Official Visit by Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Lawrence Wong to the United Arab Emirates, 20 to 22 October 2026

Prime Minister Wong is on an Official Visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Yesterday, Prime Minister Wong met Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council Sheikh Khaled Bin Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the Zayed National Museum. Both leaders welcomed the strong economic and commercial ties between Singapore and the UAE, and discussed opportunities to deepen cooperation in areas of shared priorities. Prime Minister Wong also met government and business leaders in the AI, energy, advanced technologies and defence sectors hosted by Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Affairs Authority Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak. Prime Minister Wong also laid a wreath at the Wahat Al Karama and visited the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.

Earlier today, Prime Minister Wong was received by President and Ruler of Abu Dhabi His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi. Following their meeting, President Sheikh Mohamed hosted a luncheon in Prime Minister Wong’s honour.

Prime Minister Wong and President Sheikh Mohamed reaffirmed the warm and longstanding relations between Singapore and the UAE, underpinned by broad based cooperation under the Singapore–UAE Comprehensive Partnership established in 2019. Prime Minister Wong and President Sheikh Mohamed announced both countries’ intent to launch negotiations on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). The CEPA will deepen economic integration, facilitate trade and investment flows, and create opportunities for businesses in both countries. The leaders also noted the positive outcomes of the 17^th Abu Dhabi–Singapore Joint Forum (ADSJF) in Singapore on 28 September 2026, including opportunities for collaboration in the areas of energy, infrastructure and cybersecurity.

Prime Minister Wong and President Sheikh Mohamed witnessed the exchange of three Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) in energy cooperation, water cooperation and disease vector control. These agreements will further strengthen bilateral cooperation and open up new opportunities for collaboration between both countries.

Both leaders welcomed the announcement of the establishment of a Joint Energy Taskforce between both countries, under the ambit of the ADSJF. The taskforce can identify new opportunities across the energy value chain, from trading to infrastructure and downstream activities. The full list of agreements is at ANNEX A.

Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to deepen cooperation in areas such as energy security, water management, AI and advanced technologies. Against the backdrop of an increasingly uncertain global environment, both leaders underscored the importance of trusted partnerships and strengthening economic and security resilience. Prime Minister Wong reaffirmed Singapore's solidarity with the UAE, and expressed confidence in the UAE's resilience and long-term economic prospects. They also exchanged views on regional and international developments, including the situation in the Middle East. Both leaders reaffirmed their shared interest in upholding international law and a rules-based international order, including navigational rights and freedoms. They also looked forward to strengthening ASEAN–GCC cooperation, particularly in trade and investment, during Singapore's ASEAN Chairmanship in 2027. The Joint Statement between Singapore and the UAE is at ANNEX B.

In Dubai, Prime Minister Wong will meet Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance and Deputy Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohamed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum. In the evening, Prime Minister Wong will attend a reception for Overseas Singaporeans.

Prime Minister Wong will return to Singapore on 21 October 2026.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE

21 OCTOBER 2026

ANNEX A – List of Memoranda of Understanding and Agreements Witnessed by Prime Minister Wong and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed

1. Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Ministry of Energy, Trade and Industry of the Republic of Singapore and the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company on a Joint Energy Taskforce;

2. MOU between the Public Utilities Board of the Republic of Singapore and the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy on Water Cooperation; and

3. MOU between the National Environment Agency of the Republic of Singapore and the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre on Cooperation in Vector Control.

ANNEX B

Joint Statement between the United Arab Emirates and the Republic of Singapore

21 October 2026

          His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), met with His Excellency Lawrence Wong, Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore, in Abu Dhabi on 21 October 2026, during Prime Minister Wong’s Official Visit to the UAE. The leaders reaffirmed the warm and longstanding relations between the UAE and Singapore following the commemoration of the 40^th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2025. They also reiterated their shared commitment to deepening the Singapore–UAE Comprehensive Partnership, established during His Highness Sheikh Mohamed’s Official Visit to Singapore in 2019.

          Both sides agreed to convene the fourth Singapore–UAE Joint Committee (SUJC) to review progress under their Comprehensive Partnership and identify new areas of cooperation including in trade and investment, energy and sustainability, artificial intelligence (AI), advanced technologies, digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, space, security and nuclear technology. They emphasised the importance of enhancing collaboration in research and innovation, facilitating the exchange of expertise, and developing joint initiatives that advance shared priorities and deliver tangible benefits for both countries.

          Both sides reaffirmed the importance of the Abu Dhabi–Singapore Joint Forum (ADSJF) in advancing economic cooperation. They welcomed the successful convening of the 17^th ADSJF, held in Singapore on 28 September 2026, co-chaired by His Excellency Khaldoon Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Executive Affairs Authority, and His Excellency Dr Tan See Leng, Minister for Energy, Trade and Industry (Energy and Industry). The 17^th ADSJF saw the signing and renewal of MOUs on investment, capacity-building, and industrial development. Both sides recognised the important role of these engagements in enhancing bilateral coordination and expanding cooperation in key areas, including energy, infrastructure, and cybersecurity.

