Astana: On behalf of UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade, attended the Eurasia Economic Forum 2026 in Astana, Republic of Kazakhstan. The forum coincided with the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council and convened heads of state and key officials from the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) to deliberate on crucial economic cooperation and trade initiatives.
According to Emirates News Agency, during the forum, Al Zeyoudi participated as a speaker in the session titled "Eurasian Trade and Logistics in a New Reality." He underscored the significance of developing trade routes, implementing paperless logistics, and promoting multilateral investment projects in the transport and logistics sector. The session highlighted how enhancing transport infrastructure can fortify trade relations among EAEU Member States and with global partners.
Al Zeyoudi also engaged in bilateral discussions with Andrey Slepnev, Minister in charge of Trade at the Eurasian Economic Commission, and Arman Shakkaliyev, Minister of Trade and Integration of Kazakhstan. The talks centered on strengthening economic ties and exploring new collaborative opportunities. Furthermore, Al Zeyoudi had meetings with Daniyar Joldoshevich, the First Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan; Renat Bekturov, Governor of the Astana International Financial Centre; and Mr. Allen Chaizhunussov, Chairman of the Export Credit Agency of Kazakhstan, JSC.
Accompanying Al Zeyoudi was Dr. Mohammed Saeed Al Ariqi, Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to the Republic of Kazakhstan and Non-Resident Ambassador to the Kyrgyz Republic. Al Zeyoudi noted the close economic ties between the EAEU and the UAE, stating that the forum participation reinforced the UAE's commitment to enhancing economic cooperation with the EAEU. By fostering robust partnerships, the UAE aims to unlock new opportunities for trade and investment, further solidifying its position as a global hub for innovation and sustainable growth.
In 2025, the UAE's non-oil foreign trade with the EAEU surpassed USD$33.3 billion, marking a 15% increase compared to the previous year. Trade with Kazakhstan amounted to approximately USD$6.1 billion, reflecting an 8.6% rise. The UAE remains Kazakhstan's leading trading partner among Arab countries.
This engagement builds on the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) signed between the UAE and the EAEU last year, which seeks to remove trade barriers and enhance collaboration across key sectors. The EPA aligns with the UAE's goals of expanding its global trade partnerships to drive economic diversification and sustainable growth.