Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa has received an official invitation from UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to attend the 2026 United Nations Water Conference in Abu Dhabi, as Damascus and the UAE continue efforts to expand bilateral cooperation.
The invitation was delivered by UAE Ambassador to Syria Hamad Rashid bin Alwan al-Habsi during a meeting in Damascus with Mohammad Taha al-Ahmad, adviser for Arab affairs at Syria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates.
According to the Syrian Arab News Agency, the two sides discussed strengthening bilateral cooperation, improving diplomatic coordination and advancing shared interests across different sectors.
The UN Water Conference is scheduled to take place in Abu Dhabi from December 8 to 10. Syrian and Emirati officials had already held discussions earlier this week on preparations for Syria’s participation in the conference, indicating growing diplomatic engagement between the two countries.
The invitation comes amid a broader expansion of relations between Damascus and Abu Dhabi following Syria’s political transition.
Cooperation between the two countries has increasingly covered diplomatic, economic, investment, development and security-related areas, while senior officials have maintained regular contacts.
President al-Sharaa travelled to Abu Dhabi in September, where he met Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed for talks focused on strengthening economic and development cooperation.
The two leaders also discussed regional and international developments and emphasized continued coordination on regional security and stability.
The latest engagement also comes as Syria continues a wider process of rebuilding its regional and international relationships.
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Damascus has recently intensified contacts with Gulf governments, European officials and other international partners as it seeks investment, economic recovery and greater diplomatic integration.
For the UAE, continued engagement with Syria provides another channel for supporting regional stability while developing economic and political relations with the new government.
For Damascus, the invitation to a major UN conference hosted by Abu Dhabi provides another opportunity to strengthen its international presence and expand ties with one of the Gulf’s major economic and diplomatic actors.
The latest talks do not announce any major new bilateral agreement, but they underline the continuing normalization and expansion of Syria-UAE relations as Damascus seeks deeper engagement with Arab states.
Anoush Taimur is an International Relations graduate from DHA Suffa University, Karachi, currently based in Doha. Her research interests include Gulf politics, small-state diplomacy, Global South studies and conflict
mediation. Her work examines how states create influence through connectivity, institutions and strategic relationships. She can be reached at [email protected]
