# Foreign relations of the United Arab Emirates

The diplomatic foreign relations of the United Arab Emirates are conducted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
The United Arab Emirates has broad diplomatic and commercial relations with most countries of the world. It plays a significant role in OPEC, and is one of the founding members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). The United Arab Emirates is a member of the United Nations and several of its specialized agencies, as well as the World Bank, IMF, Arab League, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and the Non-Aligned Movement. Also, it is an observer in the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie. Most countries have diplomatic missions in the capital Abu Dhabi with most consulates being in United Arab Emirates's largest and most populated city, Dubai.

## Multilateral relations

UAE has joined the United Nations and the Arab League and has established diplomatic relations with more than 60 countries, including China, Japan, South Korea, Pakistan, Russia, India, Nepal, United States, and most Western European countries. It has played a moderate role within the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC), the United Nations, and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
The UAE believes that the Arab League needs to be restructured to become a viable institution, and would like to increase the strength and interoperability of the GCC defense forces.
The UAE is a member of the following international organizations: UN and several of its specialized agencies (ICAO, ILO, UPU, WHO, WIPO); World Bank, IMF, Arab League, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), OPEC, Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries, and the Non-Aligned Movement.
In October 2010, the UAE was granted observer status at the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie
As a result of the foreign policy of the UAE, the Emirati passport became the largest individual climber in Henley & Partners Passport Index in 2018 over the past decade, increasing its global rank by 28 places. According to the Henley Passport Index, as of 28 March 2019, Emirati citizens had visa-free or visa on arrival access to 165 countries and territories, ranking the Emirati passport 21st in the world in terms of travel freedom.
In July 2024, The UAE and Japan signed multiple agreements to enhance business ties, including a $3 billion green financing deal and cooperation on energy reserves. Bilateral trade reached $47.4 billion in 2023, with the UAE as Japan's top GCC trading partner and a major oil supplier.
In January 2025, the UAE condemned the 2025 Point Triple attack on Benin.

