[Salon] United Arab Emirates President Visits US

[Chas Freeman <cwfresidence@gmail.com>]

 

 

United Arab Emirates President Visits U.S.

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed’s Meetings

• On September 23, President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan arrived at the White House for his first official visit to the United States since assuming the presidency in 2022. 
• Meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden, the two heads of state discussed an array of topics including security and defense, trade, artificial intelligence, and clean energy.
• President Biden recognized the UAE as a “major defense partner” to further enhance defense cooperation and security in the Middle East, East Africa, and the Indian Ocean regions. According to a White House statement, the partnership will “allow for unprecedented cooperation through joint training, exercises, and military-to-military collaboration between the military forces of the US, the UAE, and India.” 
• The presidents also expressed their commitment to a two-state solution in Israel and Palestine. 
• The leaders further welcomed Microsoft and G42’s ongoing digital transformation in Kenya, which will use geothermal energy to power data centers hosting cloud infrastructure and AI services for enterprises, deepening investment in U.S. defense systems and military cooperation with the UAE.
• Alongside these talks, President bin Zayed held a meeting with Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo to discuss MGX’s $30 billion investments in the U.S. artificial intelligence market. 
• The private sector partners based in the UAE have joined the U.S.-led Power Africa Initiative, expanding existing partnerships with Emirates-based companies. 
• The two states stressed that there can be no military solution to the conflict in Sudan and underscored their position on achieving a “lasting cessation of hostilities” in the war. 

Broader U.S.-UAE Relations 

• The last state visit between the U.S. and UAE was when Secretary of State Antony Blinken met President bin Zayed in Abu Dhabi in January 2024 to discuss regional peace and humanitarian assistance for Palestinian civilians. 
• Entered into force in March 2021, the two states signed an Enhanced Consular Privileges and Immunities Agreement that would provide enhanced protections to Emirati and American consular staff in both countries. 
• Launched in November 2022, the U.S.-UAE Partnership to Accelerate Transition to Clean Energy catalyzed $100 billion in financing and investment to deploy globally 100 gigawatts of clean energy by 2035 to advance the energy transition and climate benefits, as well as enhance global energy security and accessibility. 
• The U.S. and UAE have expressed deep concern over Iran’s aggressive activity in the region and its impact on peace and stability. As Abu Dhabi seeks rapprochement with Tehran, President bin Zayed supports the implementation of United Nations Security Council resolutions that prohibit the transfer of sensitive materials and technologies to Iran.

Analysis from Middle East Policy

A Middle East Policy article by Sherko Kirmanj and Ranj Tofik examines the primary motivations behind the UAE’s foreign policy agenda.

 

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