UAE Reaffirms Strategic Partnership with Africa at African Union Mid-Year Coordination Meeting
Abu Dhabi, The Gulf Observer: On behalf of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, Minister of State, represented the United Arab Emirates at the African Union Mid-Year Coordination Meeting (AUMYCM) held in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea.
During the high-level meeting, Sheikh Shakhboot delivered a speech reiterating the UAE’s steadfast commitment to deepening its strategic partnership with African nations. He highlighted a range of key initiatives across vital sectors including healthcare, renewable energy, infrastructure development, education, and food security.
Sheikh Shakhboot underscored the UAE’s continued engagement in expanding cooperation with African Union (AU) member states, particularly in areas of shared interest such as climate action, digital innovation, food resilience, and youth empowerment. These efforts, he said, reflect the UAE’s broader foreign policy goals of fostering inclusive development and building resilient communities.
In a significant development, Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan and Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on a strategic health partnership between the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the African Union. The signing took place in the presence of several heads of state attending the AUMYCM.
Commenting on the agreement, Sheikh Shakhboot stated: “This MoU reflects our shared aspirations to achieve a tangible and sustainable impact in African communities — aspirations that serve as a foundation for long-term cooperation in the healthcare sector.”
The MoU reaffirms the commitment of the UAE and of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to supporting public health across the African continent. It aims to strengthen healthcare systems and improve access to essential medical services, particularly in underserved communities.
Sheikh Shakhboot’s participation in the AUMYCM highlights the UAE’s strong support for multilateral engagement and its enduring partnership with Africa based on mutual respect, solidarity, and a shared vision for sustainable development and prosperity.