## Diplomatic relations

List of countries which the United Arab Emirates maintains diplomatic relations with:
Date :
| 1 | United Kingdom | 6 December 1971 |
| 2 | Belgium | 8 December 1971 |
| 3 | Jordan | 8 December 1971 |
| 4 | Sudan | December 1971 |
| 5 | Bahrain | 1971 |
| 6 | Iraq | 1971 |
| 7 | Italy | 1971 |
| 8 | France | 5 January 1972 |
| 9 | India | 6 January 1972 |
| 10 | Lebanon | 8 January 1972 |
| 11 | Pakistan | 13 January 1972 |
| 12 | Syria | 19 January 1972 |
| 13 | Kuwait | 8 March 1972 |
| 14 | United States | 20 March 1972 |
| 15 | Japan | 4 May 1972 |
| 16 | Netherlands | 6 May 1972 |
| 17 | Germany | 17 May 1972 |
| 18 | Libya | 24 May 1972 |
| 19 | Tunisia | 14 June 1972 |
| 20 | Morocco | 14 July 1972 |
| 21 | Egypt | 26 October 1972 |
| 22 | Iran | 28 October 1972 |
| 23 | Spain | 10 November 1972 |
| 24 | Somalia | 29 November 1972 |
| 25 | Sweden | 1972 |
| 26 | Tanzania | 8 January 1973 |
| 27 | Mauritania | 16 March 1973 |
| 28 | Turkey | 21 March 1973 |
| 29 | Oman | 1 April 1973 |
| 30 | Afghanistan | 6 April 1973 |
| 31 | Chad | 7 April 1973 |
| 32 | Norway | 4 July 1973 |
| 33 | Algeria | 6 July 1973 |
| 34 | Senegal | 23 July 1973 |
| 35 | Switzerland | 12 September 1973 |
| 36 | Malta | 20 November 1973 |
| 37 | Gabon | 6 January 1974 |
| 38 | Canada | 2 February 1974 |
| 39 | Argentina | 26 February 1974 |
| 40 | Burundi | February 1974 |
| 41 | Bangladesh | 9 March 1974 |
| 42 | Austria | 10 March 1974 |
| 43 | Brazil | 10 June 1974 |
| 44 | Philippines | 19 August 1974 |
| 45 | Saudi Arabia | 21 August 1974 |
| 46 | Ireland | 8 October 1974 |
| 47 | Zambia | 29 November 1974 |
| 48 | Denmark | 18 January 1975 |
| 49 | Finland | 21 February 1975 |
| 50 | Cameroon | 24 February 1975 |
| 51 | Australia | 10 March 1975 |
| 52 | Ecuador | 9 June 1975 |
| 53 | Venezuela | 18 June 1975 |
| 54 | Lesotho | 8 July 1975 |
| 55 | Gambia | 9 July 1975 |
| 56 | Niger | 9 July 1975 |
| 57 | Mexico | 12 September 1975 |
| 58 | Thailand | 12 December 1975 |
| 59 | Grenada | 1975 |
| 60 | Qatar | 1975 |
| 61 | Colombia | 1 January 1976 |
| 62 | Mauritius | 4 January 1976 |
| 63 | Indonesia | 30 April 1976 |
| 64 | Portugal | 20 June 1976 |
| 65 | Greece | 21 June 1976 |
| 66 | Nepal | 22 January 1977 |
| 67 | Comoros | 2 June 1977 |
| 68 | Burkina Faso | 16 January 1978 |
| 69 | Maldives | 15 March 1978 |
| 70 | Chile | 23 June 1978 |
| 71 | Sri Lanka | 19 July 1979 |
| 72 | Uruguay | 4 April 1980 |
| 73 | Luxembourg | 6 May 1980 |
| 74 | South Korea | 18 June 1980 |
| 75 | Mali | 18 August 1981 |
| 76 | Ghana | 25 August 1981 |
| 77 | Djibouti | 26 December 1981 |
| 78 | Nigeria | 20 January 1982 |
| 79 | Kenya | 5 June 1982 |
| 80 | Sierra Leone | 5 October 1982 |
| 81 | Seychelles | 18 December 1982 |
| 82 | Malaysia | 23 June 1983 |
| 83 | China | 1 November 1984 |
| 84 | Singapore | 15 May 1985 |
| 85 | New Zealand | 20 May 1985 |
| 86 | Russia | 13 November 1985 |
| 87 | Benin | 5 January 1986 |
| 88 | Peru | 17 June 1986 |
| 89 | Bolivia | 1 December 1986 |
| 90 | Czech Republic | 7 June 1988 |
| — | State of Palestine | 17 November 1988 |
| 91 | Romania | 1 August 1989 |
| 92 | Hungary | 2 August 1989 |
| 93 | Poland | 4 September 1989 |
| 94 | Nicaragua | 1 August 1991 |
| 95 | Bulgaria | 10 October 1991 |
| 96 | Belize | 10 December 1991 |
| 97 | Brunei | 28 May 1992 |
| 98 | Albania | 1 June 1992 |
| 99 | Croatia | 23 June 1992 |
| 100 | Azerbaijan | 1 September 1992 |
| 101 | Kazakhstan | 1 October 1992 |
| 102 | Slovenia | 15 October 1992 |
