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December 9, 2025

UAE and Seychelles Presidents Discuss Stronger Development Partnership

UAE and Seychelles Reinforce Bilateral Ties Through High-Level Talks

The United Arab Emirates and the Republic of Seychelles took important steps toward strengthening their bilateral relationship as President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan met with Dr. Patrick Herminie, President of Seychelles, in Abu Dhabi. The meeting reflected the shared commitment of both nations to deepen cooperation across multiple sectors that support sustainable development and long-term prosperity.

President Herminie is visiting the UAE to attend the Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the final race of the 2025 Formula One World Championship. The visit provided an opportunity for both leaders to exchange views on strengthening ties and exploring new areas of partnership in a warm and constructive setting.

Warm Welcome and Mutual Congratulations

During the meeting, Sheikh Mohamed warmly welcomed President Herminie and congratulated him on assuming office as President of Seychelles. He wished him success in leading his country toward continued stability, progress, and economic growth. Sheikh Mohamed reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to building strong, long-lasting relations with Seychelles, based on mutual respect and shared development priorities.

President Herminie expressed his appreciation for the warm reception and, in turn, congratulated Sheikh Mohamed on the UAE’s 54th Eid Al Etihad. He praised the UAE’s achievements across economic, social, and developmental fields and conveyed his best wishes for the country’s continued prosperity.

The exchange of greetings reflected the strong diplomatic relations between the two countries and set a positive tone for discussions on future cooperation.

Expanding Cooperation Across Key Sectors

The talks focused on enhancing bilateral cooperation in several strategic areas. Both leaders discussed opportunities to strengthen collaboration in the economy and trade, with the aim of increasing investment flows and supporting private-sector partnerships between Emirati and Seychellois businesses.

Renewable energy and sustainability were highlighted as priority areas of cooperation. Given Seychelles’ focus on environmental protection and sustainable tourism, and the UAE’s global leadership in clean energy and sustainability initiatives, both sides recognised significant potential for joint projects that support climate goals while driving economic development.

Education was another key topic of discussion. The leaders explored ways to enhance cooperation in education and capacity building, including knowledge exchange, training programmes, and potential partnerships between educational institutions. Such initiatives are seen as vital for empowering youth and supporting long-term national development.

Government Modernisation and Development Support

The meeting also addressed cooperation in government modernisation and public-sector development. Sheikh Mohamed shared the UAE’s experience in building efficient, digital-first government systems, while President Herminie expressed interest in learning from these models to enhance government performance and service delivery in Seychelles.

President Herminie thanked Sheikh Mohamed for the UAE’s continued development support for Seychelles, noting the positive impact it has had on his country’s efforts to achieve sustainable development. He acknowledged the UAE’s role as a reliable partner that supports Seychelles in addressing development challenges and advancing national priorities.

The leaders agreed that sharing best practices in governance, innovation, and digital transformation can help both nations improve efficiency, resilience, and public services for their citizens.

Shared Vision for Sustainable Growth

Both presidents emphasised the importance of international cooperation in addressing global challenges such as climate change, economic uncertainty, and sustainable development. They agreed that partnerships between countries, especially those rooted in trust and shared goals, play a crucial role in promoting peace, stability, and long-term prosperity.

Sheikh Mohamed reiterated the UAE’s approach to foreign relations, which focuses on building constructive partnerships that create opportunities for growth and improve the well-being of people. He stressed that the UAE values its relationship with Seychelles and looks forward to expanding cooperation in ways that deliver tangible benefits for both nations.

President Herminie echoed these sentiments, stating that Seychelles is keen to strengthen its partnership with the UAE and explore new avenues of collaboration that support economic diversification, environmental sustainability, and social development.

Looking Ahead

The meeting concluded with both leaders reaffirming their commitment to further strengthening UAE–Seychelles relations. By focusing on trade, renewable energy, education, sustainability, and government modernisation, the two countries aim to build a forward-looking partnership that supports their shared development ambitions.

As the UAE continues to expand its global partnerships and Seychelles works toward sustainable growth, such high-level engagements highlight the importance of dialogue, cooperation, and mutual support in shaping a more prosperous future for both nations.