Abu dhabi: The UAE and the Republic of Sierra Leone have issued a joint statement following the visit of Sierra Leone's President Julius Maada Bio to the UAE. During the visit, President Bio met with President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi to enhance the bilateral relations between the two nations.
According to Emirates News Agency, the meeting, which took place on the sidelines of the World Governments Summit 2026, saw the two leaders witness the signing of a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). This agreement aims to unlock new opportunities for trade, investment, and private-sector collaboration, further enhancing economic cooperation between the UAE and Sierra Leone.
The leaders highlighted the value of high-level engagement between their countries and praised the Summit's role as a global platform for dialogue on governance and development. They stressed the importance of expanding economic cooperation in areas such as artificial intelligence, energy, agriculture, infrastructure, logistics, and healthcare. Discussions also included the potential for enhanced defense and military cooperation.
The President of Sierra Leone welcomed the UAE's 'AI for Development' initiative, announced at the G20 Leaders' Summit in 2025, and both leaders acknowledged its potential to support Africa's development priorities. They also discussed significant regional and global issues, affirming their commitment to international law and the peaceful resolution of conflicts. The UAE acknowledged Sierra Leone's role in international forums like ECOWAS and emphasized multilateral cooperation to address common challenges.
Regarding Sudan, both leaders condemned the violence against civilians and called for accountability for violations of international humanitarian law. They stressed the need for an immediate humanitarian truce, a permanent ceasefire, and the formation of a civilian-led government in Sudan.
The leaders also addressed the dispute over the three UAE islands, advocating for a peaceful settlement through bilateral negotiations or referral to the International Court of Justice. This aligns with international law and the UN Charter principles.
Sierra Leone expressed appreciation for the UAE's support for Africa's sustainable development initiatives. Both nations welcomed the 2026 United Nations Water Conference, co-hosted by the UAE and Senegal, viewing it as a chance to advance Sustainable Development Goal 6. They also committed to enhancing cooperation in renewable energy, acknowledging efforts to improve grid reliability and sustainable energy solutions.
The leaders pledged to maintain close coordination and expressed confidence in elevating UAE-Sierra Leone relations to new levels of cooperation.