| 103 | Ukraine | 15 October 1992 |
| 104 | Lithuania | 16 October 1992 |
| 105 | Belarus | 20 October 1992 |
| 106 | Georgia | 20 October 1992 |
| 107 | Uzbekistan | 25 October 1992 |
| 108 | Guatemala | 15 December 1992 |
| 109 | Slovakia | 3 February 1993 |
| 110 | Panama | 9 March 1993 |
| 111 | Ethiopia | 5 May 1993 |
| 112 | Eritrea | 28 June 1993 |
| 113 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 1 August 1993 |
| 114 | Vietnam | 1 August 1993 |
| 115 | South Africa | 17 May 1994 |
| 116 | Ivory Coast | 30 May 1994 |
| 117 | Cambodia | 21 October 1994 |
| 118 | Guyana | 6 February 1995 |
| 119 | Guinea | 2 June 1995 |
| 120 | Latvia | 18 September 1995 |
| 121 | Turkmenistan | 10 October 1995 |
| 122 | Tajikistan | 19 December 1995 |
| 123 | Moldova | 21 December 1995 |
| 124 | Rwanda | 1995 |
| 125 | Barbados | 8 January 1996 |
| 126 | Honduras | 26 February 1996 |
| 127 | Mongolia | 1 April 1996 |
| 128 | Mozambique | 3 April 1996 |
| 129 | North Macedonia | 27 May 1996 |
| 130 | Malawi | 12 June 1996 |
| 131 | Zimbabwe | 24 June 1996 |
| 132 | Namibia | 22 July 1996 |
| 133 | Kyrgyzstan | 1 August 1996 |
| 134 | Laos | 15 October 1996 |
| 135 | São Tomé and Príncipe | 24 October 1997 |
| 136 | Angola | 11 December 1997 |
| 137 | Armenia | 25 June 1998 |
| 138 | Suriname | 7 October 1999 |
| 139 | Cuba | 18 March 2002 |
| 140 | Iceland | 17 September 2003 |
| 141 | Eswatini | 2 November 2005 |
| 142 | Estonia | 28 March 2006 |
| 143 | Botswana | 28 April 2006 |
| 144 | Cape Verde | July 2006 |
| 145 | El Salvador | 15 March 2007 |
| 146 | Serbia | 21 March 2007 |
| 147 | Nauru | 27 March 2007 |
| 148 | Antigua and Barbuda | 4 May 2007 |
| 149 | Republic of the Congo | 21 May 2007 |
| — | Holy See | 30 May 2007 |
| 150 | Cyprus | 6 June 2007 |
| 151 | Paraguay | 13 July 2007 |
| 152 | Tonga | 13 July 2007 |
| — | North Korea (suspended) | 17 September 2007 |
| 153 | Togo | 6 December 2007 |
| 154 | Uganda | 2007 |
| 155 | Montenegro | 4 April 2008 |
| 156 | Andorra | 23 September 2008 |
| 157 | Dominican Republic | 12 November 2008 |
| 158 | San Marino | 28 January 2009 |
| 159 | Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | 20 February 2009 |
| 160 | Liberia | 6 May 2009 |
| 161 | Central African Republic | 22 May 2009 |
| 162 | Vanuatu | 23 June 2009 |
| 163 | Monaco | 9 October 2009 |
| 164 | Palau | 16 October 2009 |
| 165 | Haiti | 21 October 2009 |
| 166 | Liechtenstein | 22 October 2009 |
| 167 | Timor-Leste | 13 November 2009 |
| 168 | Costa Rica | 11 March 2010 |
| 169 | Fiji | 17 March 2010 |
| 170 | Tuvalu | 29 March 2010 |
| — | Kosovo | 27 April 2010 |
| 171 | Solomon Islands | 29 April 2010 |
| 172 | Samoa | 11 May 2010 |
| 173 | Marshall Islands | 3 June 2010 |
| 174 | Saint Kitts and Nevis | 16 June 2010 |
| 175 | Saint Lucia | 29 November 2010 |
| 176 | Jamaica | 4 March 2011 |
| 177 | Bahamas | 2 May 2011 |
| 178 | Bhutan | 13 September 2012 |
| 179 | Dominica | 17 December 2014 |
| 180 | South Sudan | 23 June 2016 |
| 181 | Federated States of Micronesia | 8 September 2016 |
| 182 | Madagascar | 22 September 2016 |
| 183 | Papua New Guinea | 22 March 2017 |
| 184 | Democratic Republic of the Congo | 1 November 2017 |
| — | Cook Islands | 5 August 2018 |
| 185 | Kiribati | 13 January 2019 |
| 186 | Guinea-Bissau | 28 June 2019 |
| 187 | Equatorial Guinea | 13 July 2019 |
| 188 | Israel | 11 September 2020 |
| 189 | Myanmar | 9 November 2020 |
| 190 | Trinidad and Tobago | Unknown |
| 191 | Yemen | Unknown |

