Abu dhabi: Abu Dhabi today hosted the UAE-Finland Dialogue, which was attended by Alexander Stubb, President of Finland; Dr Anwar bin Mohamed Gargash, Diplomatic Advisor to the UAE President; Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade; and Sakari Puisto, Finland's Minister of Economic Affairs, alongside a number of senior officials, business leaders, and private sector representatives from both nations. The meeting comes as part of ongoing efforts to deepen the bonds between both countries in key economic sectors and enhance long-term supply chain security.
According to Emirates News Agency, Al Zeyoudi highlighted that both countries possess economies rooted in knowledge and innovation, positioning them well to navigate a world undergoing technological and industrial evolution. He emphasized the importance of building a partnership that embraces the changing global economy. Al Zeyoudi noted that both the UAE and Finland recognize the transformational power of advanced technology and the need for investment in skills development, start-up ecosystems, and joint research projects. He stressed that global collaboration is essential for success.
The dialogue seeks to pave the way for closer private-sector ties, boosting bilateral trade and capital flows while facilitating knowledge sharing and promoting further dialogue. The potential for deeper UAE-Finland ties is supported by the rapid increase in bilateral non-oil trade, which reached US$412.1 million in the first nine months of 2025, marking a 48.7% increase year-on-year and nearly US$40 million more than in the whole of 2024.
Several government-to-government agreements have also been established to accelerate cooperation in key sectors such as renewable energy and the digitization of government, reflecting a shared vision of the future. The sessions at the UAE-Finland Dialogue, held at the Al Bateen Majlis in Abu Dhabi, covered a range of vital topics, including Smart and Safe Society and Infrastructure; Defence and Critical High Tech Including Space; and Sustainable Energy and Circular Economy Solutions.