MONTEVIDEO/ASUNCIÓN/BUENOS AIRES, January 16, 2026 — In a diplomatic push to deepen relations across Latin America, Reem Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation, embarked on a strategic tour of MERCOSUR member states, including Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay. The mission underscores the UAE’s enduring commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and boosting multilateral cooperation in key sectors that promote sustainable growth and shared prosperity.
During her visit, Minister Al Hashimy held bilateral meetings with President Yamandú Orsi of Uruguay and President Santiago Peña of Paraguay. In these meetings, she conveyed personal greetings from the UAE leadership, including President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President and Prime Minister His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and Vice President and Deputy Prime Minister His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, along with their best wishes for continued development within the host nations.
Al Hashimy’s engagements featured high-level dialogues with numerous government leaders, such as Mario Lubetkin, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uruguay; Pablo Quirno, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Argentina; Luis Caputo, Minister of Economy of Argentina; and Javier Giménez, Minister of Industry and Commerce of Paraguay. A key theme throughout her discussions was the mutual ambition to conclude the UAE-MERCOSUR Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), a priority following the recent successful conclusion of the MERCOSUR-European Union trade agreement.
In Uruguay and Argentina, Al Hashimy also engaged in talks with decision-makers in economic and infrastructure development, including Carolina Cosse, Vice President of Uruguay; Alfredo Fratti, Minister of Livestock, Agriculture, and Fisheries of Uruguay; and Martín Menem, President of the Chamber of Deputies of Argentina. A diverse set of topics was addressed, ranging from technology cooperation, infrastructure investment, and energy development to enhanced partnerships in mining and agribusiness.
A notable highlight of her stay in Buenos Aires was a cultural and diplomatic gesture with Jorge Macri, Chief of Government of the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, at the renowned Teatro Colón, where Al Hashimy was officially named a Guest of Honour of the city. This act recognized not only the ties between governments but also the essential role of cultural diplomacy in international relations.
Throughout her tour, Al Hashimy participated in high-level business gatherings involving leading Argentine and Paraguayan executives, discussing practical pathways to bolster private-sector engagement and encourage streamlined economic cooperation across the public and private sectors.
Demonstrating the UAE’s reverence for the diverse cultural legacy of Latin America, Minister Al Hashimy visited the Museo del Gaucho y la Moneda in Montevideo, further emphasizing the UAE’s interest in deepening people-to-people connections and promoting cultural exchange.
Accompanying Minister Al Hashimy were Saeed Abdullah Al Qamzi, UAE Ambassador to the Argentine Republic and Non-Resident Ambassador to Uruguay, and Alsaghira Al Ahbabi, UAE Ambassador to Paraguay, alongside an official UAE government delegation.
The successful conclusion of the Latin American tour marks an important momentum in the UAE’s broader strategy to diversify international cooperation and build enduring partnerships in the Global South.
Team V.DIR-EM-UAE
