UAE President Holds Talks with Serbian President

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, met with His Excellency Aleksandar Vučić, President of the Republic of Serbia, during a strategic working visit to Abu Dhabi held alongside Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) 2026. The high-level meeting focused on strengthening bilateral relations, expanding economic and strategic cooperation, and advancing the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two nations.

The discussions took place at the Zayed National Museum, a symbolic venue that reflects shared values of leadership, heritage, and long-term nation-building. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to deepening collaboration across priority sectors, including trade, investment, sustainability, innovation, and infrastructure development.

The meeting highlights the growing importance of UAE–Serbia relations at a time when global partnerships increasingly prioritise economic resilience, sustainable growth, and cross-regional cooperation.

Strengthening UAE–Serbia Bilateral Relations

During the meeting, President Sheikh Mohamed and President Vučić reviewed the progress of bilateral relations and explored new opportunities to expand cooperation in line with shared economic and development goals. The talks reflected a mutual desire to transform diplomatic relations into practical outcomes that deliver tangible benefits for both countries.

Both leaders emphasised that the UAE–Serbia relationship has evolved significantly in recent years, underpinned by growing trade ties, investment partnerships, and political dialogue. The meeting aimed to build on this momentum by identifying new areas for collaboration and accelerating joint initiatives.

Economic and Investment Cooperation at the Core

A central focus of the discussions was economic cooperation and investment expansion. The UAE and Serbia agreed on the importance of strengthening trade flows, encouraging private sector engagement, and supporting joint ventures that align with long-term growth strategies.

Key areas of economic cooperation discussed included:

• Trade and logistics

• Infrastructure development

• Agriculture and food security

• Manufacturing and industrial projects

• Financial services and investment platforms

The UAE’s role as a global investment hub and Serbia’s strategic position in South-Eastern Europe were highlighted as complementary strengths that can unlock mutual economic opportunities. Both sides expressed interest in facilitating investment flows that promote job creation, technology transfer, and sustainable development.

Advancing Innovation, Infrastructure and Development Sectors

Beyond trade, the leaders explored collaboration in future-focused sectors that support economic diversification and innovation. These included:

Infrastructure and Urban Development

The UAE and Serbia discussed cooperation on large-scale infrastructure projects, urban development, and smart city initiatives. Such projects align with Serbia’s development priorities and the UAE’s expertise in delivering complex infrastructure at scale.

Technology and Digital Transformation

Both sides recognised the importance of technology and digital innovation in driving economic competitiveness. Opportunities for cooperation in digital services, artificial intelligence, and innovation ecosystems were highlighted as areas with strong growth potential.

Renewable Energy and Sustainability

Sustainability featured prominently in the talks, reflecting the timing of the visit during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week. The leaders discussed renewable energy development, clean technologies, and environmental solutions that support climate goals while enabling economic growth.

Sustainability and Global Challenges

Coinciding with ADSW 2026, the meeting placed strong emphasis on international cooperation to address global challenges, including climate change, energy transition, and sustainable development.

President Sheikh Mohamed reiterated the UAE’s commitment to promoting collaborative, solution-oriented approaches to sustainability. President Vučić echoed the importance of global partnerships that balance economic development with environmental responsibility.

Both leaders agreed that sustainability is no longer a standalone agenda but a core pillar of modern economic policy, requiring coordination between governments, businesses, and international partners.

Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Framework

The UAE and Serbia’s Comprehensive Strategic Partnership provides the foundation for expanding cooperation across economic, political, cultural, and scientific domains. During the meeting, both presidents reaffirmed their commitment to implementing the partnership’s objectives through concrete projects and policy alignment.

The partnership aims to:

• Expand bilateral trade and investment

• Encourage joint economic initiatives

• Promote innovation and knowledge exchange

• Strengthen political dialogue and coordination

This framework reflects the growing diplomatic maturity of the relationship and underscores the UAE’s broader strategy of forging long-term partnerships with countries across Europe and beyond.

Cultural Diplomacy at the Zayed National Museum

Following the formal talks, President Sheikh Mohamed hosted President Vučić on a guided tour of the Zayed National Museum, which celebrates the life and legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding father of the UAE.

The visit offered insight into the UAE’s history, values, and nation-building journey. It also served as a gesture of cultural diplomacy, reinforcing mutual respect and understanding between the two nations.

Cultural exchange plays an important role in strengthening bilateral relations, complementing economic and political cooperation with people-to-people engagement and shared appreciation of heritage.

High-Level Participation and Delegations

The meeting was attended by senior UAE officials, reflecting the strategic importance of the visit. Attendees included:

• His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Special Affairs

• Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Adviser to the UAE President

• Ministers and senior government officials from both sides

The presence of high-level delegations underscores the commitment of both governments to translating diplomatic dialogue into actionable outcomes.

Strategic Significance of the UAE–Serbia Relationship

The UAE’s engagement with Serbia forms part of a broader diplomatic strategy to deepen partnerships across Europe, diversify international economic relations, and strengthen global cooperation.

For the UAE, Serbia represents:

• A gateway to South-Eastern European markets

• A strategic partner in infrastructure and investment

• A country aligned with sustainable development priorities

For Serbia, closer ties with the UAE offer:

• Access to global investment capital

• Collaboration in energy, infrastructure, and innovation

• Opportunities to attract long-term, strategic investments

This mutually beneficial relationship reflects a shared commitment to economic resilience and forward-looking diplomacy.

Alignment With UAE’s Global Vision

The meeting aligns with the UAE’s broader vision of fostering international partnerships that support sustainable growth, innovation, and stability. By hosting global leaders during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, the UAE reinforces its role as a convening platform for dialogue on economic transformation and climate action.

The UAE continues to position itself as a bridge between regions, facilitating cooperation that addresses both regional priorities and global challenges.

Looking Ahead: Expanding Cooperation

Both leaders expressed optimism about the future of UAE–Serbia relations and agreed to continue high-level engagement to ensure steady progress on agreed initiatives.

Future cooperation is expected to focus on:

• Expanding trade volumes

• Launching joint investment projects

• Deepening sustainability collaboration

• Strengthening institutional and business ties

These efforts are designed to deliver long-term value and reinforce trust between the two countries.

Conclusion

President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s meeting with Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić in Abu Dhabi marks an important milestone in advancing bilateral relations between the UAE and Serbia. The discussions highlighted shared priorities in economic cooperation, sustainability, innovation, and strategic partnership development.

Held during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2026, the visit underscored the growing role of sustainability and forward-looking governance in modern diplomacy. By building on their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, the UAE and Serbia are positioning themselves to translate diplomatic alignment into meaningful economic and developmental outcomes.

As global challenges continue to reshape international relations, this strategic engagement reflects a commitment to collaboration, resilience, and shared prosperity in the years ahead.