Canada
Carney to welcome Abu Dhabi Crown Prince to Ottawa as Canada deepens its UAE partnership
Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan visits October 26–27, with defence, energy, critical minerals and artificial intelligence on the agenda — the latest step in a relationship Ottawa says was transformed this year.
Published: October 25, 2026 · Updated: October 25, 2026 · 1 min read
Prime Minister Mark Carney will welcome the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to Ottawa on October 26–27, the Prime Minister's Office announced on Sunday.
According to the PMO, the two leaders will work to expand the Canada–UAE partnership into defence and security, energy, critical minerals, infrastructure, international development, space and advanced communications technologies, and quantum and artificial intelligence.
The visit caps a year of rapid movement in the relationship. Earlier this year, Canada and the UAE negotiated a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement in a record 47 days, the PMO said, after finalizing a Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement that entered into force in May and gives investors on both sides greater predictability.
"We will turn that potential into concrete results – more trade, new investment, and greater certainty, security, and prosperity for both our peoples," Carney said in the PMO statement.
Why it matters for Canada
The visit fits the government's stated strategy of diversifying Canada's partnerships abroad at a time of trade tension with the United States. For Canada, the UAE offers Gulf investment capital and energy demand that match Canadian strengths in energy, critical minerals and AI — the sectors at the top of the visit's agenda.
What to watch: whether the October 26–27 meetings produce concrete deals or timelines for signing the trade agreement, and what the two sides announce on defence and critical minerals.
What matters
What happened
Carney announced the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince will visit Ottawa October 26–27 to deepen the Canada–UAE partnership.
Why it matters
The UAE is now a central piece of Canada's push to diversify trade and investment beyond the United States, with energy, critical minerals and AI on the table.
What we know
Canada and the UAE negotiated a trade agreement in 47 days this year, and their investment protection agreement has been in force since May.
What we don’t
Whether the visit produces firm investment commitments or stays at the level of partnership pledges.
What’s next
The two leaders meet October 26–27; watch for deal announcements and a timeline for signing the trade agreement.
Sources
- Prime Minister of Canada (PMO) · other
- Abu Dhabi Media Office · other
- The Gulf Time · other
TradeOttawaMark CarneyCanadaUAEAbu Dhabi
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