## Africa

| Country | Formal Relations Began | Notes |
| Algeria | 6 July 1973 | See Algeria–United Arab Emirates relations Both countries established diplomatic relations on 6 July 1973 when UAE officials opened an embassy in Algiers Algeria has an embassy in Abu Dhabi. The United Arab Emirates has an embassy in Algiers. |
| Egypt | 10 January 1972, severed diplomatic relations from 25 April 1979, Restored 11 November 1987 | See Egypt–United Arab Emirates relations Both countries established diplomatic relations on 10 January 1972 Since the establishment of The UAE in 1971, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates relations were always at a good level and developing at an unprecedented rate. The bond of friendship between the leaders of both countries has reflected on the growing political, economic and cultural ties between them, as a result, UAE ranks first among Arab and foreign countries investing in Egypt. The UAE and Egypt maintain a close economic ties and maintain trade between the two countries with imports and exports between the two sides. |
| Eritrea | 28 June 1993 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 28 June 1993 Eritrea has an embassy in Abu Dhabi and a consulate-general in Dubai. The United Arab Emirates has a military base in Assab. |
| Kenya | 5 June 1982 | See Kenya–United Arab Emirates relations Both countries established diplomatic relations on 5 June 1982. Kenya has an embassy in Abu Dhabi and a consulate-general in Dubai. The United Arab Emirates has an embassy in Nairobi. |
| Liberia | 6 May 2009 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 6 May 2009 Liberia has a Consulate General in Dubai. Relations with The UAE are very good with multiple bilateral agreement signed in 2019. |
| Libya | 24 May 1972 | The UAE maintains a forward operating base at the Al-Khadim Airport, near Marj. |
| Senegal | 23 July 1973 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 23 July 1973 The United Arab Emirates established an embassy in Dakar in March 2018, which was unveiled by Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The Abu Dhabi Fund for Development loaned Senegal $13 million to invest in rural solar energy. |
| Somalia | 29 November 1972 | See Somalia–United Arab Emirates relations Both countries established diplomatic relations on 29 November 1972 Somalia has an embassy in Abu Dhabi. The United Arab Emirates has an embassy in Mogadishu. |

