Prime Minister Mark Carney has signed a new investment-protection agreement with the United Arab Emirates during a tightly controlled visit to Abu Dhabi, where media access has been unusually restricted. Carney announced the pact after meeting UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, with both leaders also launching formal negotiations toward a comprehensive economic partnership agreement — a full-scale Canada-UAE trade deal.
The prime minister met Industry Minister Sultan al-Jaber earlier in the day before touring the iconic Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Later, he is scheduled to sit down with major sovereign wealth funds and investment firms such as Mubadala, MGX, ADQ and ADIC, ahead of a dinner hosted by the UAE’s national security adviser.
The trip follows last month’s agreement between Canada and the UAE to expand cooperation in artificial intelligence and data-centre development. Janice Stein of the Munk School of Global Affairs says the UAE’s rapid rise as an AI powerhouse makes Carney’s early outreach strategically smart. With cheap energy powering massive data centres — and a close relationship with the U.S. enabling access to advanced American chip technology — the UAE is positioning itself as a central node in the emerging AI-driven global economy.
Carney praised the Grand Mosque as an “inspiring” global achievement, but his remarks were among the few delivered publicly. Emirati officials have barred media from bilateral meetings that are typically open to Canadian journalists, leading to concerns about transparency.
The visit also comes as the UAE faces renewed scrutiny over allegations it supports the Rapid Support Forces militia in Sudan’s brutal civil war. A recent UN report cites “credible” claims that the UAE has armed the RSF, though Emirati officials deny involvement. Carney’s official readout made no mention of Sudan but did reference discussions on Palestine.
Carney departs Friday for Johannesburg, where he will attend the G20 leaders’ summit in South Africa.
