Abu dhabi: President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan welcomed His Excellency Alexander Stubb, President of the Republic of Finland, to Abu Dhabi on an official visit. The visit underscored the strength of the bilateral relationship and the shared commitment of both countries to deepening cooperation across political, economic, technological, and multilateral domains.
According to Emirates News Agency, the two leaders noted that the visit follows the 50th anniversary, in February 2025, of the establishment of diplomatic relations, a milestone that provides a platform for defining an ambitious, forward-looking agenda for the coming decades. They agreed to advance cooperation in renewable energy and the green transition, artificial intelligence and digital transformation, advanced technology, education, space, and sustainable development. Both Presidents welcomed the steady expansion of trade and investment flows between the two countries and emphasised the importance of continued collaboration between public institutions and the private sector.
The leaders commended the contributions of Emirati and Finnish institutions, including ATRC, EDGE, Nokia, Space42, Bluefors, ICEYE, and Business Finland, in strengthening innovation ecosystems, joint research, and industrial partnerships. The two sides also welcomed longstanding cooperation in education, including university partnerships, digital learning platforms, STEM programmes, and teacher training. They expressed readiness to explore joint initiatives in Africa and other regions in areas such as digital education, renewable energy solutions, and climate resilience.
Both leaders underscored the significant potential for expanding bilateral cooperation in the space sector. They highlighted Finland's expertise in microsatellites and earth-observation technology and the UAE's rapidly expanding capabilities in space exploration. They noted the role of companies such as ICEYE establishing a regional presence in Abu Dhabi as drivers of future cooperation in climate monitoring, environmental management, and disaster response.
The leaders reaffirmed that water is central to climate action and committed to tackling global water challenges, emphasising stronger international cooperation. They view the 2026 UN Water Conference, co-hosted by the UAE and Senegal, as a critical platform to advance global water efforts, while also highlighting the significance of investing in water technology and innovation, illustrated by the UAE's 2024 Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative.
The leaders also exchanged views on regional and international developments. They reaffirmed their shared commitment to achieving a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace based on the two-state solution, leading to the establishment of a sovereign, independent and viable Palestinian State living side by side with Israel, in peace and security. Both sides welcomed the leadership of US President Donald J. Trump and his Comprehensive Peace Plan to end the war in Gaza. The leaders also welcomed the adoption of resolution 2803 by the UN Security Council, which is a key instrument for implementing the plan, and charts a pathway toward Palestinian self-determination and statehood.
The leaders expressed concern over the spread of extremism and extremist ideologies that fuel terrorism and lead to conflict. They reiterated their commitment to addressing hate speech, extremism, and racism by promoting tolerance and interreligious and intercultural dialogue, in line with UN Security Council Resolution 2686.
The two leaders condemned attacks against civilians by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in El Fasher, and by the two warring parties across Sudan. They emphasised the need for both warring parties, the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), to uphold their responsibilities to protect civilians and humanitarian personnel. They welcomed the ongoing efforts of the Quad (United States, United Arab Emirates, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and Egypt) and reaffirmed the importance of an immediate ceasefire.
The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to supporting a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine, in line with international law and the principles of the Charter of the United Nations. They noted the importance of diplomatic engagement and peace-oriented initiatives and agreed to maintain close coordination in relevant multilateral settings. The Finnish President commended the UAE's facilitation of humanitarian assistance and prisoner exchanges between Ukraine and the Russian Federation.
The two leaders concluded by affirming their commitment to strengthening the UAE-Finland partnership on the basis of mutual respect, shared strategic priorities, and a common aspiration to promote peace, stability, and sustainable prosperity. They welcomed the positive outcomes of the Official Visit and agreed to follow up through existing bilateral mechanisms to ensure timely implementation of all agreed initiatives.