## Americas

| Country | Formal Relations Began | Notes |
| Argentina | 26 February 1974 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 26 February 1974. Argentina has an embassy in Abu Dhabi. The United Arab Emirates has an embassy in Buenos Aires. |
| Barbados | 8 January 1996 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 8 January 1996. In 2022 the government of Barbados opened an embassy in Dubai. In 2023 the Government of Dubai signed a deal to operate the sole International airport in Barbados. |
| Brazil | 26 May 1974 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 26 May 1974 Brazil has an embassy in Abu Dhabi. The United Arab Emirates has an embassy in Brasília. |
| Canada | 2 February 1974 | See Canada–United Arab Emirates relations Both countries established diplomatic relations on 2 February 1974 Canada has an embassy in Abu Dhabi and a consulate-general in Dubai. The United Arab Emirates has an embassy in Ottawa. |
| Chile | 23 June 1978 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 23 June 1978 Chile has an embassy in Abu Dhabi. The United Arab Emirates has an embassy in Santiago. |
| Colombia | 1 January 1976 | See Colombia–United Arab Emirates relations Both countries established diplomatic relations on 1 January 1976 Colombia has an embassy in Abu Dhabi. The United Arab Emirates has an embassy in Bogotá. |
| Mexico | 12 September 1975 | See Mexico–United Arab Emirates relations Both countries established diplomatic relations on 12 September 1975 Mexico has an embassy in Abu Dhabi. The United Arab Emirates has an embassy in Mexico City. |
| Peru | 17 June 1986 | Main article: Peru–United Arab Emirates relations Both countries established diplomatic relations on 17 June 1986 Peru has a consulate-general in Dubai. The United Arab Emirates has an embassy in Lima. |
| United States | 20 March 1972 | See United Arab Emirates–United States relations The UAE's strategic relationship with the United States dates back to the 1990 invasion of Kuwait. Subsequent to joining the military effort, the two countries signed an agreement in late 1992 permitting the United States to use some UAE bases temporarily and to pre-position supplies on UAE territory. Since 25 July 1994, a formal Defense Cooperation Agreement has been in place. Ten years later, despite publicly opposing the US led war in Iraq, the UAE permitted a minimal amount of US forces to support the operation from the Al Dhafra air base, Jebel Ali, and naval facilities at Fujairah. Enhancing security relations, has been a US arms sale in March 2000 to the Emirates, valued at $8 billion and included over $2 billion worth of weapons, munitions, and services. A nuclear deal was signed between the US and the UAE meant to supply nuclear technology, expertise and fuel. Despite international opposition to neighboring Iran's nuclear developments, the US is confident of the UAE's compliance with the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty and the International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards to refrain from enriching uranium and extracting plutonium. It firmly believes this agreement "has the potential to usher in an era of responsible nuclear-energy development throughout the Middle East." Commercially, the UAE is also the States' largest export market in the Middle East constituting $11.6 billion in exports annually. In March 2005, the US opened negotiations on a free trade agreement and despite intermittent depreciation of currencies in the Persian Gulf area, the UAE dirham remains pegged to the dollar. The two countries have also maintained close ties through an exchange of cultural and educational partnerships which include the Guggenheim Museum, and a number of American Universities opening campuses in the Emirates. The United Arab Emirates has an embassy in Washington, DC and a consulate-general in Boston, Los Angeles, and New York City. The United States has an embassy in Abu Dhabi and a consulate-general in Dubai. |

