Brussels: A high-level United Arab Emirates (UAE) delegation led by Abdulla Balalaa, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Energy and Sustainability, has concluded an official visit to the Kingdom of Belgium to enhance bilateral cooperation in energy, water, and sustainability sectors.
According to Bahrain News Agency, this visit follows a recent official trip to Abu Dhabi by Maxime Pr©vot, Belgium's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Development Cooperation. During that visit, Pr©vot met with His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the UAE.
The UAE delegation engaged with senior Belgian officials, including Mathieu Bihet, Minister of Energy, and Ambassador Willem van de Voorde, Special Envoy for Climate and Environment. Discussions focused on the UAE's dedication to fostering strategic partnerships that bolster energy security, advance the clean energy transition, and support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Abdulla Balalaa's visit also included a tour of the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, where he was accompanied by Johan Klaps, Chairman of the port authority. A significant outcome of the visit was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Khalifa University and the Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO). This agreement aims to enhance joint research and innovation in sustainability.
The delegation's visit featured a high-level reception attended by senior representatives from both Belgian and Emirati government, business, and academic sectors, highlighting collaborative opportunities in energy, water, and sustainability.
The visit emphasized the UAE's position as a reliable international partner in promoting the global energy transition, paving the way for long-term institutional, scientific, and commercial cooperation with Belgium. The UAE delegation included key representatives from Masdar, Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC), and Khalifa University.