Prime Minister Mark Carney signed a new investment-protection deal with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Thursday during a visit to Abu Dhabi. He also agreed with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to begin talks toward a full trade deal.
Carney met with several top UAE officials and toured the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque before meeting leaders from major investment companies. The trip comes a month after Canada and the UAE signed an agreement to work together on artificial intelligence and data centres.
Experts say the UAE is becoming a major player in AI and could help Canada through new investment and technology. Janice Stein from the University of Toronto said the visit was a smart move because the UAE sees Carney as a trusted global figure.
However, the visit has had limited media access. This comes as the UAE faces serious accusations that it is supporting a militia in Sudan’s civil war, which has been linked to ethnic violence. The UAE denies these claims, though a UN report says there are “credible” allegations.
Carney’s meeting summary did not mention Sudan, but it did mention Palestine. Stein said the UAE has played a role in the Sudan conflict but has also helped push for a ceasefire.
Carney will travel to Johannesburg, South Africa, on Friday for the G20 leaders’ summit.
