Abu Dhabi and Rome mark record year of cooperation on Italian National Day
Tourism, culture and business links strengthen people-to-people connections across both nations
ABU DHABI – Italy and the United Arab Emirates have marked a significant milestone in their bilateral partnership, with substantial progress recorded across political dialogue, economic cooperation, investment flows, trade expansion, tourism and wider strategic collaboration.
Speaking on the occasion of Italian National Day, the Italian Ambassador to the UAE, Lorenzo Fanara, described the past year as historic for relations between Rome and Abu Dhabi. He highlighted that the partnership has deepened at a time of increasing international uncertainty, reflecting what he called a mature and resilient diplomatic relationship. The Ambassador noted that mutual trust, shared interests and sustained high-level engagement have driven cooperation to unprecedented levels.
A series of landmark visits and commitments over the past year has further strengthened ties between the two countries, setting the tone for expanded collaboration across multiple sectors.
Political ties
Diplomatic relations between Italy and the UAE have reached a notably elevated level, underpinned by high-level exchanges and reciprocal state visits. A defining moment came with the state visit of the President of the Italian Republic, Sergio Mattarella, to the UAE, marking the first-ever state visit by an Italian Head of State to the Emirates. The visit followed the earlier state visit of an Emirati President to Italy, reflecting a sustained cycle of engagement at the highest political level.
Ambassador Fanara described the sequence of visits as evidence of exceptional trust, mutual respect and political maturity. He also highlighted that Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni was the first leader of any G7 or G20 country to visit the UAE during the period of conflict, a gesture presented as a strong signal of solidarity and continuity in bilateral relations.
According to the Ambassador, the partnership has been reinforced during challenging global conditions, with both nations demonstrating alignment in responding to international uncertainty. He noted that in difficult moments, cooperation between Rome and Abu Dhabi has remained steady, with both sides prioritising dialogue and practical support. The Embassy also maintained full operations throughout recent crises, assisting Italian citizens and businesses in the UAE, including the coordinated return of more than 10,000 stranded Italian tourists within a single week, with support from UAE authorities.
Investment flows
Economic and investment cooperation between Italy and the UAE has continued to expand at a rapid pace, reflecting growing confidence on both sides. Approximately 600 Italian companies are currently operating across the Emirates, spanning sectors such as oil and gas, engineering, infrastructure, legal services and professional consulting. These firms have maintained and expanded their presence, driven by what the Ambassador described as the UAE’s stable institutional environment and positive economic outlook.
Italian expertise is also visibly embedded in the UAE’s urban and cultural landscape. Italian architects, designers and construction firms have contributed to landmark projects including the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Emirates Palace and Dubai International Airport, underscoring the depth of technical and creative collaboration between the two nations.
Investment flows are also accelerating in the opposite direction. During his visit to Rome, President and Ruler of Abu Dhabi His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan announced a $40 billion investment commitment across strategic sectors in Italy, marking a major step in economic cooperation. These investments are already taking shape, particularly in artificial intelligence and infrastructure, with projects such as Khazna’s planned data centre development in Lombardy.
Emirati investments are also expanding within Italy’s real estate and hospitality sectors. Notable examples include entrepreneur Mohamed Alabbar’s acquisitions of a castle in Umbria and hotels in Forte dei Marmi and Venice. The defence sector has also emerged as a promising area for future collaboration, signalling further diversification of investment ties.
UAE-Italy tourism
Tourism remains one of the strongest pillars of the Italy-UAE relationship, supported by increasing travel flows and cultural exchange. Emirati travellers continue to show strong interest in Italy’s cultural heritage, cuisine, hospitality and lifestyle offerings. Italy is increasingly positioned as a preferred destination for luxury tourism, wellness experiences, cultural exploration and family travel.
Popular destinations such as Rome, Milan and Venice continue to attract visitors, while the Ambassador also encouraged Emirati tourists to explore cities such as Naples, Bergamo and Catania, which are accessible via Flydubai routes. He further highlighted the appeal of Italy’s smaller historic towns and countryside regions, which offer authentic cultural experiences and locally rooted traditions.
Tourism exchanges are also contributing to broader people-to-people ties, strengthening familiarity and cultural appreciation between both societies. The growing connectivity between cities has been supported by expanded air links and improved accessibility, further reinforcing Italy’s position as a key European destination for Emirati travellers.
Trade growth
Trade between Italy and the UAE has shown consistent and robust growth over recent years, underpinned by diversified exports and resilient supply chains. At the end of 2021, Italian exports to the UAE stood at €4.8 billion. Over the past four years, this figure has nearly doubled, reaching €9.5 billion last year, reflecting strong bilateral demand and expanding commercial ties.
Momentum has continued into 2026, with exports rising by 7.8 per cent in January and 20.5 per cent in February compared with the same months in 2025. However, March saw a natural slowdown following the outbreak of regional conflict, reflecting temporary disruptions in global trade conditions.
Despite these challenges, both countries have worked to maintain trade continuity. UAE authorities strengthened operations at Khor Fakkan and Fujairah ports, while new green corridors with Oman helped sustain logistics flows, even amid increased transportation costs and longer shipping times. These measures ensured that supply chains remained functional under pressure.
Strategic cooperation
Beyond trade and investment, Italy and the UAE continue to expand cooperation across strategic sectors, including technology, energy transition and defence. The Ambassador highlighted that both nations share a long-standing entrepreneurial spirit shaped by centuries of commerce, innovation and cultural exchange. This shared outlook continues to guide joint initiatives in emerging industries.
He emphasised that the resilience of the partnership lies in its adaptability, with both countries responding jointly to global economic and geopolitical shifts. From traditional trade routes to modern digital economies, cooperation has evolved while maintaining continuity in core economic and cultural exchanges.
The Ambassador noted that future generations may look back on this period as one in which Italy and the UAE strengthened their role as reliable partners. He reiterated that the foundation of the relationship remains solid, supported by mutual interests and expanding opportunities across multiple sectors.