UAE to celebrate 94th Saudi National Day

The UAE will join Saudi Arabia in celebrating the Kingdom’s 94th National Day on Monday, emphasising the strong ties between the leadership and people of both nations. 

Bilateral relations were enhanced by the efforts of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and King Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and expanded to a comprehensive partnership under the late Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

The current leadership of the two countries, led by President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia, continues to enhance relations.

The ties between the two countries have positively impacted comprehensive and sustainable development in both the UAE and Saudi Arabia, spanning various fields, including trade, economic cooperation, joint investments, coordination, and consultations.

Over the past decade, non-oil trade between the two nations saw significant growth, increasing by approximately 69 per cent to around AED 135 billion in 2023, compared to AED 79.9 billion in 2013, according to data from the UAE Ministry of Economy.

According to data from Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Statistics, the trade volume between the UAE and Saudi Arabia during the first half of 2024 reached $17.53 billion, a growth rate of 22.5 per cent compared to $14.31 billion during the same period in 2023.

In 2016, the two countries announced the establishment of the Saudi-Emirati Coordination Council, which aims to create a shared vision for enhancing and sustaining bilateral relations and advancing the integrated economic system between the two countries.

Tourism also supports the commercial and economic sectors of both countries and is considered one of the most promising sectors for investment and attracting more joint projects, contributing to the diversification of their economic and trade base between the two countries.

The cultural ties between the UAE and Saudi Arabia have been further enhanced through various channels, notably in education, where, in the past, Emirati students travelled to Saudi Arabia to join schools in Mecca, Al Ahsa, and Riyadh. Today, Emirati universities and institutes welcome many Saudi students.

The cultural relations between the two countries are represented at various levels, including numerous joint agreements and programmes, as well as the cultural overlap between related institutions, and intellectuals in both countries. The efforts emphasise that the relations between the two countries are deeply rooted in their shared history, cultural heritage, and social, geographical, and economic ties.

Saudi National Day comes amidst the Kingdom's comprehensive development renaissance, which has embarked on a new journey towards a prosperous future with the launch of "Saudi Vision 2030," one of the world's largest national transformation programmes.