In a more dangerous and divided world, Canada’s government is focused on what we can control: building our strength at home and forging reliable new partnerships abroad. That means diversifying our trade, catalysing new investment, and building the major projects that will create good jobs for Canadians for generations to come. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a key partner in this mission.
Over the last two days, the Prime Minister, Mark Carney, welcomed the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to Ottawa, Ontario, for the first-ever visit to Canada by a Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
During their meeting, the leaders agreed to deepen the Canada-UAE relationship and launched a new Strategic Partnership. It turns a year of rapid progress into a long-term framework for cooperation on economic ties, energy, technology, education, defence, and diplomacy, as well as cultural exchange between our peoples.
As an immediate step in this new partnership, Canada and the UAE signed the new Canada-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), following the conclusion of negotiations in a record 47 days – the fastest either country has negotiated a free trade agreement.
Once fully implemented, the CEPA will reduce or eliminate tariffs on over 99% of current Canadian exports to the UAE. That means new markets for Canadian farmers growing pulses and canola, for manufacturers of industrial machinery and power generation equipment, for our world-class aerospace sector, and other Canadian innovators. The agreement will also address non-tariff barriers, create a more predictable environment for trade and investment, and expand market access for Canadian goods and services, including in the industrial, agricultural, forest, fish and seafood, environmental, and engineering sectors. The CEPA is expected to enter into force in 2027, lowering costs and expanding choices for consumers and businesses in both countries, creating high-quality careers for Canadian workers, and building stronger, more resilient supply chains.
Reflecting a deepening partnership amidst an increasingly unstable world, Canada and the UAE signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Defence Cooperation. The MOU modernises the Canada-UAE Defence Cooperation Arrangement for enhanced bilateral defence cooperation, including military education and training, defence policy dialogue, joint exercises, defence industrial cooperation, cyber security, and information exchanges, while creating a Joint Military Committee to guide its implementation.
Building on the leaders’ commitment to work together to address global challenges and advance stability, Global Affairs Canada and the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy signed an MOU to deepen cooperation on diplomatic training and education programs. This includes the exchange of best practices and collaboration on emerging issues such as the impact of artificial intelligence and digital tools on diplomacy.
The visit delivered significant progress on the UAE’s historic commitment to invest $70 billion in Canada, announced during Prime Minister Carney’s visit to Abu Dhabi in November 2025. The Prime Minister welcomed the announcement of the following commercial agreements and investments:
- DP World signed a new Memorandum of Understanding with the Arctic Gateway Group and CentrePort Canada to advance strategic trade opportunities and develop an integrated transportation corridor linking the Port of Churchill, the Hudson Bay Railway, CentrePort Canada, and DP World's global logistics network.
- A new Energy Cooperation Arrangement between Masdar and Natural Resources Canada, establishing a cooperation framework in the energy sector. This arrangement will bring together the investment, development, and operational expertise of UAE renewable energy firms and Canadian partners, with policy guidance and facilitation from both governments.
- An agreement between Invest in Canada and the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry to assist interested members in sharing information, facilitating connections, and coordinating visits.
During the visit, Canada and the UAE also announced they will launch negotiations towards various justice and public safety instruments, such as an Extradition Treaty and a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty.
This historic visit marks a new phase in Canada-UAE relations. With a new Strategic Partnership and concrete progress on trade, investment, and security, we are moving with clarity and purpose to a stronger and deeper partnership, to build a safer and more prosperous future for our peoples.
Quotes
“The UAE and Canada are building big. Our scale and ambition are reflected in our deepening relationship. In less than a year, we have put an investment protection agreement in force, negotiated and signed a trade agreement in record time, and turned a historic $70 billion commitment into real investments in Canadian energy, infrastructure, and technology. Our new Strategic Partnership builds on that momentum, opening new markets for our businesses, creating good jobs for our workers, and building a stronger, more secure Canada for generations to come.”
The Rt. Hon. Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada
“Canada and the UAE have reached major agreements and established a strong foundation for closer cooperation across a broad range of shared priorities within a year. Our new Strategic Partnership gives this progress a long-term direction, deepening our relations to advance prosperity, security, and resilience for both our peoples.”
The Hon. Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs
“The CEPA we concluded with the UAE in a record 47 days will double our two-way trade, from $3.4 billion to $7 billion over the next decade. Canadian businesses across energy, aerospace, critical minerals, agri-food and more will have greater access to the UAE's $700 billion economy, a gateway to the wider Middle East and North African market of nearly 500 million people and over $7.2 trillion in GDP. Combined with the UAE's $70 billion investment commitment, our partnership will create good-paying jobs and build a stronger, more diversified economy.”
The Hon. Maninder Sidhu, Minister of International Trade
“In a rapidly changing world, Canada is strengthening its defence partnerships and building the relationships needed to protect our shared security. This new agreement with the United Arab Emirates marks a significant step forward, deepening military cooperation, advancing defence innovation and opening new opportunities for our defence industries. By working more closely together, we're strengthening our collective security, supporting greater stability and building a more resilient future for both our countries.”
The Hon. David J. McGuinty, Minister of National Defence
Quick facts
- This was the first-ever visit to Canada by a Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
- In November 2025, Prime Minister Carney visited the UAE, where he joined the President of the UAE, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to sign the Canada-UAE Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement, launch negotiations toward a CEPA, and announce a landmark $70 billion investment commitment from the UAE to Canada.
- For over 50 years, Canada and the UAE have enjoyed a strong and broad relationship focused on building prosperity through economic cooperation, strengthening regional security, and driving economic development in third countries.
- In 2025, Canada’s two-way merchandise trade with the UAE was valued at $3.5 billion, with $2.8 billion in exports and $679.1 million in imports. That same year, Canadian merchandise exports to the UAE grew by over 10%.
- More than 150 Canadian companies have an operational presence in the UAE, and it is estimated that 60,000 Canadians live and work in the country.
- Canada is building a trading network that is the envy of the world, with preferential access to 1.5 billion consumers across 16 free trade agreements, 51 countries, and roughly two thirds of global GDP.