Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism Ian Borg and UAE Minister of State Ahmed Bin Ali Al Sayegh co-chaired the inaugural session of the Malta–United Arab Emirates Joint Commission in Abu Dhabi, on Thursday. 

The new Commission is a significant milestone in the consolidation of the long-standing mutual respect, shared ambitions and effective collaboration between Malta and the United Arab Emirates, following the celebration of half a century of diplomatic relations in 2023. 

Ahead of Thursday’s ministerial session of the Commission, earlier this week the two countries held preparatory talks to review ongoing collaborations and outline a two-year roadmap for new strategic partnerships. The Joint Commission discussed key areas of mutual interest, including trade and investment, healthcare, innovation and AI, cybersecurity, climate action, tourism, education, youth, and maritime affairs. 

Malta reiterated its readiness to extend productive bilateral cooperation in these sectors while reaffirming the importance of opening technical exchanges in other emerging areas. 

“The establishment of this Joint Commission represents more than the formalisation of a dialogue. It affirms a clear political will on both sides to consolidate bilateral cooperation through structured and strategic engagement,” Deputy Prime Minister Ian Borg said, adding that “we are here this week to translate shared aspirations into concrete and measurable outcomes.” 

UAE Minister of State Ahmed Bin Ali Al Sayegh welcomed the convening of the Joint Commission, stating that Malta is a reliable partner of the UAE. “There is a lot of potential to work together in various areas of cooperation because we trust Malta as a serious partner,” he said. 

The two countries agreed on the need for stronger EU-Gulf relations. “Malta also firmly supports the EU’s engagement with the Gulf, especially the vibrant relationship with the United Arab Emirates. We have consistently advocated for closer EU-Gulf relations, not as a matter of convenience, but as a matter of long-term strategic coherence,” Dr Borg concluded. 

Deputy Prime Minister Borg and Minister Al Sayegh agreed that the second session of the Joint Commission will be held in Malta.