United Arab Emirates (UAE): Introductory country profile

The UK has strong diplomatic and economic ties with the UAE. It has recently invested in military facilities and launched a strategic dialogue with the UAE. However, recent strains include a failed attempt to purchase the Telegraph media group by a UAE-backed consortium in 2023/24. Concerns have also been raised for some imprisoned British nationals. The UK is negotiating a trade agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council, which includes the UAE.

This briefing introduces the UAE’s politics, human rights, trade, and international relations. It also signposts further reading. Please visit the Library’s Middle East pages for further analysis on the region’s politics.

What does this paper cover?

This 20-page briefing provides an introduction to the UAE’s: 

• Leadership, politics, and political rights, including the election of the new President, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, in 2022
• Human rights, such as the rights of women and migrant workers
• Trade with the UK and current negotiations on a trade agreement 
• Economy, including key statistics on population, economic growth and leading industries 
• Foreign relations, including with the United States, Russia, China, neighbouring Gulf states and Iran

The paper signposts further reading on each of these topics on pages 18 to 20. This includes links to UK Parliament proceedings on the UAE and relevant Library briefing papers. 

Please visit the Library’s Middle East pages for further analysis on the region’s politics.