Reem bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy, the UAE’s Minister of State for International Cooperation, officially represented the United Arab Emirates at the inauguration ceremony of the new President of the Republic of Colombia, Abelardo de la Espriella.
During the event, Al Hashimy delivered formal greetings from UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan. She extended their congratulations and expressed wishes for the continued prosperity and progress of the Colombian people.
The visit serves as a significant precursor to the upcoming 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the UAE and Colombia, which will be celebrated in November 2026. Both nations used the occasion to reaffirm their dedication to building a deeper, more comprehensive partnership that reflects five decades of mutual respect and cooperation.
Discussions between the two sides focused on enhancing collaboration across several strategic sectors, including investment, economic development, and energy. Officials emphasized that identifying new avenues for bilateral growth remains a top priority for both governments.
While in Colombia, Al Hashimy engaged in high-level meetings with prominent figures, including Colombian Senate President Honorio Henríquez, former President Álvaro Uribe Vélez, Foreign Minister Omar Bula Escobar, and Finance Minister Miguel Gómez Martínez.
The Minister also conducted a series of bilateral meetings with various Latin American officials to strengthen regional ties. These included Peru’s Foreign Minister Alfonso Carlos Esteba Garcés, Argentina’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Worship Pablo Quirno, Bolivia’s Minister of the Presidency Fernando Aramayo, and Uruguay’s Foreign Minister Mario Lubetkin.
These diplomatic engagements underscored the UAE’s strategic focus on expanding its footprint in Latin America. Al Hashimy highlighted that the region is a vital partner, noting that the UAE remains committed to fostering sustainable development through shared objectives and mutual respect.
The broader diplomatic agenda included reviews of regional and international developments, with a specific emphasis on promoting inclusive economic growth through trade and investment. The UAE continues to prioritize these high-level dialogues to ensure long-term stability and cooperation.
The visit coincides with broader regional economic initiatives, such as the UAE–Ecuador trade agreement, which is expected to catalyze $3 billion in investments. Furthermore, the UAE has recently engaged in high-level discussions regarding bilateral ties with the leadership of Brazil, Egypt, and Gabon.
Other notable regional activities include ongoing preparations by Indian missions in the UAE for the upcoming 80th Independence Day celebrations, as well as recent developments in international politics involving Benjamin Netanyahu’s rejection of a Gaza proposal and the announcement of new shows by SB Girls in Dubai.
Source: Gulf News
