UAE Economic Diplomacy Report Unveiled by MBRSG during Public Administration Conference
The Mohammed Bin Rashid School of Government (MBRSG) recently unveiled the UAE Economic Diplomacy Report 2024-2025, highlighting the nation's increasing global impact through data-driven policies, trade, and international partnerships, at its fifth Public Administration Forum held at the Dubai World Trade Centre. Experts, diplomats, and policymakers attended this event to explore the evolving economic diplomacy tactics of the UAE.
This edition of the forum, themed "Strategic Horizons," offered an ideal platform for discussing prominent aspects of the UAE's economic outreach, including its 24 Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (CEPAs), rising foreign direct investment, and the significant roles played by sovereign wealth funds such as the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) and Mubadala. The report also sheds light on the integration of digital economy tools and climate diplomacy into foreign policy frameworks.
According to the report, key indicators depict an impressive economic picture for the UAE. Foreign direct investment inflows reached a staggering US$30.7 billion in 2023, non-oil trade totaled AED835 billion in Q1 2025, and non-oil exports accounted for 21% of the total trade. Moreover, the UAE's GDP surpassed AED1.77 trillion in 2024, with 75.5% coming from the non-oil sector.
Dr. Ali bin Sebaa Al Marri, MBRSG's Executive President, lauded the forum as a hub for formulating a modern approach to economic diplomacy. He emphasized the value of coordinating cross-sector partnerships for future-ready economic diplomacy. Meanwhile, Dr. Mohammed Ibrahim Al Dhaheri, AGDA's Deputy Director-General, emphasized how these numbers represented a broader vision behind the UAE's economic strategies.
Discussions at the forum covered topics like CEPAs, foreign aid, sovereign wealth, and policy integration, culminating in a collaborative dialogue aimed at strengthening cross-sector partnerships for innovative economic diplomacy.
Key components of the UAE's economic outreach, as outlined in the report, include 24 Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (CEPAs), strong foreign direct investment, and the integral role of sovereign wealth funds like ADIA and Mubadala. The report also highlights the integration of digital economy tools and climate diplomacy into foreign policy frameworks.
Data from the report indicates success for the UAE, with FDI inflows reaching US$30.7 billion in 2023, AED835 billion in non-oil trade in Q1 2025, and non-oil exports comprising 21% of total trade. In 2024, the UAE's GDP surpassed AED1.77 trillion, with the non-oil sector contributing 75.5% to the total GDP.
Notable sovereign wealth funds like ADIA and Mubadala play essential roles in advancing the UAE’s soft power and global economic influence through strategic investments worldwide.
In summary, the UAE’s economic diplomacy, as presented in the 2024-2025 report, revolves around leveraging trade agreements, sovereign wealth funds, and foreign investment, intertwined with diplomatic soft power mechanisms such as foreign aid and institutional coordination. Strategic adaptation to global economic transformations, digital economy integration, and climate diplomacy form the report's critical pillars, while engagement across regions ensures diversified influence and sustained growth.
- The Mohammed Bin Rashid School of Government's UAE Economic Diplomacy Report 2024-2025 points to the significant impact of the country's data-driven policies, trade, and international collaborations.
- The fifth Public Administration Forum at the Dubai World Trade Centre, themed "Strategic Horizons," highlighted the value of CEPAs, foreign direct investment, and sovereign wealth funds like ADIA and Mubadala in the UAE's economic outreach.
- The report showcases the integration of digital economy tools and climate diplomacy into foreign policy frameworks as key elements of the UAE's economic strategies.
- In Q1 2025, foreign direct investment inflows amounted to an impressive US$30.7 billion, and non-oil trade totaled AED835 billion, with non-oil exports accounting for 21% of the total trade, as revealed by the report.
- The UAE's economic diplomacy is centered on leveraging trade agreements, sovereign wealth funds, foreign investment, and diplomatic soft power mechanisms, while adapting strategically to global economic transformations, digital economy integration, and climate diplomacy for diversified influence and sustained growth.
