Vietnam- UAE political consultation outlines orientations for deeper cooperation

Vietnam highlights priorities for deeper bilateral cooperation

The consultation was co-chaired by Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Hang and UAE Assistant Foreign Minister for Advanced Science and Technology Omran Sharaf.

Hang welcomed Sharaf's working visit to Vietnam, noting that it came at an important time for both countries, as the UAE pursues its “We the UAE 2031” vision for 2031 and Vietnam works towards its national development goals for 2030 and 2045.

The two officials reviewed progress in bilateral relations in recent years and discussed measures to further expand and deepen cooperation in a more comprehensive and effective manner. They agreed to strengthen bilateral ties to enhance each country’s autonomy and resilience and diversify its partnerships amid a rapidly changing, complex and uncertain international environment.

Both sides welcomed the positive developments in bilateral relations since the second political consultation in February 2023, particularly the elevation of ties to a Comprehensive Partnership in October 2024 and the entry into force of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in February 2026.

The UAE was Vietnam’s largest trading partner in the Middle East and Africa in 2025, with bilateral trade reaching US$6.5 billion.

Hang congratulated the UAE on its significant achievements in implementing its vision 2031. She also expressed sympathy over the challenges facing the UAE amid ongoing regional conflicts and voiced confidence that the UAE and other countries in the region would overcome current difficulties and continue to prosper.

Emphasising Vietnam’s commitment to strengthening ties with the UAE, its first Comprehensive Partner and, to date, its only Comprehensive Economic Partner in the Middle East, Hang affirmed Vietnam is ready to work with the UAE to promote substantive cooperation.

Vietnam appreciated the UAE’s role and initiatives in addressing global challenges, particularly those relating to energy and water security. As a responsible member of the international community, Vietnam will actively support and work with the UAE to advance practical and feasible initiatives.

UAE outlines new opportunities in technology and investment

Sharaf, for his part, said Vietnam-UAE relations have made a breakthrough following Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s official visit to the UAE in 2024. He described the two countries as entering a new phase of cooperation, with a strong foundation for expanding ties in priority areas and exploring new opportunities.

Sharaf said the UAE desires to become a trusted partner for Vietnam in science and technology, particularly in artificial intelligence (AI), digital infrastructure and advanced technologies.

The UAE also welcomed Vietnamese goods and pledged to facilitate their access to its market. It expressed readiness to support the development of Vietnam’s Halal ecosystem, including cooperation on Halal recognition and certification, which could add to the two Vietnamese Halal certification bodies already recognised by the UAE.

The UAE also supports the early launch of negotiations on a free trade agreement between Vietnam and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). It encourages investment in Vietnam by UAE funds, conglomerates and businesses, which are showing growing interest in the country as a fast-growing, sustainable economy and an attractive investment destination in Asia.

Reaffirming their determination to elevate bilateral relations to a new level, the two sides agreed to make better use of existing commitments and agreements and explore practical approaches, in line with each country's regulations, to address challenges and obstacles to cooperation.

They stressed the need to promote high-level visits between the two countries in the near future. They also pledged to support exchanges and cooperation between their oil and gas companies to help ensure a stable, long-term energy supply for Vietnam, and encouraged the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) to work with UAE counterparts to strengthen business links through appropriate frameworks and mechanisms.

Both sides vowed to continue implementing CEPA effectively, accelerate UAE investment projects in Vietnam and advance cooperation between the two countries’ international financial centres. A key project highlighted was a data centre initiative involving G42 and a Vietnamese joint venture.

They pledged to explore and promote cooperation initiatives in logistics and transport to maintain smooth and efficient bilateral trade flows amid the current circumstances. The two countries further agreed to strengthen coordination and mutual support at international, regional and multilateral forums, particularly within the framework of the United Nations.

Discussing existing cooperation mechanisms, both sides pledged to strengthen engagement and effective cooperation between ASEAN and the GCC, ASEAN and the UAE, and Vietnam and the GCC. They also exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual concern.

As part of the consultation, Sharaf met representatives of several Vietnamese corporations and businesses, including VinFast and Viettel, to discuss specific opportunities for cooperation.

Businesses urged to enhance capabilities to tap UAE market under CEPA

VOV.VN - Vietnamese enterprises must refine their products, meet stringent market standards, and proactively seek out partners in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the broader Middle East to capitalize on opportunities under the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).