## Asia

| Country | Formal Relations Began | Notes |
| Afghanistan | 6 April 1973 | See Afghanistan–United Arab Emirates relations Both countries established diplomatic relations on 6 April 1973 Afghanistan has an embassy in Abu Dhabi and a consulate general in Dubai. The United Arab Emirates has an embassy in Kabul. |
| Armenia | 25 June 1998 | See Armenia–United Arab Emirates relations Both countries established diplomatic relations on 25 June 1998. Armenia has an embassy in Abu Dhabi. The United Arab Emirates has an embassy in Yerevan. |
| Azerbaijan | 1 September 1992 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 1 September 1992 The United Arab Emirates recognized the independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan on December 26, 1991. Azerbaijan has an embassy in Abu Dhabi. The United Arab Emirates has an embassy in Baku. |
| Bahrain | 1971 | See Bahrain–United Arab Emirates relations Bahrain has an embassy in Abu Dhabi. The United Arab Emirates has an embassy in Manama. |
| China | 1 November 1984 | See China–United Arab Emirates relations Both countries established diplomatic relations on 1 November 1984 Over the years, the relations between the UAE and China intensified, causing increasing issues with an important western ally, the US. From the Chinese technology to crude oil and to COVID-19 vaccine, the Emirates began to expand its reliance on China. In 2021, the US raised multiple warnings for the Emirates to move back in its growing relations with China. The Biden administration pushed the Emirates to abandon Huawei's telecommunication network, which was a potential threat to a crucial deal of F-35 fighter jet and other military equipment between the UAE and US. The US also warned the Emirates of a military facility that was secretly being built by China at a port near Abu Dhabi. The US intelligence warnings and multiple trips by the American officials to the UAE let to a halt in the construction of the facility. China has an embassy in Abu Dhabi and a consulate-general in Dubai. The United Arab Emirates has an embassy in Beijing and consulates-general in Hong Kong and Shanghai. The UAE and China have been strong international allies, with significant cooperation across economic, political and cultural aspects. |
| India | 23 February 1972 | See India–United Arab Emirates relations UAE enjoys close economic and cultural relations with India. Close maritime contact between India and the Arabian Peninsula date back to 3rd and 2nd millennium BC. and textile and spice trade between the two countries flourished during most of 1st millennium AD. The discovery of oil allowed the UAE to increase and diversify its trade relations with India. UAE and India are each other's main trading partners. The trade totals over $75 billion (AED275.25 billion). During the first half of 2010, non-oil trade between India and the UAE stood at US$20.4 billion. UAE is home to more than 3 million Indian expatriates, making Indians the largest ethnic group in the nation. India has an embassy in Abu Dhabi and a consulate-general in Dubai. The United Arab Emirates has an embassy in New Delhi. |
| Indonesia | 1976 | See Indonesia–United Arab Emirates relations The diplomatic relations between Indonesia and United Arab Emirates are friendly and cordial since they were established in 1976. Both Muslim majority countries, they each recognize the other's important role its respective region. Indonesia has an embassy in Abu Dhabi, while the United Arab Emirates has an embassy in Jakarta. Both countries are partners in multilateral organizations, such as the World Trade Organization (WTO), The Non-Aligned Movement and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Indonesia uses the UAE as the main gate to enter the Persian Gulf and Middle East market, Indonesia's export to UAE is the largest in the Middle East. Indonesian Government has established the trade and investment representative office to promote its products in United Arab Emirates and the entire Middle East region. |
| Iran | 28 October 1972 | See Iran–United Arab Emirates relations Both countries established diplomatic relations on 28 October 1972 Iran has an embassy in Abu Dhabi and a consulate-general in Dubai. The United Arab Emirates has an embassy in Tehran. The embassy is administered by a Chargés d'affaires en pied. Iran and United Arab Emirates both claims three islands in the Persian Gulf (Abu Musa, Greater Tunb, and Lesser Tunb). |
| Iraq | 1971 | See Iraq–United Arab Emirates relations The 1990 Iraqi invasion and occupation of Kuwait were a shock to the UAE. For the UAE, the crisis over Kuwait demonstrated a lack of Arab unity on a critical Arab issue. The UAE joined the Arab states that opposed the Iraqi invasion and supported the use of force to compel Iraq's withdrawal of troops from Kuwait. Prior to the 2003 invasion of Iraq, the UAE opposed the US-led invasion. In June 2008, the Iraqi government announced that the United Arab Emirates would send an ambassador to Baghdad within a few days. This would become the first Arab ambassador in Iraq since the kidnapping and murder of the Egyptian Ambassador Ihab el-Sherif in July 2005. This announcement was made during a surprise visit by the United Arab Emirates' Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan to Baghdad on 5 June 2008. This marked the first time a high-ranking official from a Gulf state visited Iraq since March 2003. On 31 July 2007 following Iraq victory of the Asian Cup, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vice-president and prime minister of the UAE awarded the Iraq national football team 20 million Dhs, ($5.2 million) for capturing the Asian Cup for the first time in the country's history. |
| Israel | 15 September 2020 | See Israel–United Arab Emirates relations Israel has an embassy in Abu Dhabi and a consulate-general in Dubai. The United Arab Emirates has an embassy in Tel Aviv. The Abraham Agreement has opened a new window of opportunity for normalization between Israel and the UAE. However, some analysts, such as Salem Al Ketbi, reject "zero-sum arguments" and suggest that relations with Israel and Iran do not preclude each other. As a response to the 2023 Israel-Hamas War, the UAE condemned Hamas for its "serious and grave escalation" and its hostage taking. |
