By Benadeta Mwaura - Reporter
Kenya, 6 January 2026 - Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates have reaffirmed their deepening strategic partnership, signalling a widening cooperation agenda that now spans climate diplomacy, water security, regional peace efforts and humanitarian intervention, at a time when the Horn of Africa faces overlapping crises of conflict, climate stress and geopolitical competition.
The renewed commitment followed high-level talks held on Tuesday, during the working visit of Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of State, according to a joint ministerial statement released by Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Climate Diplomacy: From COP28 to COP32
A central pillar of the discussions was climate cooperation, with both countries agreeing to build on the outcomes of COP28 and the UAE Consensus, a landmark agreement endorsed by 198 parties that set a global framework for accelerating climate action.
Ethiopia, which is preparing to host COP32, received strong backing from the UAE, which underscored its readiness to work closely with Addis Ababa to ensure what the statement described as “an ambitious climate outcome.”
For Ethiopia, hosting COP32 is both a diplomatic milestone and a strategic opportunity to position Africa’s climate priorities, including climate finance, adaptation funding and loss-and-damage mechanisms, at the centre of global negotiations.
The UAE’s involvement is significant. Abu Dhabi emerged as a key climate broker during COP28, balancing oil-producer interests with climate commitments, and is now seeking to extend that influence through partnerships with climate-vulnerable regions such as the Horn of Africa.
Spotlight on 2026 UN Water Conference
Water security also featured prominently, with both sides highlighting the 2026 UN Water Conference, to be co-hosted by the UAE and Senegal and convened in the UAE later that year.
The conference aims to accelerate implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 6 Clean Water and Sanitation, an urgent issue for Africa, where climate change, population growth and infrastructure gaps continue to strain water systems.
The statement acknowledged the UAE’s investments in water technology and innovation, positioning Ethiopia as a potential partner in scaling sustainable water solutions across East Africa.
For Ethiopia, which relies heavily on climate-sensitive water systems, such cooperation aligns closely with its development and resilience strategies.
Sudan Crisis: A Shared Diplomatic and Humanitarian Focus
Beyond development and climate, the talks were heavily shaped by the ongoing civil war in Sudan, now one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.
Both Ethiopia and the UAE recalled their joint role, alongside IGAD and the African Union, in convening the High-Level Humanitarian Conference for the People of Sudan during the AU Summit in February 2025.
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That conference mobilised regional and international support but failed to halt the conflict.
In the statement, both countries condemned attacks against civilians and called on Sudan’s warring parties to ensure the protection of civilians and humanitarian workers.
Notably, the two sides stressed that primary responsibility for ending the war lies with the belligerents themselves, reflecting growing regional frustration over stalled peace efforts.
They also reaffirmed support for:
- An immediate humanitarian truce
- Unhindered humanitarian access
- A transition towards an inclusive, transparent, civilian-led government
Ethiopia’s diplomatic role is particularly sensitive given its proximity to Sudan, refugee inflows, and its position within IGAD, while the UAE has increasingly positioned itself as a regional powerbroker with humanitarian and security interests in the Red Sea corridor.
Regional Stability and Strategic Alignment
The talks reaffirmed the longstanding strategic partnership between Ethiopia and the UAE, grounded in mutual respect, security cooperation and economic interests.
Both sides underscored their shared commitment to:
- Promoting regional stability
- Addressing cross-border security threats
- Advancing lasting peace in the Horn of Africa and beyond
This alignment comes as the Red Sea–Horn of Africa region faces heightened geopolitical competition involving Gulf states, Western powers and emerging actors, all seeking influence over trade routes, ports, energy corridors and security arrangements.
This joint statement goes beyond routine diplomacy. It reflects:
Ethiopia’s growing role as a continental diplomatic hub, the UAE’s expanding footprint in African climate, humanitarian and security diplomacy, and, a convergence of interests around climate leadership, water security and conflict mediation
As Ethiopia prepares for COP32 and the UAE gears up for the UN Water Conference, their partnership is likely to shape how African priorities are framed on the global stage, particularly on climate finance, adaptation, and humanitarian responses in fragile regions.
