UAE and UK officials have held the first London meeting of their strategic dialogue, committing to elevate it as a platform for deeper co-operation. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, led the talks alongside his British counterpart James Cleverly. The two sides said the <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/business/2021/09/15/uae-uk-relations-enter-new-chapter-with-expanded-sovereign-investment-partnership/" target="_blank">UAE-UK strategic dialogue</a> would advance international peace, security, and growth. “The enduring ties between the UAE and UK – further elevated by the Partnership for the Future – provide a model platform of international co-operation to address the pressing challenges of our time and pursue opportunities that promise to bolster prosperity for our peoples across diverse areas of co-operation, including energy, climate change mitigation, science and technology, security, and people-to-people ties,” said Sheikh Abdullah. Sheikh Abdullah also held talks with Grant Shapps, the UK's <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/opinion/uk/2023/05/16/britain-losing-growth-opportunities-as-it-plays-catch-up-in-nuclear-power/" target="_blank">Energy</a> Security and Net Zero Secretary, to review the co-operation between the two countries across industrial, trade, investment and energy sectors. The discussion addressed climate change and international climate action to protect the planet’s future, highlighting the UAE’s preparations to host the Cop28. The UAE and UK sides agreed climate action stand out as a common priority for both economic growth and multilateral co-operation. A senior Conservative MP welcomed the high level UAE-UK meetings as a recognition of changing global dynamics. Chairman of the defence select committee Tobias Ellwood wrote in <i>The Daily Telegraph: </i>“Foreign ministers of both countries are meeting to review the progress of the <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/Business/UK/2021/09/16/uae-backed-strategic-investment-partnership-to-invest-10bn-in-uk/" target="_blank">UAE-UK Sovereign Investment Partnership (SIP)</a> which is investing millions in key innovation-led sectors: technology, infrastructure, health care and life sciences, and clean and renewable energy. “The UK’s recent integrated review of diplomatic and defence priorities commits our nation to 'working with all who support an open and stable international order and the protection of global public goods'. “With the superpowers distracted, the UAE proves itself to be a loyal UK ally and a worthy member of the UN Security Council in 2023, one which pushes for constructive engagement without compromising its core values in a troubled region.” Mr Ellwood said that with no clear lead from global superpowers failing to show leadership, other countries must step up to ensure their interests. He drew a line from this to new forms of international co-operation. He said constructive engagement included seeking to lower regional tensions and expanding ties with long-standing allies. “Step forward the United Arab Emirates,” he wrote. “Since it signed the Abraham Accords in 2020, which began the process of normalising relations with Israel, the UAE has been engaged in mature 21st century politics – discreetly shaping peace and stability in the region by working for consensus and good neighbourliness.” <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/arts-culture/art/2022/10/25/anwar-gargash-emirati-values-can-help-forge-new-perspectives-about-arab-culture/">Dr Anwar Gargash</a>, diplomatic adviser to the President, tweeted that the strategic dialogue brought together the UAE and the UK in fields such as science, technology and renewable energy to strengthen the partnerships. The UAE-UK SIP is the central investment platform under the 2021<i> Partnership for the Future</i> bilateral framework to include joint investments in four areas: life sciences, energy transition, technology and infrastructure.