Today's Edition
Imam Mohammad Tawhidi*
The United Arab Emirates, Rome (as the heart of Italy), and the Vatican represent a fascinating triad of relations that blend modern diplomacy, economic ambition, and interfaith harmony. The UAE’s ties with Italy have evolved into a robust strategic partnership, while relations with the Vatican have pioneered ground-breaking interreligious dialogue. This relationship is vital not only for the parties involved but also for global stability, as it exemplifies how a Muslim nation can forge deep connections with ancient European powers. Rooted in shared interests in trade, security, and cultural exchange, these bonds have strengthened amid geopolitical shifts, with 2025 marking a pivotal year of enhanced cooperation.
Historically, diplomatic relations between the UAE and Italy date back to 1972, shortly after the UAE’s independence. Early interactions focused on trade, particularly in pearls and goods, but formalized ties grew through mutual recognition of each other’s strategic importance. Italy, as a founding member of the European Union and NATO, saw the UAE as a gateway to the Middle East, while the UAE viewed Italy as a conduit to European markets and technology.
The first state visit by a UAE president to Italy in February 2025 elevated this to a comprehensive strategic partnership, highlighting decades of building trust. President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan commenced a state visit to the Italian Republic on Monday, 24th February. During the visit, His Highness held talks with His Excellency President Sergio Mattarella and Her Excellency Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, focusing on bilateral cooperation, particularly in the fields of economy, investment, renewable energy, advanced technology, artificial intelligence, and cultural exchange.
Similarly, the Vatican’s engagement with the UAE began with profound impact. The Holy See established formal relations in 2007, but the landmark moment was Pope Francis’s historic visit to Abu Dhabi in February 2019; the first papal trip to the Arabian Peninsula. This visit culminated in the signing of the Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together. It symbolized a commitment to tolerance, influencing global interfaith initiatives.
Economically, the UAE-Italy partnership is a powerhouse of mutual benefit. Bilateral non-oil trade reached approximately $7.9 billion in the first half of 2025, a 14.6% increase from the previous year, with projections for the full year exceeding $9.8 billion. Key sectors include industrial technology, energy, and defense. The UAE exports refined petroleum, raw aluminum, and gold to Italy, while importing machinery, luxury goods, and advanced manufacturing equipment. A historic $40 billion investment agreement signed in February 2025 commits UAE funds to Italian sectors like AI, data centers, and renewable energy, positioning Italy as a European hub for Emirati capital. This deal, announced during the UAE president’s visit, includes over 40 bilateral agreements, fostering joint ventures in defense and infrastructure.
Italian firms like Eni and Leonardo have deepened their presence in the UAE, collaborating on oil exploration and aerospace projects. Meanwhile, the UAE’s sovereign wealth funds, such as Mubadala, have invested in Italian assets ranging from fashion houses to tech start-ups. This economic synergy extends to Rome as a cultural and business nexus, with UAE investments supporting Italian innovation hubs.
The Vatican dimension adds a spiritual layer, making the relationship uniquely vital for promoting global peace. The 2019 papal visit not only boosted the UAE’s image as a tolerant society but also led to tangible outcomes like the Abrahamic Family House in Abu Dhabi; a complex housing a mosque, church, and synagogue, opened in 2023. This initiative embodies the Human Fraternity Document’s ethos, encouraging dialogue amid rising extremism.
Pope Francis had praised the UAE as a “land of coexistence,” highlighting its role in interfaith education and humanitarian efforts. Collaborative agreements, such as the 2021 pact between the Vatican’s Congregation for Catholic Education and the UAE’s Ministry of Education, focus on promoting tolerance through curricula. In 2025, UAE religious officials met Pope Francis in the Vatican to discuss ongoing fraternity efforts, reinforcing ties amid global challenges like climate change and migration. These interactions transcend diplomacy, influencing broader Middle East-Vatican relations.
Cultural exchanges further cement this triad. Italy’s Istituto Italiano di Cultura (IIC) in Abu Dhabi promotes Italian language, art, and history, facilitating idea-sharing between the two societies. Joint events, from art exhibitions to film festivals, highlight shared Mediterranean heritage. With the Vatican, cultural ties manifest in interreligious symposia and artifact exchanges, drawing on Rome’s ancient legacy. The UAE’s participation in Vatican-hosted dialogues on human rights and peace amplifies this. Recent developments include UAE-Italy collaborations in education and tourism, with direct flights between Rome and Abu Dhabi boosting people-to-people connections.
A notable recent development in this vital relationship is the European research tour by TRENDS Research & Advisory, which included key activities in Rome on October 14, 2025. TRENDS signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Centro Studi Internazionali (CeSI), aiming to enhance collaboration on Mediterranean security, interfaith dialogue, and regional stability. Discussions with the Istituto Affari Internazionali (IAI) explored joint initiatives in connectivity and Middle East-Africa programs. The tour also marked the opening of TRENDS’ virtual office in Rome, serving as a hub for intellectual exchanges.
Security and geopolitical alignment add another layer of vitality. Italy and the UAE coordinate on Mediterranean stability, countering terrorism, and energy security. As NATO partners, they engage in joint military exercises, with Italy supplying defense systems to the UAE. The Vatican, through its moral authority, supports UAE-led peace efforts in Yemen and Libya. In 2025, amid global turbulence, the $40 billion pact includes defense components, positioning the duo as stabilizers in a multipolar world. High-level visits, over 30 from Italian officials to the UAE since late 2023, reflect this intensity.
Looking ahead, the relationship promises even greater depth. With the UAE’s Vision 2031 and Italy’s post-pandemic recovery, opportunities in green energy and AI abound. Vatican collaborations could expand to climate initiatives, aligning with Pope Francis’s Laudato Si’ encyclical. Challenges like regional conflicts require sustained dialogue, but the triad’s foundation; built on trust, investment, and shared values… ensures resilience.
The UAE’s bonds with Rome and the Vatican are vital for economic prosperity, cultural enrichment, and global harmony. From historic visits to multibillion-dollar deals, this partnership bridges East and West, offering a model for international relations in an interconnected era. As the world navigates uncertainty, these ties stand as a beacon of cooperation and mutual respect.
*The writer is a Parliamentary Advisor