          Both sides welcomed the strong economic ties between the UAE and Singapore, which are important commercial partners and gateways to the Middle East and Southeast Asia respectively. The UAE is Singapore’s largest trading partner and investment destination in the Middle East and North Africa region, with total non-oil bilateral trade reaching approximately USD 6.5 billion in 2025, achieving a growth of 25% from 2024. Both sides agreed to work towards further expanding trade and investment ties and advancing cooperation in areas of mutual interest, including energy, technology, financial services, logistics, infrastructure and the digital economy. Both sides welcomed Temasek’s announcement that it would deepen its presence in the UAE with the establishment of an office in Abu Dhabi.

          Both sides welcomed the launch of negotiations on a Singapore–UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), reaffirming their commitment to strengthening bilateral economic relations, expanding market access, and enhancing investment flows. Beyond the CEPA, both sides welcomed the conclusion of MOUs in energy cooperation, water cooperation, and disease vector control.

          Both sides underscored the importance of strengthening Singapore–UAE energy cooperation to enhance energy security and support their respective energy transition ambitions. They welcomed the establishment of the Joint Energy Taskforce under the ambit of the ADSJF, to explore opportunities and deepen cooperation across the energy value chain, including trading, infrastructure, and downstream activities. Both sides also welcomed ongoing cooperation in nuclear energy, involving the Emirates Nuclear Energy Company (ENEC).

          Both sides welcomed the substantive progress towards the UAE’s accession to the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement (DEPA) and looked forward to concluding the accession process, with Singapore serving as Chair of the UAE’s Accession Working Group. As founding members and co-convenors of the Future of Investment and Trade Partnership (FITP), both sides reaffirmed their shared commitment to upholding an open and predictable rules-based trading system, and to advancing practical cooperation.

          Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral security cooperation, including through the exchange of expertise, capacity-building, and engagements between their defence industries. They also underscored the importance of enhancing collaboration in emerging technologies, including AI, in support of shared interests and mutual security objectives. Both sides also reaffirmed their strong civil defence ties, including the longstanding arrangement of Emirati cadets attending specialised courses in Singapore.

          Both sides underscored the importance of strengthening cooperation between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to advance shared regional priorities. They welcomed the opportunity presented by Singapore’s upcoming ASEAN Chairmanship and the third ASEAN–GCC Summit to make tangible progress in key areas of cooperation including advancing discussions on an ASEAN–GCC Free Trade Agreement, which would deepen economic integration between the two regions.

          Both sides commended preparations for the 2026 United Nations Water Conference, co-hosted by the UAE and Senegal in Abu Dhabi from 8 to 10 December 2026, highlighting its role in accelerating the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 6, strengthening partnerships, mobilising finance and investment, and advancing practical and scalable solutions to global water challenges.

          They affirmed the strategic importance of sustainable water management and welcomed continued cooperation in desalination, water efficiency, wastewater treatment and reuse, and innovative water technologies, leveraging each other’s complementary strengths. In this regard, they highlighted Singapore’s experience in integrated water management, desalination, water reclamation and reuse, and advanced water technologies, alongside the UAE’s growing innovation and investment ecosystem. Both sides underscored the role of the Mohamed Bin Zayed Water Initiative in advancing water innovation, fostering partnerships, and supporting the development and deployment of innovative solutions to address global water scarcity.

          Both sides expressed interest in exploring further opportunities for knowledge exchange, technology collaboration, and partnerships that can support the development and deployment of sustainable and scalable water solutions. They underscored the strategic importance of food security and resilient global food supply chains, and recognised the role of agricultural innovation, sustainable food production, and reliable access to agricultural inputs in strengthening the resilience and sustainability of food systems.

          Both sides welcomed the deepening of cultural and people-to-people ties between Singapore and the UAE, which form an important foundation of the bilateral relationship. Prime Minister Wong thanked His Highness Sheikh Mohamed for the UAE’s hosting of over 4,000 Singaporeans, the largest community of Singaporeans in the region.

          Both sides welcomed the Asian Civilisations Museum’s loan of 46 artefacts to the Louvre Abu Dhabi for the ongoing Spices and Wonders: Sailing the Indian Ocean exhibition, as well as the collaboration between the National Gallery Singapore and the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation on the inaugural Abu Dhabi Festival Children’s Biennale, to be held from 6 November to 6 December 2026.

          Both sides exchanged views on regional developments and expressed concern over the implications of continued tensions for regional and international peace and security. They reaffirmed the importance of respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states, upholding international law and the Charter of the United Nations, and resolving disputes through dialogue and diplomatic means. They reaffirmed their commitment to multilateralism and underscored the importance of adherence to international law, and upholding navigational rights and freedoms, including the right of transit passage, in line with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and customary international law.

          Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening cooperation across all fields within the framework of the Singapore–UAE Comprehensive Partnership. They encouraged government entities and the private sector in both countries to pursue new opportunities for concrete cooperation. Prime Minister Wong also reiterated the invitation for His Highness Sheikh Mohamed to make a State Visit to Singapore, which His Highness accepted and agreed to undertake at a time convenient to both sides.

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