UAE Strengthens Vietnam Partnership at Autumn Economic Forum

Minister of State Saeed Al Hajeri represented the UAE leadership at the Autumn Economic Forum in Ho Chi Minh City, advancing bilateral cooperation across technology, energy and investment.

The Autumn Economic Forum 2026, held in Ho Chi Minh City under the theme ‘Collaboration in a New Era’, brought together more than 1,500 participants to explore the frontiers of global economic cooperation. On behalf of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Saeed bin Mubarak Al Hajeri, Minister of State, led the UAE delegation at the October 28 gathering, signalling the nation’s commitment to deepening ties with Vietnam across multiple sectors.

The forum examined pressing questions of our moment: artificial intelligence, digital transformation, green growth, sustainable manufacturing, finance and the restructuring of global supply chains. Delegates also discussed mechanisms to attract foreign investment, facilitate technology transfer, and advance Ho Chi Minh City’s development as an international financial centre. Al Hajeri engaged in bilateral meetings with senior Vietnamese officials, including the Deputy Prime Minister and the Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, alongside the Chief Executive of the Vietnam Oil and Gas Group. These conversations reflected the UAE’s strategic focus on expanding economic, trade and investment cooperation with Vietnam, while exploring new partnership opportunities in technology, energy and industry.

During a high-level plenary session entitled ‘The Convergence of New Global Growth Engines’, attended by Prime Minister Le Minh Hung and senior officials from international organisations, Omran Sharaf, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Advanced Science and Technology, delivered the UAE’s statement. The session examined how innovation and technology generate new engines of growth and the vital role of international cooperation in navigating global transformations. Sharaf further participated in a panel discussion on ‘Collaboration Frameworks in a New Era’, exploring how countries, cities, international organisations and the private sector might strengthen cooperation whilst harnessing emerging opportunities in technology, finance and investment. The discussion addressed practical approaches to enhancing connectivity across these domains, with the aim of translating international cooperation into tangible investment opportunities.

As we reported earlier this month when Minister Al Hajeri represented the UAE President at the Gas Exporting Countries Forum in Moscow, and as recent high-level dialogues with Singapore demonstrated, the UAE continues to articulate its strategic vision across energy, artificial intelligence and advanced technology on the world stage.

What it means for Abu Dhabi

These diplomatic and economic engagements reflect Abu Dhabi’s broader strategy of fostering multilateral partnerships that advance shared prosperity. By engaging with Vietnam, a nation of significant strategic importance in Southeast Asia, the UAE strengthens its position within global economic networks and opens new channels for investment and technological collaboration. The forum’s focus on artificial intelligence, green growth and sustainable manufacturing aligns precisely with Abu Dhabi’s own economic diversification priorities and commitment to technological innovation.

The bilateral meetings and high-level participation demonstrate the UAE’s influence in shaping international cooperation frameworks. Vietnam’s position as a hub for investment and innovation in the region presents opportunities for Emirati enterprises and investors, whilst the discussions on financial integration and city-to-city partnerships reinforce Abu Dhabi’s role as a bridge between East and West in global economic affairs.

Source: WAM