The United Arab Emirates and the Republic of Finland enjoy well-established and growing bilateral relations, with initial ties dating back to 1972 and formal diplomatic relations established in 1975. Cooperation has developed significantly, particularly in the fields of economy, investment, energy, education, defense, environment, technology, and government development, alongside diplomacy, peacebuilding, and other areas of mutual interest.
UAE–Finland relations are underpinned by a broad legal and institutional framework that has evolved over several decades. This began with the Agreement on Economic, Industrial, and Technical Cooperation signed in 1982, followed by agreements on the avoidance of double taxation and the promotion and reciprocal protection of investments in 1996. Subsequent agreements and memoranda of understanding covered defense cooperation in 2007; visa exemptions for holders of diplomatic and special passports in 2009; combating money laundering in 2010; environment and air services in 2013; the exchange of information on tax matters and smart learning in 2016; and training and cooperation on aviation accidents in 2017.
This framework expanded in subsequent years to include higher education and political consultations in 2021, and energy in 2022. Cooperation in diplomacy, peacebuilding, and knowledge exchange was further strengthened in 2023 through two memoranda of understanding signed by the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy with CMI – Martti Ahtisaari Peace Foundation and Finn Church Aid.
At the institutional level, the first meeting of the Joint Committee between the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs, held on January 27, 2021, marked an important milestone in structuring bilateral cooperation. The first political consultations between the two ministries took place on November 17, 2022, strengthening dialogue and coordination on bilateral, regional, and international issues of mutual interest. In November 2024, the second session of the UAE–Finland Joint Committee was held in Helsinki alongside a UAE trade mission to Finland, helping broaden economic, trade, and investment partnerships.
Coordination also extended to political and diplomatic dialogue. In December 2024, the Helsinki Policy Forum’s steering group met in Abu Dhabi, with the participation of H.E. Lana Zaki Nusseibeh, then Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Political Affairs. The meeting reflected growing engagement between institutions involved in policy, diplomacy, and peacebuilding in both countries.
Bilateral relations gained further momentum in 2025 as the UAE and the Republic of Finland celebrated 50 years of diplomatic relations, with a series of high-level visits, cultural events, and joint initiatives. The institutional framework was further strengthened through a memorandum of understanding between the UAE and Finland’s Ministry of Finance to exchange expertise in government development and modernization. A separate memorandum of understanding between the Government of Ras Al Khaimah and the Lahti region supported knowledge exchange and innovation in the circular economy, sustainable materials, environmentally friendly technologies, startups, research and development, waste management and recycling, green buildings, and sustainable construction. In addition, the UAE Ministry of Investment and Finland’s Ministry of Social Affairs and Health signed a letter of intent to strengthen investment cooperation in healthcare and life sciences.
