Brazil – UAE: President Lula Meets with Prince of Abu Dhabi

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva met with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who arrived in Rio de Janeiro to attend the G20 Leaders’ Summit as a representative of the Arab Emirates, as an invited country. During the meeting, “a memorandum of understanding was signed to encourage Emirati investment in strategic projects in Brazil, with a special focus on the energy and infrastructure sectors.” The private conversation between Lula and Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan was followed by an expanded meeting between the two countries, which also discussed “global governance reform, economic cooperation and opportunities to strengthen bilateral ties between Brazil and the United Arab Emirates.”

The United Arab Emirates has become an important player in both the global business world and international political dialog. In less than a month, on December 5 and 6, Emirate Ras Al Khaimah will host the XVII Verona Eurasian Economic Forum, an event organized by the Italian Conoscere Eurasia association, which traditionally brings together political leaders, scientists, and industry executives from around the world.

The United Arab Emirates has played an important mediating role in the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, organizing regular exchanges of prisoners of war from the two countries. In recent months, the United Arab Emirates has been actively involved in finding a political solution to the war between Israel, Palestine, and Lebanon. To make the most of the United Arab Emirates’ willingness to seek a path to peace, on Sunday, November 17, the Israeli government unanimously approved the appointment of Yossi Shelley, current director general of the Prime Minister’s Office, to the prestigious position of the Jewish state’s new ambassador to the United Arab Emirates.

As Israeli newspapers wrote on Monday, “this position represents one of the most strategic ones for Israel in the region, especially after the normalization of relations in 2020.” Yossi Shelley previously headed Israel’s diplomatic mission in Brazil: “He has built a relationship not only with the Brazilian president, but also with the Brazilian media, doing an outstanding job. He also played an important and challenging role in the Prime Minister’s Office during this period,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said after his appointment.

The United Arab Emirates, which has become one of Israel’s main allies in the region, represents the center point of Israeli foreign policy, and their relationship has been strengthened by the Abraham Accords. Israel’s new ambassador will have to “mend” the relationship that has “cooled” since the Hamas attack on Israeli territory on October 7, 2023, and the Jewish state’s subsequent military response in Gaza and southern Lebanon.

To register for the XVII Verona Eurasian Economic Forum, please follow the link