The Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research and the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy, in cooperation with the Institute of Foreign Affairs – Ethiopia, have launched the second edition of the Haili Regional Dialogue, to be held in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa on 25 and 26 June 2026, under the theme "UAE–Africa Dialogue: Towards Shared Future Horizons".
The dialogue will bring together a distinguished group of officials, experts, policymakers, and representatives of think tanks and the public and private sectors from the United Arab Emirates and a number of African countries.
This edition comes within the framework of expanding strategic dialogue tracks between the UAE and the African continent, in light of the growing importance of the UAE–Africa partnership and the rapid economic and technological transformations the continent is witnessing, which open broad prospects for cooperation in development, investment, trade, connectivity, food security, energy, technology, and capacity building.
This edition of the Haili Regional Dialogue aims to provide an intellectual and dialogue platform bringing together policymakers, experts, and representatives of think tanks and the private sector to deepen discussion on partnership opportunities between the UAE and African countries, develop practical visions supporting long-term cooperation, and give African perspectives a central role in shaping the future of economic and developmental relations between both sides.
His Excellency Dr. Sultan Mohammed Al Nuaimi, Director General of the Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research, affirmed that launching the second edition of the Haili Regional Dialogue in Addis Ababa represents an important milestone in the strategic dialogue track that the Center is committed to strengthening with various vital regions of the world, noting that the choice of the African continent for this edition reflects its growing importance in development, economic, investment, and connectivity equations.
He added that the UAE–Africa Dialogue embodies the Center's commitment to developing strategic dialogue platforms capable of linking knowledge with policymaking, and translating strategic discussions into recommendations and cooperation tracks that can be scaled up, serving common interests and supporting development and prosperity horizons.
His Excellency Nikolay Mladenov, Director General of the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy, affirmed that holding the dialogue in Addis Ababa reflects the importance of building more deeply rooted bridges between the UAE and the African continent, noting that the issues discussed by the dialogue are linked to shared priorities in a world witnessing rapid transformations in economics, trade, technology, and sustainability.
He added that the partnership between the Academy and the Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research in organising this dialogue reflects a commitment to combining specialised knowledge, diplomatic expertise, and policymaking in a way that contributes to developing a deeper understanding of shared transformations and supports the preparation of practical approaches that enhance cooperation prospects between the UAE and African countries.
His Excellency Dr. Mohammed Ibrahim Al Dhaheri, Deputy Director General of the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy, affirmed that the cooperation in organising this edition stems from the importance of knowledge diplomacy in supporting constructive dialogue and enhancing the capacity to read regional and international transformations in depth, noting that the dialogue constitutes a qualitative space for exchanging expertise and developing practical approaches to cooperation in areas of shared priority.
Dr. Ibtisam Al Ketbi, Deputy Director General of the Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research, explained that the importance of the UAE–Africa Dialogue is not limited to its role as a platform for discussing cooperation opportunities, but extends to its role in producing in-depth strategic knowledge about the future of UAE–Africa relations, and anticipating the transformations the continent is witnessing and their implications for economic, investment, and development tracks.
She added that the dialogue provides an important intellectual space for understanding African priorities from within their local and regional contexts, enhancing the ability of research institutions and decision-makers to develop more precise and effective visions for future cooperation, and linking the knowledge, economic, and investment dimensions of UAE–Africa relations.
The dialogue programme includes specialised discussion sessions addressing economic transformations, new trade partnerships, the role of infrastructure and ports in enhancing connectivity, emerging technologies, and critical minerals, in addition to sustainable investment in agriculture and renewable energy.
The programme also includes a "Haili Youth Dialogue" session, which brings together young people from the UAE and Ethiopia to exchange views on youth issues and future cooperation tracks, strengthening the presence of the new generation in discussions about the future of the UAE–Africa partnership.
The cooperation with the Institute of Foreign Affairs – Ethiopia in organising this edition affirms the Haili Regional Dialogue's commitment to building knowledge and institutional partnerships with African entities, and enhancing the presence of local perspectives in discussions about the future of the UAE–Africa partnership.
The second edition of the Haili Regional Dialogue marks a new milestone in the track that began with the first regional edition, held in Rio de Janeiro in 2025, reflecting the Haili Regional Dialogue's orientation towards opening new spaces for strategic thinking between the UAE and vital regions of the world, and strengthening discussion on the issues shaping the future of regional and international partnerships.