| Mission1: | Embassy of the United Arab Emirates, London |
| Mission2: | Embassy of the United Kingdom, Abu Dhabi |
The United Arab Emirates has an embassy in London while the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland maintains an embassy in Abu Dhabi and is unique in having another Embassy in Dubai, albeit with His Majesty's Consul-General to Dubai and the Northern Emirates, as opposed to a separate British Ambassador. The UAE-UK relations have been described as a "special relationship".[1] [2] [3]
Over 1.4 million visitors from the UK visit the United Arab Emirates each year, while a large number of British citizens stop and transit through Dubai airport to reach connecting destinations, including the Indian Subcontinent.[4] The current UK Ambassador to the UAE is Edward Hobart.[5]
Before the country's formation in 1971, the emirates which currently constitute the UAE were once all part of the Trucial States and independent sheikhdoms allied with the United Kingdom, assigned as British protectorates by the General Maritime Treaty of 1820. The main purpose of this relationship was to ensure the passage to British India, by excluding the pirates who then raided the country's coast on the Persian Gulf.
An agreement between the British government officials and the ruler of Sharjah in 1932 led to the construction of a fortified airfield known as Al Mahatta Fort, to allow a stop on the Imperial Airways route to Brisbane, Australia. Royal Air Force aircraft were subsequently allowed to refuel at Sharjah in World War II. Al Mahatta Museum is a reminder of the BOAC (formerly Imperial Airways) and other flights that used to frequent the UAE's first airport.[6] Britain also played a significant role in the formation of the United Arab Emirates, creating a deep and historic relationship between the two nations. It was Britain's defence of the Sheikhs of Abu Dhabi in the 1940s and 50s against encroachments and claims on its lands, by the then King of Saudi Arabia, that safeguarded the territorial integrity of what would become the United Arab Emirates. In 1952, a Saudi force invaded the area of what is now Al Ain (Buraimi - Omani side) and it was the British, in conjunction with the Sheikhs of Abu Dhabi and the Sultan of Oman, who forcibly evicted in them in a conflict known as the Buraimi Dispute.[7] The tensions related to the Buraimi Dispute led to the formation, in 1951, of the Trucial Oman Scouts (formerly the Trucial Oman Levies): a British officered, locally raised force who ensured safety in the Emirates until it was disbanded in December 1971 with the formation of the United Arab Emirates. The Trucial Oman Scouts were critical in the actual development of the UAE's independent military, as the remnants of the Scouts would form the nucleus of what would eventually become the UAE Armed Forces.[8]
In February 2023, Premier League concluded a four-year investigation, alleging that Manchester City F.C. breached over 100 of its regulations on various occasions between 2009–18, since being acquired by Abu Dhabi’s ruling family. The violations included providing misleading financial information. City was also alleged of an additional 30 breaches related to its failure not comply with the Premier League investigation since December 2018.[9] [10] [11] In September 2023, The Athletic reported that the UK embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) in London discussed these charges against Manchester City. However, the British government refused to disclose the correspondence, saying that it would jeopardize the British bilateral ties with the UAE.[12] Political leaders in Manchester were also condemned for not using their positions to criticize the human rights in the UAE, and instead enabling its sportswashing agenda. Following City’s takeover by Abu Dhabi in 2008, the UK government increased the Emirates’ investment in Manchester. In 2013, the “Project Falcon”, a team of 10 officials, was set up to give the UAE privileged access to the British political elites, the NHS, globally renowned institutions and prime land deals. The following year, the Manchester City Council signed a 10-year joint partnership with the Abu Dhabi United Group (ADUG) to build 6,000 new homes.[13] [14]
In October 2023, the UK government was facing pressure to investigate Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan's involvement with Russians. Sheikh Mansour was allegedly helping wealthy Russians move their assets to the UAE and evade international sanctions. If the allegations against Sheikh Mansour were correct, per Premier League rules his disqualification was possible as the Manchester City owner.[15] During an April 2024 meeting hosted on the Sudan war by the UN Security Council at the UK’s plea, Sudan’s representative accused the UAE of supporting the Rapid Support Forces.[16] The accusations were denied by the Emirates, which later cancelled meetings with Lord Mayor Michael Mainelli and other British ministers that were scheduled to discuss green finance. Meanwhile, an invitation to Andrew Griffith to visit the UAE for discussion over space cooperation was also cancelled. The diplomatic issues started after the UK started putting pressure on the Emirates to stop supporting the RSF.[17] At least four ministerial meetings were cancelled in total. Sir Brandon Lewis said it was a cause for serious concern, and that the relations with the Emirates were damaged after The Telegraph’s UAE-backed takeover deal was blocked. He said the MPs who opposed the deal attempted to carefully emphasize that “the UK valued the partnership with the United Arab Emirates and would still be keen for inward investment”, and certainly “that is not how it is perceived by the Emiratis”. Sir Brandon also emphasized the need to improve relations with the UAE, either as a Gulf ally or as a source of inward investment.[18]
In May 2024, Oliver Dowden visited the UAE in an attempt to reassure the UAE of the country's diplomatic significance to the UK. Ahead of the 2024 general elections, the bilateral relations slowed after the UK government blocked the UAE-backed bid to acquire The Telegraph, and alleged the Emirates of supporting Sudan’s RSF.[19]
