Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Visits Ecuador, Announces Landmark Economic and Security Agreements
Quito, Ecuador, 2 March 2026 – In a significant step toward deepening ties between the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Ecuador, H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, arrived at the Carondelet Palace in Quito for an official visit. The welcoming ceremony included the playing of the national anthems of both nations and a formal salute by the guard of honour.
During their meeting, H.H. Sheikh Khaled conveyed the greetings of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to President Daniel Noboa, expressing “best wishes for the President’s good health and wellbeing, as well as for the continued success and development of the Republic of Ecuador and its people.” President Noboa, in turn, welcomed the Crown Prince and requested him to pass on his “sincere greetings to the President of the UAE, along with his best wishes for the enduring progress and prosperity of the UAE and its people.”
Both leaders explored avenues to deepen UAE-Ecuador partnership and to broaden cooperation in priority sectors such as food security and sustainable agriculture, clean and renewable energy, and advanced technology. The dialogue also focused on promoting mutual investments that support shared interests and drive economic diversification.
A highlight of the visit was the formal announcement of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between the two nations. This agreement aims to reduce tariffs, remove barriers to bilateral trade, and strengthen cooperation across key sectors, including clean energy, advanced technology, mining, logistics, and agriculture.
The event also featured the unveiling of a cooperation agreement between the UAE Ministry of Investment and Ecuador’s Ministry of Production, Foreign Trade, Investments and Fisheries, designed to explore further investment opportunities in sectors of shared interest.
In the sphere of security, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the EDGE Group and Ecuador’s Ministry of National Defence. This collaboration—valued at US$250 million—will advance surveillance systems and boost border protection capabilities.
Further expanding bilateral cooperation, the UAE Accountability Authority and Ecuador’s Council for Citizen Participation and Social Control announced another memorandum of understanding. This agreement focuses on bolstering anti-corruption efforts and fostering integrity, governance, and transparency across public sector operations.
Development projects and cooperation agreements with investments exceeding US$3 billion are currently under discussion, highlighting the depth of bilateral cooperation and opening new horizons for economic partnership.
The UAE remains a key trading partner for Ecuador in the Arab region and Africa, with non-oil trade between the two countries reaching approximately US$373.6 million in 2025, marking notable growth from previous years.
As the fourth Latin American country to sign a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with the UAE—after Costa Rica (April 2025), Chile (November 2025), and **Colombia (April 2024)**—Ecuador is paving the way for enhanced collaboration between the two regions. Meanwhile, ongoing CEPA negotiations with Peru underscore the UAE’s commitment to expanding its trade partnership network in South America and advancing trade diversification.
Team V.4-EM-UAE
