Reem Al Hashimy Initiates Latin America Tour With MERCOSUR Engagements In Uruguay, Argentina And Paraguay

Reem Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation, launched a tour of Latin America with visits to MERCOSUR members Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay, where discussions highlighted the UAE’s aim to deepen bilateral ties, advance cooperation in priority economic sectors, and encourage sustainable growth that supports long-term, shared prosperity across the three partner countries.

During the trip, Reem Al Hashimy met Yamandú Orsi, President of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay, and Santiago Peña, President of the Republic of Paraguay. Reem Al Hashimy conveyed the greetings of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan; His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum; and His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, with wishes for continued progress for Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay.

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Central to the visit were talks with key ministers from Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay, including Mario Lubetkin, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uruguay; Pablo Quirno, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Argentine Republic; Luis Caputo, Minister of Economy of the Argentine Republic; and Javier Giménez, Minister of Industry and Commerce of Paraguay, where Reem Al Hashimy underlined the UAE’s commitment to deeper MERCOSUR engagement.

Reem Al Hashimy congratulated counterparts on the conclusion of the MERCOSUR-European Union trade agreement and restated the UAE’s priority to finalise the UAE-MERCOSUR Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). Discussions examined how a CEPA could help expand trade flows, attract new investment, and open broader access for goods and services between the UAE and MERCOSUR members.

Further meetings brought Reem Al Hashimy together with Carolina Cosse, Vice President of Uruguay; Alfredo Fratti, Minister of Livestock, Agriculture, and Fisheries of Uruguay; and Martín Menem, President of the Chamber of Deputies of the Argentine Republic. These talks stressed cooperation in technology, infrastructure, energy, mining, and agribusiness as central areas for future UAE-MERCOSUR projects.

High-level business gatherings in Argentina and Paraguay allowed Reem Al Hashimy to engage influential executives and private-sector stakeholders from multiple industries. Conversations considered ways to make it easier for Emirati and regional companies to invest, form joint ventures, and participate in both economies, supporting broader UAE MERCOSUR cooperation through stronger private-sector links.

UAE MERCOSUR cooperation and cultural, city-level engagement

In Buenos Aires, Reem Al Hashimy met Jorge Macri, Chief of Government of the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, at the historic Teatro Colón, where Reem Al Hashimy was declared a Guest of Honour of the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, highlighting the importance of city-level engagement alongside national UAE MERCOSUR cooperation efforts.

Reflecting the UAE’s respect for Latin America’s heritage, Reem Al Hashimy visited the Museo del Gaucho y la Moneda in Uruguay, underscoring the role of cultural exchange and people-to-people connections. Reem Al Hashimy was accompanied by Saeed Abdullah Al Qamzi, UAE Ambassador to the Argentine Republic and Non-Resident Ambassador to the Oriental Republic of Uruguay, Alsaghira Al Ahbabi, UAE Ambassador to Paraguay, and a delegation of government officials.

With inputs from WAM