Dubai, April 12, 2025 – The Europe Today: In a vibrant and symbolic celebration of friendship, the United Arab Emirates and Ireland marked the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relations with a grand ceremony held at Jumeirah Emirates Towers Hotel on Thursday evening. The milestone event reflected five decades of mutual respect, growing partnership, and deepening cooperation across key sectors.
Hosted at the invitation of Alison Milton, Ambassador of Ireland to the UAE, the ceremony brought together an esteemed gathering of government officials, diplomats, business leaders, and cultural figures. In her keynote address, Ambassador Milton highlighted the significant strides made in education, investment, technology, and cultural collaboration, underscoring the vibrant and enduring partnership between the two nations.
Minister Niamh Smyth, Ireland’s Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail, also spoke at the event, emphasizing the UAE’s strategic role in Ireland’s foreign policy. She pointed to shared priorities such as digital transformation, innovation, and building knowledge-based economies as driving forces behind their future cooperation.
The UAE was represented by Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, alongside a distinguished lineup of senior ministers, including Sheikha Hessa bint Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Minister of Economy Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of State for Foreign Trade Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Government Development Ohood bint Khalfan Al Roumi, Minister of State for International Cooperation Reem bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy, and UAE Ambassador to Ireland Mohamed Al Shamsi.
Ambassadors from numerous countries also attended, reflecting global appreciation for the UAE-Ireland relationship.
The evening was brought to life with traditional Irish music and cultural performances, offering guests a window into Ireland’s rich artistic heritage and reinforcing the evening’s theme of cross-cultural dialogue and celebration.
Since the establishment of diplomatic ties in the 1970s, the UAE and Ireland have transformed their relationship into a model of international cooperation, particularly in higher education, renewable energy, trade, and sustainable development. The ceremony served as both a celebration of the past and a springboard for future initiatives, with particular emphasis on AI, green economy, and digital education.
The embassies of both countries plan to continue commemorating the golden jubilee throughout 2025 with a series of cultural, economic, and educational events, further cementing the strong and evolving bond between the two nations.