| Jordan | 1972 | Jordan was the first country to recognize UAE after forming the union in 1971. The first commander in Chief in the UAE military was Jordanian, and the first commander in Zayed Military college was Jordanian as well. Making Jordan effectively one of a key partners of forming the UAE. The relationship between UAE and Jordan dates to the 1950s, before UAE gain independence and form the union. Jordan at the time used to aid UAE with educational, military, and health care missions, when UAE was still a barren desert. |
| Kuwait | 8 March 1972 | See Kuwait–United Arab Emirates relations Both countries established diplomatic relations on 8 March 1972 Kuwait has an embassy in Abu Dhabi and a consulate-general in Dubai. The United Arab Emirates has an embassy in Kuwait City. |
| Malaysia | 11 September 1974 | See Malaysia–United Arab Emirates relations The United Arab Emirates has an embassy in Kuala Lumpur, and Malaysia has an embassy in Abu Dhabi. The countries established diplomatic relations in 1983. In 2005 Malaysia's export to the UAE stood at Dh7 billion. Main export items were gold and jewellery, wood products (furniture and parts), palm oil, petroleum products and electrical appliances. In 2007, trade between Malaysia and UAE was worth MYR 14.56 billion making UAE, Malaysia's largest trading partner in West Asia as well as Malaysia being the 10th largest exporter to UAE. In 2009, Malaysian ambassador Datuk Yahaya Abdul Jabar said total trade between Malaysia and UAE from January to November stood at RM19.5 billion. Malaysia's main exports to the UAE are jewellery, consumer electronics and palm oil. |
| Oman | 1 April 1973 | See Oman–United Arab Emirates relations Both countries established full diplomatic relations on 1 April 1973 Oman has an embassy in Abu Dhabi and a consulate-general in Dubai. The United Arab Emirates has an embassy in Muscat. |
| Pakistan | 13 January 1972 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 13 January 1972 See Pakistan–United Arab Emirates relations Pakistan and the UAE are very close allies with extremely close relations based on cultural affinities and shared faith. These relations date back to the UAE's formation in 1971, and have since developed into wide-ranging co-operation in various fields. UAE has been a major donor of economic assistance to Pakistan. Sheikh Zayed International Airport in Rahim Yar Khan, in the Punjab province of Pakistan is an example of UAE's economic assistance as the late president and the founder of the UAE Sheikh Zayed donated the airport to the government of Pakistan. UAE has emerged as one of Pakistan's major economic and trading partners. A large number of Pakistani expatriates, numbering nearly 1.2 million are gainfully employed in UAE. |
| Qatar | 1975 | See Qatar–United Arab Emirates relations Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1975. The UAE alongside multiple Middle Eastern and African countries cut diplomatic ties with Qatar in June 2017 due to allegations of Qatar being a state sponsor of terrorism, resulting in the Qatar diplomatic crisis. Ties were restored in January 2021. In June 2023, both countries reopened their embassies and appointed ambassadors in July and August. |
| Saudi Arabia | 21 August 1974 | See Saudi Arabia–United Arab Emirates relations Both countries established diplomatic relations on 21 August 1974. Saudi Arabia has an embassy in Abu Dhabi and a consulate-general in Dubai. The United Arab Emirates has an embassy in Riyadh and a consulate-general in Jeddah. |
| South Korea | 18 June 1980 | See South Korea–United Arab Emirates relations Both countries established diplomatic relations on 18 June 1980 South Korea has an embassy Abu Dhabi. The United Arab Emirates has an embassy in Seoul. |
| Sri Lanka | 19 July 1979 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 19 July 1979 See Sri Lanka-United Arab Emirates relations Sri Lanka has an embassy in Abu Dhabi. The United Arab Emirates has an embassy in Colombo. |
| Syria | 19 January 1972 | See Syria–United Arab Emirates relations Both countries established diplomatic relations on 19 January 1972 The UAE has an embassy in Damascus. Syria has an embassy in Abu Dhabi and a consulate-general in Dubai. Both countries are members of the Arab League. On 18 March 2022, Bashar al-Assad visited the UAE for the first time since 2011. He met Dubai's Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and the UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for the peace deal. The US fully opposed the relations building between the UAE and Syria. Despite the US opposition, the UAE was still building relation with Syria. On 19 March 2023, Assad visited the UAE again, with his wife Asma al Assad. |
| Thailand | 12 December 1975 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 12 December 1975 Thailand has an embassy in Abu Dhabi and a consulate-general in Dubai. The United Arab Emirates has an embassy in Bangkok |
| Turkey | 21 March 1973 | See Turkey–United Arab Emirates relations Both countries established diplomatic relations on 21 March 1973 Turkey has an embassy in Abu Dhabi and a consulate-general in Dubai. The United Arab Emirates has an embassy in Ankara and a consulate-general in Istanbul. |
| Vietnam | 1 August 1993 | See United Arab Emirates–Vietnam relations Both countries established diplomatic relations on 1 August 1993 Vietnam has an embassy in Abu Dhabi. The United Arab Emirates has an embassy in Hanoi. |
| Yemen | | See United Arab Emirates-Yemen relations The UAE and Yemen have a complex and strained relationship, as the UAE has played a significant role in regional politics in Yemen, and has at various points been an adversary of the country, as the UAE's involvement in Yemen, for example the United Arab Emirates takeover of Socotra, and its support for the Southern Transitional Council, a secessionist organization in Southern Yemen, has been a source of tension between the two countries, and has contributed to the ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis in the country. Furthermore, the UAE has been involved in other efforts in Yemen that have been controversial. The country has been accused of backing local militias and separatist groups that have sought to gain more autonomy or independence from the central government. Some critics have accused the UAE of using these groups to further its own interests in the region, rather than working towards a broader peace and stability in Yemen. |

