BERLIN, GERMANY / RankWire.AI / – During a state visit to Berlin, the United Arab Emirates and Germany formalized their strategic partnership by launching a new Strategic Dialogue and agreeing to create a bilateral Investment Council. UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz attended the event where 12 government-level agreements, memoranda and declarations were announced. These accords encompass sectors such as investment, energy, technology, aviation, security, legal cooperation, environmental initiatives, data systems and culture. They serve to expand the UAE-Germany Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which has been in place since 2004.
The Strategic Dialogue aims to enhance collaboration in regional security, defence, trade, investment, energy, climate change, digital transformation, transportation, education and innovative technologies. Both nations also signed a declaration of intent to establish the German-UAE Investment Council, which will serve as a platform for engaging both public and private sectors on investment opportunities. Additionally, officials recommitted to the Joint Economic Committee, thereby creating another formal avenue for bilateral economic and commercial dialogue.
Among the government agreements are new arrangements for air transport access for UAE national carriers at Berlin Airport. The accords also include cooperation on passenger procedures, crime prevention, and mutual legal assistance in criminal cases. Separate documents outline cooperation in defence and security, environmental policies, data hosting and information systems. Both countries also agreed to broaden their energy partnership and signed a memorandum dedicated to cultural collaboration.
Economic impact highlighted by €40 billion investment plan
The visit resulted in a UAE investment commitment totaling 40 billion euros for Germany. This package aims to develop digital infrastructure, including plans for new data centres with an approximate capacity of 1 gigawatt. Additionally, UAE and German firms signed 29 commercial agreements and memoranda valued at over 9.356 billion euros. These business deals complement the government agreements announced during the trip, significantly expanding the economic scope of the bilateral discussions.
Trade and investment figures further demonstrate the depth of existing economic ties. Non-oil trade between the UAE and Germany reached $15.5 billion in 2025, reflecting a growth of more than 14% from the previous year. Cumulative investments between the two nations surpassed $10 billion from 2021 to 2025. Both governments also acknowledged ongoing negotiations aimed at establishing a comprehensive trade agreement between the UAE and the European Union.
Expansion in energy, technology, and transportation initiatives
The investment agenda includes further corporate collaborations involving Covestro, RWE, ADNOC and Masdar. Existing UAE-related investments in Germany include XRG’s approximately 15 billion euro stake in Covestro. Both governments identified key areas for continued energy cooperation, including liquefied natural gas, renewable energy, and hydrogen. Their agreements also extend to digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence, and other cutting-edge technologies within the broader bilateral framework.
The official visit took place from September 9 to September 11 and marked the first time a UAE president made a state visit to Germany. During the trip, discussions covered economic cooperation, technological innovation, energy, culture, education, and regional issues. The establishment of the Strategic Dialogue, the Investment Council, and the signing of various agreements create new formal channels for managing bilateral relations. The measures announced in Berlin encompass government policy, investment initiatives, private-sector agreements, transport access, and major infrastructure projects.