Brussels: A high-level UAE delegation led by Abdulla Balalaa, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Energy and Sustainability, concluded a successful official visit to the Kingdom of Belgium aimed at deepening bilateral cooperation in the fields of energy, water, and sustainability. The visit was a key step in enhancing the UAE’s strategic partnerships with Belgium.
According to Emirates News Agency, the visit followed a recent official visit to Abu Dhabi by Maxime Pr©vot, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Development Cooperation of Belgium. During that visit, Pr©vot met with H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs.
During the UAE delegation’s visit, high-level engagements took place with senior Belgian officials, including Mathieu Bihet, Minister of Energy, and Ambassador Willem van de Voorde, Special Envoy for Climate and Environment. Industry leaders from Belgium’s energy, sustainability, and academic sectors were also involved in these discussions. The UAE delegation emphasized its commitment to strategic partnerships that support energy security, accelerate the clean energy transition, and advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
As part of the visit, Abdulla Balalaa toured the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, accompanied by Johan Klaps, Chairman of the port authority. A significant outcome of the visit was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Khalifa University and the Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), a sustainability research institute in Flanders. The MoU aims to enhance joint research and innovation for a sustainable future.
The visit also featured a high-level reception that brought together senior Belgian and Emirati stakeholders from government, business, and academia. This event highlighted opportunities for UAE-Belgium collaboration and aimed to reinforce bilateral ties across energy, water, and sustainability sectors.
Abdulla Balalaa commented on the visit, stating that it reflects the UAE’s commitment to strengthening ties with Belgium, focusing on shared strategic interests such as nuclear and renewable energy, water, and innovation. The cooperation between institutions from both countries aims to translate dialogue into action, build long-term partnerships that benefit both nations, and contribute to sustainability goals and global economic growth.
The visit reaffirmed the UAE’s role as a trusted international partner in advancing the global energy transition and laid the foundation for long-term institutional, scientific, and commercial collaboration with Belgium. The UAE delegation included senior representatives from Masdar, the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC), and Khalifa University.