C$21.1B in Deals: What Abu Dhabi-Canada Talks Mean for You

C$21.1 billion in potential deals, a new economic partnership agreement, and talks spanning food security, clean energy and artificial intelligence: that was the substance awaiting ordinary citizens when the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and the Prime Minister of Canada sat down together this week in Ottawa.

His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan met the Right Honourable Mark Carney at Parliament Hill, where the Prime Minister received him on arrival as part of an official visit to Canada. Before talks began, the Crown Prince signed the Distinguished Visitors Book, expressing pride in the close relations between the two countries and his hope that the visit would open new avenues of cooperation serving the shared interests of both nations and the aspirations of their peoples.

For the public, the practical weight of the discussions lay in the sectors the two sides chose to highlight. The talks covered trade and investment, artificial intelligence and advanced technology, defence, clean energy, mining, infrastructure and logistics, aviation and space, and food security, alongside other areas of mutual interest. Each touches daily life directly, whether through the reliability of supply chains, cleaner energy development, or industries that create jobs.

The two leaders explored ways to advance bilateral cooperation and expand economic and investment partnerships, drawing on their respective strengths and expertise. His Highness affirmed the UAE’s commitment to deepening relations with Canada and building long-term strategic partnerships that support both countries’ development priorities and enhance their economic competitiveness. He also stressed the value of stronger cooperation between Emirati and Canadian institutions and companies, and of turning existing progress into joint projects in priority sectors that create sustainable economic value for both peoples.

Concrete steps followed the conversation. The Crown Prince and the Prime Minister witnessed the signing of three agreements and memorandums of understanding, together with the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between the two countries. These instruments are designed to expand cooperation in shared priority sectors, including defence, renewable energy and diplomatic training, in support of both countries’ strategic interests and development goals.

Meanwhile, the most tangible figure for the public to weigh came from the sidelines of the visit. Emirati companies, it was announced, are negotiating trade and investment deals with Canadian counterparts worth up to C$21.1 billion, equivalent to US$15 billion. The negotiations fall under a C$70 billion, or US$50 billion, investment framework announced during Prime Minister Carney’s visit to the UAE in November 2025. They span four strategic sectors: mining, logistics, energy, and investment in sovereign wealth funds. Officials presented them as evidence that the framework is being implemented and that shared ambitions are being converted into projects with real economic and development impact, supporting sustainable growth and strengthening bilateral trade over the long term.

The exchange of courtesies carried its own meaning. His Highness conveyed the greetings of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, to Prime Minister Carney, along with wishes for his continued health and for further progress and prosperity for Canada and its people. The Prime Minister asked in turn that his greetings and similar wishes be conveyed to the UAE President.

Beyond economics, the two sides exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest, underlining the importance of dialogue and diplomatic solutions and of strengthened efforts to promote security, peace and stability regionally and internationally. For publics far beyond the two capitals, that emphasis on diplomatic resolution over conflict carries its own quiet significance.

A full account of the visit, including the official readout of the talks, is available from the Abu Dhabi Media Office at https://www.mediaoffice.abudhabi/en/crown-prince-news/crown-prince-of-abu-dhabi-and-prime-minister-of-canada-discuss-strengthening-strategic-partnerships-and-expanding-bilateral-cooperation/

The meeting was attended by a senior UAE delegation, including His Excellency Sheikh Khalifa bin Tahnoon bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Court; Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation; His Excellency Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and ADNOC Managing Director and Group CEO; His Excellency Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade; His Excellency Mohamed Hassan Alsuwaidi, Minister of Investment; His Excellency Mohamed bin Mubarak Fadhel Al Mazrouei, Minister of State for Defence Affairs; His Excellency Eng Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansoori, the UAE Foreign Minister’s Envoy to Canada and Chairman of Dubai Chambers; His Excellency Ghanem Sultan Alsuwaidi, Advisor of Security Affairs at the Crown Prince Court; His Excellency Saif Saeed Ghobash, Secretary-General of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council and Chairman of the Office of the Crown Prince; Her Excellency Maryam Eid AlMheiri, Chairperson of Abu Dhabi Media Office and Advisor of Strategic Relations at the Crown Prince Court; His Excellency Abdulrahman Ali Almur Al Neyadi, UAE Ambassador to Canada; and His Excellency Hamad Salem Al Ketbi, Director-General of Crown Prince’s Protocol at the Crown Prince Court. Several Canadian ministers and senior officials were also present, a sign of the weight both governments attach to a partnership whose benefits, if realised, are meant to reach beyond the negotiating table to the citizens both countries serve. Whether the C$21.1 billion in negotiations now translates into jobs, cleaner energy and more secure supply chains is the question that will matter most to those citizens in the months ahead.