The UAE at the G20 Summit: Renewed Global Confidence

The United Arab Emirates’ participation as a guest at the G20 Summit, hosted by South Africa in Johannesburg on November 22-23, reaffirms its global standing as an influential economic power that has achieved remarkable progress in new sectors such as artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and digital transformation.

The UAE joins the G20 Summit less than a month after taking part in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in the Republic of Korea.

The UAE’s presence at the G20 demonstrates its long-standing approach of building bridges with nations across the world, following a strategic path that cultivates strong and growing ties with major global economic powers and leading international forums such as the Group of Seven (G7), BRICS, and APEC.

This approach underscores the UAE’s commitment to multilateral international cooperation and its support for joint action to enhance global economic stability and address current challenges —especially in the areas of energy security, advanced technology, and artificial intelligence.

The G20, which includes 19 countries from all continents along with the European Union and the African Union, holds significant economic and political weight. Its members represent 85% of the world’s economic output, 75% of global trade, and 66% of the world’s population.

The invitation extended to the UAE to attend the G20 Summit marks the country’s sixth such appearance. The UAE previously took part in summits held in France (2011), Saudi Arabia (2020), Indonesia (2022), India (2023), and Brazil (2024).This year’s G20 Summit in Johannesburg is held under the theme “Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainability.”

The host nation, South Africa, focuses on key issues such as tackling natural disasters, addressing the debt crisis in low-income countries, financing a just energy transition, and promoting fair partnerships in the use of critical minerals instead of exploitative practices.The UAE participates in the G20 backed by an impressive record of economic achievements and positive developments in foreign trade as a driver of growth.

Trade has expanded the UAE’s economy twentyfold over the past fifty years. Two years ago, the UAE launched the “TradeTech” initiative in partnership with the World Economic Forum in Davos to accelerate the digitalisation of global supply chains and facilitate developing countries’ access to the global trading system.

Between September 2021 and the first quarter of 2025, the UAE successfully concluded 26 Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements with major countries and economic blocs regionally and globally.

The G20 theme of “Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainability” aligns with the UAE’s policy of advancing sustainable development — especially through an organised and responsible energy transition, promoting innovation in renewable energy, adopting advanced technologies, building a knowledge economy, and shaping shared principles for AI governance.

The UAE consistently underscores the value of solidarity in confronting global challenges through pioneering humanitarian and relief initiatives during crises, wars, and natural disasters, as well as through its leadership in building alliances to combat climate change and extremism.Moreover, the UAE’s participation in this year’s G20 — hosted by a major African nation—highlights its developmental partnerships with the African continent, especially in renewable energy and port management.

Less than a month before the Johannesburg summit, the UAE signed an agreement with more than 20 African countries to launch a new investment roadmap aimed at strengthening cooperation in tourism, aviation, logistics, infrastructure, and digital transformation.

The UAE’s sixth participation in the G20 Summit stands as a renewed endorsement for its development model from the world’s foremost forum for economic growth, trade, and sustainable development. It is a testament to the UAE’s standing to be among the world’s leading economies, driven by its developmental success and visionary leadership that not only anticipates the future but actively shapes it.

Dr Hamad Al Kaabi is Chief Aletihad News Center Officer