UAE Strengthens Economic Ties At Arab-Central Asian Forum In Doha

The United Arab Emirates, represented by Minister of Energy and Infrastructure Suhail bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei and Minister of Economy Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, recently participated in the third session of the Arab Economy and Cooperation Forum with Central Asian States and the Republic of Azerbaijan. Held in Doha, the forum served as a pivotal platform for discussing mutual cooperation opportunities amidst various challenges and aspirations.

The event saw participation from Arab ministers of foreign affairs, finance, and economy, alongside their counterparts from the Republic of Azerbaijan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyz Republic, and Kazakhstan. A key focus was on the UAE's dedication to enhancing economic ties between Arab nations, Central Asian countries, and Azerbaijan. This commitment is aimed at unlocking new development avenues and fostering future opportunities for the economies involved.

Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri underscored the significance of bolstering cooperation across emerging and sustainable economic sectors. These include technology, artificial intelligence, digital transformation, tourism, circular economy, green economy, entrepreneurship, among others. He also stressed the importance of devising mechanisms to boost tourism flows between the participating countries to support sustainable tourism growth.

The forum highlighted the UAE's strategic vision to promote the expansion and sustainability of its tourism and aviation sectors. This vision is encapsulated in the UAE Tourism Strategy 2031, which seeks to enhance the sector's GDP contribution and cement the UAE's status as a leading global tourism hub. Additionally, Al Marri spoke about the UAE's efforts towards decarbonizing its aviation sector and achieving sustainable fuel production by 2030.

Further discussions at the forum revolved around developing tourism exchanges, enhancing transport sector cooperation, sharing best practices, and tackling water scarcity issues. The forum also touched on fostering agricultural cooperation, promoting cultural and scientific exchanges, and strengthening ties between universities and specialized centers.

A notable initiative mentioned was the Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative. Launched by the UAE, this initiative aims at addressing the international water scarcity crisis through innovative technological solutions and increased collaboration and investment.

In conclusion, the Arab Economy and Cooperation Forum with Central Asian States and the Republic of Azerbaijan provided a valuable opportunity for participants to explore economic cooperation avenues. The UAE reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening these partnerships for mutual benefit.

With inputs from WAM