Since the establishment of the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Brussels in 1976, the UAE and the Kingdom of Belgium have developed a strong and enduring partnership founded on mutual respect, shared interests, and a common commitment to peace, multilateralism, and sustainable development. Promoting regional and international stability remains a shared priority and a cornerstone of bilateral relations.
Today, the UAE and Belgium cooperate across a wide range of sectors, including trade and investment, energy, logistics, advanced manufacturing, innovation, education, biomedical research, culture, humanitarian cooperation, and judicial affairs.
Structured Political Dialogue and Active Diplomatic Engagement
The UAE and Belgium maintain an active political and diplomatic relationship at all levels, guided by shared values and a common vision for a more stable, prosperous, and interconnected world. The two countries hold regular political consultations, most recently during the third round of consultations hosted in Abu Dhabi in February 2026.
These structured dialogues have strengthened coordination on regional and international issues, including stability in the Middle East, European security, and developments in the Horn of Africa. During these consultations, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to de-escalation, the protection of civilians, and dialogue as a sustainable pathway to peace and stability.
High-level visits, parliamentary exchanges, and ongoing engagement between government institutions have further reinforced the political foundations of the partnership. Close coordination within multilateral frameworks, including the United Nations and the European Union, reflects a shared commitment to peace, rules-based international cooperation, and effective multilateralism.
A Strategic Partnership for the Future
The United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Belgium share a vision of a more stable, prosperous, and interconnected world, a vision grounded in mutual respect, shared interests, and confidence in the power of partnership to deliver tangible benefits for both societies.
Built on strong foundations and decades of cooperation, the UAE–Belgium relationship is well positioned for continued growth in the years ahead. The Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Brussels remains committed to advancing this dynamic partnership by fostering new avenues of cooperation between institutions, businesses, and local communities to unlock new opportunities and elevate bilateral relations to even greater heights.
Trade and Investment: a leading partnership in the Middle East
Belgium is among the UAE’s most important trading partners in Europe, while the UAE is Belgium’s largest trading partner in the Middle East, accounting for approximately 21 percent of Belgium’s total trade with Arab countries. Bilateral trade spans a wide range of sectors, including diamonds and precious metals, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, machinery and equipment, food products, and advanced technologies.
The Port of Antwerp–Bruges, one of Europe’s largest and most strategically important ports, serves as a key gateway connecting UAE trade and investment flows with European and global markets.
Belgian companies maintain a strong and growing presence in the UAE across sectors such as logistics, energy, advanced manufacturing, ports, life sciences, pharmaceuticals, dredging and maritime services, luxury goods, agri-food industries, and innovation, contributing to the UAE’s diversified, knowledge-based economy. At the same time, UAE investments in Belgium have expanded steadily, with sovereign wealth funds and private-sector entities active in logistics, real estate, infrastructure, and energy.
Both countries continue to explore new opportunities for cooperation, particularly in renewable energy, sustainability, food security, logistics, digital trade, e-commerce, and innovation, reflecting their shared ambition to build resilient and future-oriented economies.
Energy Transition and Climate Action: from COP28 to shared ambitions
Cooperation in energy and climate has become an increasingly important pillar of UAE–Belgium relations. Belgium’s advanced expertise in offshore wind energy, port infrastructure, and clean technologies complements the UAE’s leadership in renewable energy deployment and its ambitious energy transition agenda.
Collaboration between Emirati and Belgian stakeholders continues to expand in areas such as renewable energy, green hydrogen, and sustainable logistics, contributing to the global transition toward cleaner and more resilient energy systems.
The UAE’s historic presidency of the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), held in Dubai in December 2023, marked a significant milestone in international climate cooperation. The conference resulted in the landmark UAE Consensus and the first Global Stocktake under the Paris Agreement, with Belgium playing an active role throughout the process. Both countries continue to work together to advance shared climate objectives and support a just, orderly, and inclusive energy transition.
People-to-People and Cultural Bridges
People-to-people ties remain a cornerstone of the UAE-Belgium bilateral relationship. A vibrant Belgian community contributes to many sectors in the UAE, from business and engineering to academia, culture, and science, while growing numbers of Emirati students, professionals, and visitors engage with Belgium each year.
Cultural exchanges, educational partnerships, exhibitions, festivals and heritage initiatives continue to deepen mutual understanding and connections between the peoples of both countries.
Higher Education and Biomedical Research: A Flagship Academic Partnership
Cooperation in higher education, scientific research, and innovation constitutes one of the most dynamic and forward-looking dimensions of the UAE–Belgium partnership, anchored by a flagship strategic alliance between Khalifa University of Science and Technology in Abu Dhabi and KU Leuven, one of Europe's oldest and most prestigious research universities, together with the Flanders Institute for Biotechnology (VIB).
In February 2022, and in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and His Majesty King Philippe of the Belgians, Khalifa University and VIB–KU Leuven signed a landmark agreement to launch the Biomedical Science Discovery (BISDI) program, supported by an initial investment of EUR 10 million over a two-year run-in period. The program aims to develop new treatments for diabetes and its cardiovascular complications through innovative, artificial intelligence-based target discovery and drug validation tools — a first-of-its-kind bilateral exchange program in the healthcare field between the UAE and Belgium, supported by the Flanders Investment & Trade Agency (FIT). The partnership is a milestone in the development of modern life-science research in both countries.
Building on this foundation, in July 2024, Khalifa University and KU Leuven announced the launch of a Dual PhD Program in Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, under which students from each institution spend at least one year of their doctoral studies at the partner university, conducting joint research under the co-supervision of advisors from both sides. The final thesis is examined by a joint committee, and graduates receive certificates from both universities, strengthening human capital development, research excellence, and the long-term scientific ties between the UAE and Belgium.
Beyond this flagship partnership, cooperation in education and research continues to expand across a growing network of Emirati and Belgian universities, research institutes, and cultural organizations, fostering lasting connections between students, scholars, and institutions of both countries.
This interactive page provides Emirati travelers with personalized travel guidance and essential entry requirements based on their selected destination. Through a user-friendly map interface, travelers can quickly access important information, understand destination-specific regulations and requirements, and prepare confidently for their international journey.
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This interactive page provides non-UAE citizens with clear and accessible information about visa requirements for entering the United Arab Emirates. Users can search for their country or nationality and quickly determine whether they are eligible for visa-free entry or are required to obtain a visa before travelling, helping them plan their visit and complete the necessary arrangements in advance.
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