President Sheikh Mohamed and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak discuss relations in phone call

Leaders review historic relationship and talk about several regional and international issues

President Sheikh Mohamed spoke to British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Wednesday. Photo: Presidential Court / AFP

President Sheikh Mohamed on Wednesday spoke to UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak by phone.

During the call, the leaders discussed bilateral ties and ways to strengthen them.

They also exchanged views on several regional and international issues.

The two leaders addressed the framework of the Partnership of the Future, which the two countries announced in September 2021.

The framework aims to promote prosperity and security, tackle climate change and expand the exchange of knowledge, state news agency Wam reported at the time.

Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Sunak also discussed co-operation opportunities that contribute to enhancing the sustainable development of both nations.

The call is the second between the two leaders since Mr Sunak became Prime Minister in October 2022.

In May of this year, the UK and UAE hailed their “growing partnership” after strategic talks between their foreign ministers in London.

The two governments said the inaugural UK-UAE strategic dialogue was “an important moment in the bilateral relationship”.

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, was hosted in London by British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly.

A joint statement at the time said they agreed on the need for co-operation to tackle global challenges, including climate change.

Sheikh Abdullah and Mr Cleverly “discussed the importance of an inclusive and ambitious agenda” at the Cop28 climate summit that begins in Dubai this November.

They called for a “robust and unified response” to a global stocktake of progress on climate change that will conclude at Cop28.

“The Prime Minister spoke to His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, this morning,” a Downing Street representative said.

“The leaders reiterated their personal commitment to growing the strong defence and trade partnership between our countries, noting that the pledge from the UAE to invest £10 billion in strategic industries in the UK is being delivered well ahead of schedule.

“They welcomed opportunities to further develop economic and technological co-operation between the UK and UAE, including in green industries and nuclear power. The leaders looked forward to working together on this agenda and driving innovation and investment to address climate change ahead of the Cop28 summit in the UAE later this year.

“They also discussed international security issues.”