BERLIN, GERMANY / RankWire.AI / – During an official state visit to Berlin, the United Arab Emirates and Germany significantly enhanced their bilateral collaboration. UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz presided over the unveiling of 12 government accords and declarations. The agreements encompass sectors including investment, energy, technology, aviation, security, environmental policy, legal affairs, and culture. Additionally, both nations inaugurated a Strategic Dialogue aimed at coordinating efforts across various government sectors. This step expands upon their longstanding Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, established in 2004.
An agreement was also reached to establish a German-UAE Investment Council to facilitate closer collaboration between the public and private sectors. The resumption of the Joint Economic Committee offers an additional platform for trade and investment dialogue. The Strategic Dialogue will focus on areas such as security, defence, commerce, energy, climate policy, transport, education, and digital development. It will also promote cooperation in emerging technologies and other shared policy fields. Separate arrangements covering legal assistance, crime prevention, data systems, and government information services were also signed by the two governments.
The agreements also encompass the aviation sector. Notably, measures include broader access for UAE national airlines operating at Berlin Airport. Other documents address passenger procedures and collaboration among relevant authorities. The package further includes provisions on defence, security, and environmental cooperation. A memorandum dedicated to cultural cooperation was signed, and both sides committed to ongoing work in the energy sector, focusing on liquefied natural gas, renewable energy, and hydrogen.
Economic Ties Strengthen with Broad Investment Initiative
A key aspect of the visit was the announcement of a UAE investment fund totaling 40 billion euros for Germany. The planned investments aim to develop advanced digital infrastructure and new data centres with approximately 1 gigawatt of capacity. Companies from both nations signed 29 commercial agreements and memoranda valued at over 9.356 billion euros. These private-sector contracts complement the government accords announced in Berlin, adding a significant economic dimension to the broader cooperation agenda of the state visit.
Economic figures illustrate the scale of current UAE-Germany commercial relationships. In 2025, non-oil trade between the two nations reached $15.5 billion, marking an increase of over 14% compared to the previous year. Total investment flows from 2021 to 2025 surpassed $10 billion. Noteworthy UAE-related investments in Germany include XRG’s roughly 15 billion euro investment in Covestro. Both governments also highlighted ongoing negotiations for a comprehensive trade agreement between the UAE and the European Union.
Cooperation in Technology, Energy, and Transportation Grows
The broader commercial partnership includes projects involving Covestro, RWE, ADNOC, and Masdar. Energy collaborations cover LNG, renewable power, and hydrogen, building on existing investment links. Focus areas for expanded cooperation also include digital infrastructure and artificial intelligence, providing formal channels for government agencies and corporations to collaborate. Transport, environmental policy, and advanced technology were incorporated into the new bilateral framework as well.
Running from September 9 to September 11, this state visit marks the first time a UAE president has traveled to Germany. The meetings held in Berlin spanned sectors such as economic affairs, technology, energy, culture, education, and regional concerns. The establishment of the Strategic Dialogue and Investment Council introduces new formal mechanisms for managing bilateral relations. The 12 government agreements are complemented by 29 commercial deals and the 40 billion euro investment package. Collectively, these initiatives cover public policy, infrastructure, trade, aviation, security, technology, and energy cooperation.