UAE leaders hail 'enduring bonds of friendship' on Bahrain's National Day

UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has led messages congratulating Bahraini King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa on the country's national day, which falls on December 16.

In a post on social media platform X, His Highness highlighted the "enduring bonds of friendship" between the two nations.

The UAE President said he looked forward to "strengthening ties to promote ongoing progress and prosperity for our nations, our peoples, and the region".

Congratulations to my brother King Hamad bin Isa and the people of Bahrain on their country’s National Day. On this special occasion, we celebrate the enduring bonds of friendship between the UAE and Bahrain and look forward to strengthening our ties to promote ongoing progress…

— محمد بن زايد (@MohamedBinZayed) December 16, 2025

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, also shared messages congratulating the Bahraini leader, wishing him and his people "security, safety, and prosperity".

نبارك لأخي الملك حمد بن عيسى آل خليفة، ولشعب مملكة البحرين الشقيق، احتفالهم بالعيد الوطني المجيد.. نسأل الله أن يديم على البحرين الأمن والأمان والرخاء، وأن يكتب لشعبها المزيد من التقدم والازدهار.

وتبقى البحرين قلب وعين .. ومحبة دائمة ومصير مشترك بإذن الله .. pic.twitter.com/OfdSZEqig3

— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) December 16, 2025

In celebration of Bahrain's national day, the UAE is hosting a series of special events and shows, reflecting the leadership’s and people’s deep-rooted friendship. 

The two nations have had a long-standing history, with major milestone dating back to 2000 with the establishment of the UAE–Bahrain Joint Higher Committee.

The committee has since driven cooperation across political, military, economic, investment and cultural sectors, supporting joint Gulf action.

Economic and trade relations also continue to record steady growth, with the UAE’s non-oil foreign trade with Bahrain reaching AED24.5 billion in the first nine months of this year, a 2 per cent growth compared to the same period in 2024, and a 35.4 per cent increase from 2023. Additionally, total non-oil trade in 2024 exceeded AED34.1 billion.

The UAE is also considered Bahrain's second-largest global trading partner, accounting for 10.4 per cent of its total trade last year.

The two countries have signed numerous economic agreements and memoranda of understanding, including cooperation in peaceful space exploration, agriculture and marine resources, and renewable energy projects between Bahrain’s Supreme Council for Environment and Masdar.

Cultural ties have also been strengthened through agreements aimed at preserving shared heritage, including UAE-backed restoration projects in Bahrain.