Abu dhabi: The fourth meeting of the ASEAN Committee was convened today in Abu Dhabi, co-chaired by Saeed Al Hajeri, UAE Minister of State, and Kamal R. Vaswani, Ambassador of the Republic of Singapore to the UAE, with Singapore holding the Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Abu Dhabi (ACAD) for the first half of 2026.
According to Emirates News Agency, the meeting included the participation of Mohamed Al Qamzi, UAE Ambassador to ASEAN, and the Ambassadors of ASEAN Member States to the UAE. This gathering underscores the shared commitment to enhancing the partnership between the UAE and ASEAN. This follows the UAE's accession as an ASEAN Sectoral Dialogue Partner in 2022 and aligns with the UAE-ASEAN Practical Cooperation Areas action plan set for 2024-2028.
During the meeting, Al Hajeri extended a welcome to the ASEAN Ambassadors and conveyed the UAE's gratitude for Singapore's leadership during its term as Committee Chair. He also welcomed the forthcoming Chairmanship of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam as of July 2026. Al Hajeri emphasized the UAE's dedication to deepening cooperation with ASEAN in areas of mutual interest and underscored the importance of ACAD as a platform for dialogue, coordination, and exploring opportunities for practical cooperation.
The meeting featured discussions on the implementation of the joint action plan and strengthening cooperation in several priority sectors. Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to regular coordination and discussions, aiming to identify new opportunities to fortify the partnership, thereby achieving sustainable economic growth and shared prosperity.
Additionally, the meeting addressed recent regional and international developments, stressing the need to de-escalate regional tensions and highlighting the significance of ongoing diplomatic efforts to bolster security and stability.