In June 2024, sources claimed that the Foreign Office officials attempted to discourage condemnation of the UAE over its role in supplying arms to the RSF militia, by putting pressure on African diplomats to not criticize the Emirates. As per a senior legal counsel at the Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights, Yonah Diamond, the UK was persuading some states during the informal talks in Ethiopia to not criticize the UAE. Leader of the Darfur Diaspora Association, Abdallah Idriss Abugarda also accused the FCDO of prioritizing its relationship with the UAE, without caring about its moral obligation. The accusations were strongly denied by the FCDO with a spokesperson telling the Guardian: “These accusations are categorically untrue. The UK is using its diplomatic influence to support efforts for a durable peace.”[20]
In November 2010, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II made an historic visit to His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, her first since 1979, when she also visited Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. During the 1979 visit she opened a number of ports and buildings including the Dubai World Trade Center, Dubai Municipality and Port Rashid. On her second visit in 2010, The Queen spent 2 days touring the Zayed Museum and visiting dignitaries of the Ruling Family, whilst her Secretary of State for Foreign & Commonwealth Affairs (The Rt. Hon. William Hague) signed the Abu Dhabi Declaration 2010 with His Highness Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs, reaffirming the 1971 friendship treaty between the two nations. His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh also signed a Memorandum of Understanding in his role as Chancellor of Cambridge University with His Highness Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Education. In 2013, President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan visited the UK for the first time and was the second visit by a UAE president since Sheikh Zayeds visit in 1989.[21]
Over 130,000 British nationals live in the UAE, majority of them residing in Dubai, with citizens engaged in business across the UAE.[22] Beside this each country share consistently high rates of mutual trade and investment. The UAE is the UK’s largest trading partner in the region and its 19th largest trading partner globally. In 2024, bilateral trade was more than £24 billion.[23] In September 2021, United Arab Emirates pledged to invest £10bn (US $12.83 bn) at UK for the field of clean energy, technology and infrastructure.[24]
In 2022, the United Kingdom and the Gulf Cooperation Council, of which the United Arab Emirates is a member, opened up negotiations for the Gulf Cooperation Council–United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement one of the first post-Brexit trade agreements negotiated by the UK.[25] [26]
Both Britain and the Emirates have relations in terms of cooperation in the areas of law enforcement, defence, training and military technology. This was reflected recently in the signing of an agreement to cooperate in the development of the Emirates' nuclear energy plants in the future.
In November 2018, the United Kingdom foreign minister Jeremy Hunt threatened the UAE with "serious diplomatic consequences" after it sentenced a British academic Matthew Hedges to life in prison for allegedly spying for the UK government.[27] Princess Haya bin Hussein, a Jordanian princess was also married to Sheikh Mohammed, the Emir of Dubai. She fled with their two children to the United Kingdom in 2019 and their marriage was ended. A British Court told Sheikh Mohammed to pay funds for the Princess.[28] One of Sheikh Mohammed's daughters Sheikha Shamsa, was taken back to the UAE and the British local police did not want to investigate this matter anymore.[29]
In 2022, the heads of both countries passed away. In May, Sheikh Khalifa died at the age of 73. In September, Queen Elizabeth II died at the age of 96. The UAE announced that there would be a three-days mourning period.[30] Following the Labour Party's victory in the 2024 general election, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy's first call was to his Emirati counterpart, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, underlining the bilateral relationship's importance. Shortly after being elected into government, Prime Minister Keir Starmer had a call with President Sheikh Mohamed.[31] In a post-election interview with the British ambassador said energy and growth were two particularly relevant areas in the UK's relationship with the UAE.[32]
Abu Dhabi and London enjoy strong social and cultural ties, which stretch back to the country's founding in 1971. There are strong educational ties between the UK and UAE. Lots of British accredited universities have been in the UAE including Heriot-Watt University Dubai, University of Birmingham Dubai, Middlesex University Dubai, Herriot-Watt University, Strathclyde University, London Business School and British University. Along with Bolton University and Stirling University campuses in Ras Al-Khaimah. The British Council collaborates with a variety of organizations across the Emirates. Their Cultural Excellence Fellowship program with Abu Dhabi Music & Arts brings together Emirati talent across creatives and cultural industries with leaders from the UK.[33]
Well-known Britons include Edward Henderson, who wrote a book "Arabian Destiny" on his career in the region after World War Two developing oil concessions and learning about local politics both within and beyond his role in the Foreign & Commonwealth Office. Uniquely on his retirement he was invited to assist in establishing the national archives in Abu Dhabi by His Highness Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, founding President of the UAE from 1971 and Ruler of Abu Dhabi prior to then. Other well-known authors with experience of the Emirates include Shirley Kay "Mother Without a Mask", Jeremy Williams OBE "Don't They Know It's Friday?", and Mary Gene Saudelli “The Balancing Act: International Higher Education in the 21st Century” which chronicles higher education for Emirati women.[34]
An 18th century masterpiece painting, titled ‘Mary Magdalene in Ecstasy’, was gifted to the UAE by the United Kingdom as a token of goodwill and a symbol of enduring friendship between both countries in July 2019. The painting was painted by Ary Scheffer in 1856 and is from the Lubin Family Private Collection. The painting was presented by the British Ambassador to the UAE Patrick Moody to Dr Hamed bin Mohamed Al Suwaidi, the chairman of Abu Dhabi Arts Society. Dr. Al Suwaidi suggested that the painting may be showcased at the Louvre Abu Dhabi.[35]