Key Milestones in Colombia–United Arab Emirates Relations - English
- February 8, 2016 – Bogotá: The Joint Cooperation Committee was established, creating a mechanism aimed at strengthening and promoting trade relations and cooperation between Colombia and the United Arab Emirates.
- February 10, 2016 – Bogotá/Cartagena: Then-Minister of Foreign Affairs María Ángela Holguín received the UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who also held an official meeting with President of Colombia Juan Manuel Santos.
- March 21, 2017 – Bogotá: Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Patti Londoño met with Mohammed Al Sayed Sharaf, UAE Assistant Minister for Economic and Trade Affairs, with the aim of strengthening bilateral cooperation.
July 14, 2017 – Bogotá: Colombia welcomed the official visit of Ohood Al Roumi, UAE Minister of Happiness, as part of the institutional exchanges between the two countries. - November 11, 2017 – Abu Dhabi/Dubai: President Juan Manuel Santos paid an official visit to the United Arab Emirates, where he met with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai. During the visit, the Agreement on the Promotion and Reciprocal Protection of Investments and the Agreement for the Avoidance of Double Taxation were signed.
- January 30 – February 1, 2018 – Bogotá: UAE Minister of Education Hussain Ibrahim Al Hammadi visited Colombia to strengthen cooperation in the field of education.
- November 14, 2018 – Abu Dhabi/Dubai: Foreign Minister Carlos Holmes Trujillo conducted an official visit to the UAE, where he met with senior government officials and representatives of institutions involved in investment, economic development, and renewable energy. He also visited the facilities of Expo 2020 Dubai alongside Emirati authorities.
- March 14, 2019 – Bogotá: Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan paid an official visit to Colombia. As a result of this meeting, a visa exemption agreement for holders of ordinary passports and a Memorandum of Understanding on sustainable and efficient agricultural cooperation were signed.
- December 15, 2019 – Abu Dhabi: The second meeting of the political consultation mechanism between Colombia and the UAE was held, led by Foreign Minister Claudia Blum and Minister of State Anwar Gargash.
- February 10, 2020 – Abu Dhabi: Colombia’s Minister of Housing participated in the 10th World Urban Forum, held in the UAE capital.
- November 4–6, 2021 – Abu Dhabi/Dubai: President Iván Duque carried out a State Visit to the United Arab Emirates aimed at strengthening political and economic ties between the two nations.
- January 21, 2022 – Bogotá: The Augusto Ramírez Ocampo Diplomatic Academy hosted the conference “The Leadership of the United Arab Emirates in the Arab Gulf and the Diplomatic Training of the Future,” delivered by Bernardino León, Director General of the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy.
- March 28–30, 2022 – Abu Dhabi/Dubai: Vice President and Foreign Minister Marta Lucía Ramírez paid an official visit to the UAE, participating in international events such as the World Government Summit and the Annual Investment Meeting.
- January 13–15, 2023 – United Arab Emirates: Minister of Mines and Energy Irene Vélez attended the 13th IRENA Assembly. Following the event, discussions were initiated on developing a joint roadmap for energy transition and hydrogen projects in preparation for COP28.
- June 8–9, 2023 – Colombia: UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation Reem Al Hashimy conducted an official visit, during which she met with officials from Colombia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to review bilateral cooperation initiatives.
- December 1–2, 2023 – Dubai: President Gustavo Petro participated in official activities in the United Arab Emirates within the framework of the COP28 United Nations Climate Change Conference.
- December 4, 2023 – Dubai: The second session of the Joint Cooperation Committee between Colombia and the United Arab Emirates was held to assess progress and identify new areas of collaboration between the two countries.
- February 2025 - His Excellency President Gustavo Petro visited the United Arab Emirates, reaffirming the depth of bilateral relations and the commitment of both sides to elevate them to broader levels. He met with His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and a number of senior officials, where they discussed ways to enhance cooperation in the fields of renewable energy, food security, tourism, and education. They also signed several agreements and memoranda of understanding that outline a new roadmap for partnership between the two countries.
