• The foundations of the distinguished relations between the United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Spain were laid by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and His Majesty King Juan Carlos I of Spain, whose close personal friendship played a pivotal role in establishing and strengthening the ties between the two nations.
• Over the years, these relations have continued to flourish through sustained efforts to promote cultural, educational, and people-to-people exchanges, fostering deeper mutual understanding and appreciation between the Emirati and Spanish peoples.
• Cultural cooperation has been reinforced through numerous initiatives and events hosted in both countries, including Spain’s participation in international dialogue and cultural forums, as well as a wide range of Emirati cultural activities organized across Spanish cities.
• These relations reached new heights through high-level official exchanges, most notably the visit of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, in August 2019 to inaugurate the Madrid Book Fair, where Sharjah was the Guest of Honour. During the visit, His Highness was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by the Autonomous University of Madrid in recognition of his support for Spanish archaeological missions in Sharjah and his outstanding contributions to heritage preservation, cultural research, languages, and human civilization.
• In June 2019, His Excellency Hussain Ibrahim Al Hammadi, then Minister of Education of the UAE, visited Spain and held meetings with senior officials from the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training, the Ministry of Science and Innovation, and leading Spanish universities. Discussions focused on strengthening cooperation in education, scientific research, knowledge exchange, and exploring opportunities to expand Spanish language education within the UAE.
• Spain has become an increasingly attractive destination for Emirati students pursuing higher education, particularly in fields such as sustainability, environmental sciences, artificial intelligence, engineering, innovation, and advanced technologies.
• The historical and civilizational legacy of Al-Andalus continues to serve as a unique bridge between the UAE and Spain. Reflecting this shared appreciation, the exhibition “Andalusia: History and Civilization” was inaugurated at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre in Abu Dhabi (2023/2024) under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan and opened by His Highness Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The exhibition celebrated the rich heritage of Al-Andalus and showcased rare manuscripts, archaeological artefacts, scientific achievements, literary works, and cultural contributions that helped shape global civilization.The exhibition highlighted seven major civilizational themes, including the Great Mosque of Córdoba, Madinat al-Zahra, Al-Zahrawi, Ibn Zaydun, Al-Idrisi, Ibn Rushd, and the Gardens of the Alhambra, illustrating the enduring legacy of Andalusian culture and its influence on human progress.
• Cultural cooperation between the UAE and Spain is further strengthened through long-standing partnerships between leading institutions in both countries. Notable examples include the collaboration between the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF) and the Escuela Superior de Música Reina Sofía (Queen Sofía School of Music), one of Europe’s most prestigious music institutions, which has contributed significantly to artistic exchange, talent development, and the promotion of classical music education.
• Sports have also become an important pillar of bilateral relations. Numerous Emirati sports clubs, teams, and athletes regularly participate in training camps, tournaments, and development programs in Spain, benefiting from the country's internationally recognized expertise in football, cycling, motorsports, and high-performance sports management.
• The UAE and Spain continue to deepen cooperation across the cultural, educational, scientific, and sporting sectors, reflecting a shared commitment to innovation, intercultural dialogue, human development, and sustainable progress.
