The Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade of Solomon Islands, Hon. Peter Shanel Agovaka, held a fruitful bilateral meeting with Her Excellency Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, 16 December 2025.
The meeting focused on strengthening and enhancing bilateral relations between Solomon Islands and the UAE. Both Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to working together in areas of cooperation that are mutually beneficial to the two countries and their peoples.
Minister Agovaka highlighted several priority areas where Solomon Islands is keen to collaborate with the UAE, including technical cooperation, digital technology and science, renewable energy, support for climate change mitigation and adaptation programmes, and cyber security.
On the Air Services Agreement (ASA), which was signed by both countries in 2019 but has yet to be implemented, Minister Agovaka sought the UAEโs assistance in providing capacity-building and technical support for Solomon Islanders in the aviation sector.
Both Ministers agreed to collaborate closely on advancing the implementation of the ASA.
On economic and trade cooperation, Minister Agovaka emphasized the importance of the proposed UAEโPacific Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
He reaffirmed Solomon Islandsโ commitment to the CEPA and expressed his countryโs readiness to further engage with the UAE to ensure the agreement delivers mutual benefits.
The discussion also explored new areas of cooperation, including labour mobility and search and rescue.
Minister Agovaka informed Her Excellency Al Kaabi that Solomon Islands stands ready to support the UAE in addressing labour gaps associated with major infrastructure projects, such as the development of the Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai.
Both Ministers welcomed the proposal to further explore this cooperation through a Memorandum of Understanding on Labour Mobility.
As a Small Island Developing State (SIDS), Minister Agovaka underscored Solomon Islandsโ vulnerability to natural disasters and the need to strengthen institutional capacity within the marine sector.
He noted that sea ambulances and rescue boats are critical for disaster response operations and welcomed any support the UAE may provide in this area.
Her Excellency Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi thanked Minister Agovaka for the constructive bilateral engagement.
Both Ministers agreed to direct officials from their respective ministries to advance discussions on pending draft Memoranda of Understanding and agreements, particularly those relating to the Air Services Agreement, cyber security, and CEPA.
The meeting concluded with both Ministers reiterating the importance of strong bilateral relations between Solomon Islands and the UAE.
Minister Agovaka reaffirmed the close friendship between the two countries and highlighted Solomon Islandsโ strong ties with the broader Gulf region.
Minister Agovaka was accompanied at the meeting by Solomon Islandsโ Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, His Excellency Mr. Cornelius Walegerea, and senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade.
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