UAE Strengthens Strategic Partnerships And Signs Key Agreements At Ukraine Recovery Conference 2025 In Rome

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has reaffirmed its dedication to Ukraine's recovery and international collaboration at the 2025 Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC) in Rome. Reem bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation, led the UAE delegation. The conference, co-hosted by Italy and Ukraine, aimed to align global efforts for Ukraine's recovery and resilience.

During the conference, Al Hashimy met with First Lady Olena Zelenska. They signed new collaborative programmes with the Olena Zelenska Foundation. These initiatives focus on enhancing psychosocial services, expanding educational access, and creating safe spaces for children affected by conflict. This highlights the UAE’s commitment to humanitarian action centred on people.

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The UAE also signed a trilateral declaration with Italy and Ukraine. This agreement aims to strengthen Ukraine’s institutional capacities and support women-led small businesses. Developed with Deputy Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko and Italian Deputy Foreign Minister Edmondo Cirielli, it focuses on digital transformation, vocational training, and governance while prioritising women's economic empowerment.

Additionally, the UAE and Italy agreed to support children, adolescents, and young adults in Ukraine. This initiative includes educational assistance, psychosocial support, and renovating protective shelters. It is delivered in partnership with the Olena Zelenska Foundation and other humanitarian organisations.

The UAE's broader development agenda was reinforced through agreements with Italy to co-finance projects in Africa under the Mattei Plan and Rome Process. Planned activities include climate-smart enhancements in Ethiopia’s coffee sector and climate-resilient farming in Côte d’Ivoire’s Zanzan district.

Private Sector Collaboration

A significant private sector agreement was signed between UAE-based Khazna Data Centers and Italian energy company Eni. They will develop a 500 MW AI Data Center Campus in Lombardy powered by low-carbon "Blue Power." This forms part of a strategic partnership announced during a UAE–Italy state visit earlier this year.

Al Hashimy held bilateral meetings with Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani to discuss regional developments and multilateral priorities. She also met Adolfo Urso, Minister of Enterprises and Made in Italy, exploring deeper investment ties and private-sector collaboration opportunities.

Throughout URC 2025, the UAE highlighted its ongoing engagement in Ukraine. This includes delivering humanitarian aid, establishing homes for orphaned children, and mediating prisoner-exchange operations that reunited over 4,181 individuals with their families.

Commitment to Long-term Stability

The UAE is committed to supporting Ukraine's long-term resilience through economic partnerships. It is the only country that has signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with Ukraine since February 2022 when the conflict began.

Al Hashimy emphasised that recovery involves more than rebuilding; it supports conditions for long-term stability by restoring trust, dignity, and local agency. The UAE remains dedicated to working alongside Ukraine, Italy, and the international community to ensure inclusive recovery efforts grounded in shared humanity.

With inputs from WAM