UAE Minister Thani Al Zeyoudi said the Emirates remains committed to finalizing a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with the South American bloc.
The UAE has reiterated its commitment to concluding a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the Mercosur bloc, following $6.2 billion in non-oil trade between the two sides in 2025.
Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade, said the UAE considers its partnership with Mercosur a strategic pillar of its long-term strategy to diversify trade and investment relations with major economic blocs.
“The world is witnessing rapid geopolitical shifts that are reshaping the global economy,” he said, noting that these changes present an opportunity for the UAE and Mercosur countries to develop a balanced and sustainable economic partnership grounded in shared interests.
He emphasized that investment in advanced technologies, future industries, clean energy, skills, and knowledge will be key to achieving sustainable economic growth, while trade continues to drive innovation, productivity, and economic diversification.
Mercosur (Southern Common Market) comprises six full member countries, including Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Bolivia.
The minister said the UAE remains committed to concluding a CEPA with Mercosur, following renewed efforts by the European Union earlier this year to strengthen its own ties with the bloc.
According to Al Zeyoudi, UAE–Mercosur non-oil trade reached $6.2 billion in 2025, with investments and joint projects already delivering tangible economic value for member states.
He added that discussions are expanding beyond traditional trade to include strengthening food value chains, supporting the global energy transition, and enhancing logistics connectivity to open new export markets for businesses on both sides.
Al Zeyoudi also noted that geopolitical shifts over the past four months have underscored the importance of an open, rules-based global trading system and deeper cooperation among trusted economic partners.
The UAE has accelerated its CEPA programme over the past four years as part of its strategy to double the size of its economy and boost non-oil trade, signing or concluding multiple agreements with countries and economic blocs worldwide.
He concluded that the time has come for the UAE and Mercosur to build a partnership aligned with both economies’ ambitions, delivering long-term opportunities for businesses and sustainable benefits for their populations.
The UAE’s participation in the summit is part of its broader effort to expand its network of Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements and strengthen its global trade presence.
