UAE: 13th Human Rights Dialogue with the EU takes place in Abu Dhabi
The European Union and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) held the 13th Human Rights Dialogue in Abu Dhabi on 17 December 2025 in an open and constructive atmosphere.
The EU and the UAE reviewed respectively the latest developments on human rights, acknowledging achievements, identifying areas for enhanced cooperation in line with international human rights law, and agreeing to continue sharing of experiences to address common challenges.
The meeting addressed a wide range of topics, notably freedom of expression and association, rule of law and death penalty, human rights in the digital sphere, labour rights, women's rights and trafficking in persons.
The EU acknowledged in particular important reforms the UAE have undertaken in the area of social and economic rights, notably women and youth empowerment, economic and political inclusion, and sustained efforts to promote interfaith dialogue and coexistence. The EU expressed its principled opposition to the death penalty in all cases and under all circumstances, and reiterated its concerns regarding the three executions that took place in the UAE end of February 2025. The EU encouraged the UAE to further align the national legislation with international law, notably in the area of civil and political rights, as well as labour rights, that will reinforce the enabling environment for the EU-UAE Strategic Partnership and Free Trade Agreement.
The two sides also discussed cooperation in multilateral fora and exchanged on the evolving developments in the region, including in Sudan and Gaza, reconfirming determination to join forces to preserve the international rules-based order and to promote regional peace and stability.
As a follow up to the Dialogue, the EU and the UAE agreed to focus their operational cooperation on digital rights, including digital justice, labour rights, countering trafficking of human beings, and promoting Women, Peace and Security agenda.
The next edition of EU-UAE Human Rights Dialogue will take place in Brussels within 2026.