## Europe

| Country | Formal Relations Began | Notes |
| Austria | 10 March 1974 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 10 March 1974 Austria has an embassy in Abu Dhabi. United Arab Emirates has an embassy in Vienna. |
| Cyprus | 6 June 2007 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 6 June 2007 Cyprus has an embassy in Abu Dhabi The United Arab Emirates has an embassy in Nicosia. |
| Denmark | 18 January 1975 | See Denmark–United Arab Emirates relations Both countries established diplomatic relations on 18 January 1975 Denmark has an embassy in Abu Dhabi. The United Arab Emirates is accredited to Denmark from its embassy in Stockholm, Sweden. |
| Finland | 21 February 1975 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 21 February 1975 Finland has an embassy in Abu Dhabi. The United Arab Emirates has an embassy in Helsinki. |
| France | 5 January 1972 | See France–United Arab Emirates relations The UAE's relationship with France has been strategically important as it negotiated a defence cooperation agreement and remains one of the country's primary providers of military material. France and the UAE have signed a defence cooperation agreement in order to diversity its procurement from solely the US. Culturally, as the Sorbonne and Louvre are both establishing extensions in the UAE, a plan is in the works to recreate a miniature Lyon city in Dubai complete with public squares, restaurants and museums. On 25 May 2009, the French president Nicolas Sarkozy visited the UAE, Abu Dhabi where he along with UAE's president Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan formally opened a French military base in the United Arab Emirates. This would become France's first permanent base in the Persian Gulf, hosting up to 500 French troops. In addition to the inauguration of Peace Camp, Nicolas Sarkozy visited the site of a Louvre Museum branch which France is opening in the United Arab Emirates. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs, said that the co-operation with France is a top priority for the UAE's foreign policy. |
| Germany | 17 May 1972 | See Germany–United Arab Emirates relations Both countries established diplomatic relations on 17 May 1972 German exports amount to 5.84 billion Euros. German companies significantly contribute to the UAE's ongoing infrastructure projects and play a leading role in the country's alternative energy developments. Consequently, German Business Park, an area designed to house several of the already seven hundred present companies and their logistical needs, is in the midst of construction. |
| Greece | 21 June 1976 | See Greece–United Arab Emirates relations Greece has an embassy in Abu Dhabi and an economic and commercial affairs office in Dubai. United Arab Emirates has an embassy in Athens. |
| Ireland | 8 October 1974 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 8 October 1974 Ireland has an embassy in Abu Dhabi. The United Arab Emirates has an embassy in Dublin. |
| Italy | 1971 | Italy has an embassy in Abu Dhabi and an consulate-general in Dubai. United Arab Emirates has an embassy in Rome. |
| Kosovo | 14 October 2008 | See Kosovo–United Arab Emirates relations Kosovo has an embassy in Abu Dhabi. The United Arab Emirates is accredited to Kosovo from its embassy in Ankara, Turkey. |
| Netherlands | 6 May 1972 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 6 May 1972 The Netherlands has an embassy in Abu Dhabi. The United Arab Emirates has an embassy in The Hague. |
| Poland | 4 September 1989 | See Poland–United Arab Emirates relations Both countries established diplomatic relations on 4 September 1989 Poland has an embassy in Abu Dhabi. The United Arab Emirates has an embassy in Warsaw. |
| Portugal | 20 June 1976 | See Portugal–United Arab Emirates relations Both countries established diplomatic relations on 20 June 1976. Portugal has an embassy in Abu Dhabi. The United Arab Emirates has an embassy in Lisbon. |
| Romania | 1 August 1989 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 1 August 1989 |
| Russia | 13 November 1985 | See Russia–United Arab Emirates relations Both countries established diplomatic relations on 13 November 1985. Russia has an embassy in Abu Dhabi and a consulate-general in Dubai. The United Arab Emirates has an embassy in Moscow. |
| Serbia | 21 March 2007 | See Serbia–United Arab Emirates relations Both countries established diplomatic relations on 21 March 2007 Serbia has an embassy in Abu Dhabi. The United Arab Emirates has an embassy in Belgrade. |
| Spain | 10 November 1972 | See Spain–United Arab Emirates relations Both countries established diplomatic relations on 10 November 1972. Spain has an embassy in Abu Dhabi and a commercial office in Dubai. The United Arab Emirates has an embassy in Madrid. |
| Sweden | | Sweden has an embassy in Abu Dhabi. The United Arab Emirates has an embassy in Stockholm. |
| Ukraine | 15 October 1992 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 15 October 1992 Ukraine has an embassy in Abu Dhabi. The United Arab Emirates has an embassy in Kyiv. When Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, the UAE abstained in a U.N. Security Council vote to condemn Russia's invasion. The UAE later condemned Russia in a U.N. General Assembly vote. |
| United Kingdom | 6 December 1971 | See United Arab Emirates–United Kingdom relations The United Arab Emirates established diplomatic relations with the United Kingdom on 6 December 1971. The United Arab Emirates maintains an embassy in London. The United Kingdom is accredited to the United Arab Emirates through its embassies in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The UK governed the United Arab Emirates from 1920 to 1971, when the United Arab Emirates achieved full independence. Both countries share common membership of the World Trade Organization. Bilaterally the two countries have a Defence Cooperation Accord, an Investment Agreement, and a Partnership for the Future. The UK and the Gulf Cooperation Council, of which the United Arab Emirates is a member, are negotiating a Free Trade Agreement. |

## Oceania

| Country | Formal Relations Began | Notes |
| Australia | 16 March 1975 | See Australia–United Arab Emirates relations Australia has an embassy in Abu Dhabi and a consulate-general in Dubai. The United Arab Emirates has an embassy in Canberra. |
| New Zealand | 20 May 1985 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 20 May 1985 New Zealand has an embassy in Abu Dhabi. The United Arab Emirates has an embassy in Wellington. In January 2025, the New Zealand and UAE governments signed a comprehensive economic partnership agreement, cutting tariffs on 98.5% of New Zealand exports to the UAE. |

## Territorial disputes

* Location and status of boundary with Saudi Arabia is not final, de facto boundary reflects 1974 agreement; no defined boundary with most of Oman, but Administrative Line in far north;
* UAE claims two islands through the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah in the Persian Gulf that are currently controlled by Iran: Lesser Tunb (called Tunb as Sughra in Arabic by UAE and Jazireh-ye Tonb-e Kuchak in Persian by Iran) and Greater Tunb (called Tunb al Kubra in Arabic by UAE and Jazireh-ye Tonb-e Bozorg in Persian by Iran);
* UAE claims an island through the Emirate of Sharjah in the Persian Gulf that is currently administered by Iran (called Abu Musa in Arabic by UAE and Jazireh-ye Abu Musa in Persian by Iran) - over which Iran has taken steps to exert unilateral control since 1992, including access restrictions and a military build-up on the island.