Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment, concluded a high-level visit to China from July 7 to 10, 2025, focused on enhancing strategic cooperation in climate action, sustainable agriculture, and food security.

Highlighting the significance of the bilateral relationship, Al Dahak stated, “The historical bonds between the UAE and China have evolved beyond traditional relations into a comprehensive and interconnected strategic partnership.”

She also highlighted the UAE’s position as a key partner and gateway to Middle Eastern and African markets, noting the strong alignment between China’s agricultural innovations and the UAE’s Food Security Strategy 2051.

A key stop during the visit was the UAE-China Friendship Forest of Date Palm in Wenchang City, Hainan Province. Launched in 2019 by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the initiative aims to plant 100,000 date palms across China. Al Dahak was briefed on the project’s progress, with 25,000 trees already planted and the remaining 75,000 scheduled through 2028.

UAE Ambassador to China, Hussain bin Ibrahim Al Hammadi, described the visit as a milestone in the deepening strategic partnership. He highlighted joint efforts in climate action, agriculture, and research as a reflection of the countries’ shared leadership priorities and commitment to long-term collaboration.

Coordinated by the UAE Embassy in China, the delegation visited key institutions including Tsinghua University, the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, and the Beijing Tongzhou International Seed Industry Centre. Discussions focused on seed science, circular economy practices, and agricultural sustainability.

The itinerary also included stops at the Beijing Pinggu Agricultural Sci-Tech Innovation Park and the Coconut Research Institute, emphasizing dairy innovation and tropical agriculture. Environmental cooperation was a central theme, with visits to the Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Science and the Institute of Public & Environmental Affairs highlighting air quality, waste management, and climate data transparency.

A separate group, led by Dr. Mohammed Salman Al Hammadi, Assistant Undersecretary for the Food Diversity Sector, visited Inspur Company to explore how cloud computing and big data are used to enhance environmental monitoring and emissions control.

The delegation included senior officials from the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, along with representatives from leading UAE institutions such as ADAFSA, ICBA, Silal, Al Foah Dates Company, and UAE University, demonstrating a unified, cross-sector approach to international collaboration.

The visit concluded with a renewed commitment to joint initiatives, reinforcing the UAE-China partnership as a model for global cooperation in sustainability and food security.