UAE President and King of Bahrain discuss strengthening bilateral ties and regional security

High-level discussions on bilateral cooperation

UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan received King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain during a fraternal visit to the Emirates, where the two leaders discussed deepening bilateral cooperation and coordinating on regional security challenges.

The discussions centered on advancing the longstanding relationship between the two nations, with particular emphasis on strengthening economic and development cooperation to support mutual priorities. The leaders also addressed regional and international issues of common interest, including Middle East security developments and collaborative efforts to enhance stability across the region.

Robust economic partnership

The meeting takes place against the backdrop of a flourishing economic relationship between the two nations. Bilateral non-oil trade reached Dhs33.9 billion in 2024, marking a 23% increase from the previous year. This growth trajectory has been consistent, with trade between the two countries expanding at an average annual rate of 11% between 2015 and 2024, the fastest among the UAE's Gulf partners.

The UAE has emerged as Bahrain's second-largest trading partner globally, accounting for 10.4% of the Kingdom's total worldwide trade. Beyond commerce, the UAE stands as one of the top three investors in Bahrain, with cumulative direct investment reaching AED16.5 billion through 2024, representing 10% of total foreign direct investment inflow to Bahrain.

Recent financial cooperation has further solidified these ties. In April 2026, the central banks of both nations signed a currency swap agreement worth Dh20 billion, designed to boost bilateral trade and investment while strengthening monetary cooperation within the Gulf Cooperation Council framework.

Institutional cooperation framework

Both leaders expressed pride in the deep-rooted ties between their nations and reaffirmed their commitment to enhanced cooperation, particularly given the shared regional challenges requiring close coordination. As founding members of the Gulf Cooperation Council, established in Abu Dhabi in 1981, the UAE and Bahrain have maintained close institutional links for over four decades.

The UAE-Bahrain Joint Higher Committee, established in 2000, provides a central mechanism for overseeing bilateral cooperation across priority sectors and monitoring implementation of agreements between the two countries.

King Hamad praised the UAE's steadfast support for Bahrain, noting that this backing has strengthened the Kingdom's capability to address various challenges. The visit represents a continuation of regular leadership consultations, following an April 2026 meeting in Manama where the leaders discussed development priorities and examined regional security implications for maritime safety, energy supplies and the global economy.

Regional and international coordination

The discussions also addressed regional developments and coordination on international issues, particularly relevant as Bahrain assumed a two-year non-permanent seat at the UN Security Council starting January 2, 2026. Both sides emphasized the importance of working together to promote security and stability that benefits all countries and peoples of the region.

The meeting was attended by His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs; Sheikh Zayed bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan; Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Adviser to the UAE President; Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, Minister of State; and several other officials.

The Bahraini delegation included Lieutenant General Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, National Security Adviser and Commander of the Royal Guard of Bahrain, along with other Sheikhs and senior officials. Sheikh Mohamed welcomed King Hamad at the airport upon his arrival in the UAE earlier in the day.