DUBAI, MAY 13: The UAE is looking to increase its role in Syria via investment. Of the many countries that embraced the new government in Damascus, the UAE has taken a more cautious approach.

On May 12, a large UAE delegation held meetings in Syria. This illustrates how Abu Dhabi is moving toward investment and important ties with Damascus.

The UAE’s more cautious approach contrasts with those of Turkey and Saudi Arabia, which have gone all-in on working with the Ahmed al-Sharaa government. The UAE, which tends to be concerned about political Islam, especially the Muslim Brotherhood, has been taking more of a public ‘wait and see’ approach.

This may be because Abu Dhabi had appeared to believe the Assad regime would integrate into the region after 2020, only to realize it was very weak when it fell in December 2024.

On May 12, Syrian state media noted that “Syria’s President, Ahmad al-Sharaa, received a high-ranking delegation from the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday at the People’s Palace in Damascus, headed by the Minister of Foreign Trade, Thani al-Zeyoudi.”

UAE’s Vice President and Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan greets Syria’s President Ahmed al-Sharaa, as UAE’s Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Special Affairs Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan looks on, at Al Shati Palace, in Abu Dhabi.
UAE’s Vice President and Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan greets Syria’s President Ahmed al-Sharaa, as UAE’s Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Special Affairs Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan looks on, at Al Shati Palace, in Abu Dhabi. (credit: Abdulla Al Bedwawi/UAE Presidential Court/Handout via REUTERS)
The report noted that “the delegation included Omar al-Darei, chairman of the General Authority for Islamic Affairs, Endowments, and Zakat, and State Minister Noura al-Kaabi, along with senior government officials and business leaders.”

Sharaa received the delegation on May 12. SANA noted that “earlier today, in the presence of President al-Sharaa, the second day of the first Syrian-Emirati Investment Forum was held at the People’s Palace. The event, organized by the Syrian Investment Authority, aims to explore prospects for investment and economic cooperation between the two brotherly countries.”

UAE expanding ties with Syria
Key talks discussed expanding economic and investment cooperation. There was a two-day Syrian-Emirati Investment Forum at the People’s Palace in Damascus. “The second day of the forum includes dialogue sessions focused on investment opportunities and economic partnership between Syria and the United Arab Emirates across multiple sectors.”

Syria’s Economy Minister Nidal al-Shaar praised the visit by the Emiratis, which illustrates confidence in Syria. “The two sides agreed on practical steps aimed at moving toward deeper development and investment cooperation,” he said.

A Syrian-Emirati Business Council is expected to expand cooperation in economic legislation, investment regulations, technology, digital transformation, governance, and digital payment systems, according to Syrian state media.

“The talks also addressed cooperation in microfinance programs supporting small businesses, vocational training initiatives, and the development of modern industrial zones,” SANA added.

UAE State Minister for Foreign Trade Thani bin Ahmed al-Zeyoudi said that Damascus held a special historical and cultural significance.

“Al-Zeyoudi said trade exchange between Syria and the UAE reached $1.4 billion in 2025, describing the figure as evidence of expanding economic opportunities between the two countries,” SANA noted.

The UAE trip has been greeted with warmth in Syria, as Damascus wants diverse investment. It doesn’t want to be completely beholden to only one country. As such, investment from Turkey, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Europe, and other countries is important.

The Gulf doesn’t always agree on many policies, but various countries in the region want Syria to succeed because it has historically been an important country.

The Syrian civil war was seen as a disaster by many countries, and some took an approach of basically re-embracing the Assad regime when it appeared to be returning to control Syria after 2018. Assad had been out in the cold after 2012. The regime was weak, however, and it collapsed in December 2024.

While some have been concerned about the role of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and Ahmed Sharaa in running Syria, worried about his past connections to extremists, many countries have given Damascus the benefit of the doubt.

As such, the UAE’s new moves represent a regional trend. Since the UAE also has positive ties with Israel, this could aid Israel-Syria talks. Recently, Syria’s foreign minister mentioned Israel-Syria relations, in terms of the fact that Syria appears open to discussions, but also wants Israel’s aggressive actions near the Golan to be reduced.