.”
She highlighted the UAE’s efforts to support global climate action by hosting the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) in November 2023 at Dubai Expo City. The conference aims to focus on implementing climate commitments, cooperating to take concrete actions, and finding solutions that address challenges and seize opportunities for a sustainable future.
On the sidelines of the Forum, Al Kaabi met Olivér Várhelyi, Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, to discuss the development of bilateral relations, the joint agenda between the UAE and the European Union, and global challenges as outlined in the Forum’s agenda.
She also had meetings with Tobias Billstrom, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Sweden, Gordan Grlić Radman, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Croatia, and Hina Rabbani Khar, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. These meetings focused on collaboration, investment, and opportunities for enhancing economic and trade cooperation, particularly between the European Union and the Indo-Pacific region.