A landmark Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between the United Arab Emirates and Australia came into force last week. Negotiated within the space of just nine months, it is Australia’s first free trade agreement with any country in the Middle East and North Africa and, to date, it is the most liberalising free trade agreement the UAE has agreed to.

An agreement this powerful only comes about when deep friendship and trust exist between nations. Such mutual confidence is an invaluable asset that cannot be wished into existence. It can only grow out of shared commitment and effort, proven sincerity and the test of time, as we have seen across the history of the partnership between our countries.

One need only look across the international landscape to be reminded of the value of such steady, deeply rooted ties. Where trust exists, human potential can be unlocked, human imagination and talent can be freed, and a ladder can be created for future generations. When Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited the UAE last week to mark the 50th year of our bilateral relationship and usher in this new era of unfettered trade, we had much to celebrate.

Our agreement removes barriers to trade, accelerates investment and brings our businesses closer, benefiting citizens of both our nations. It will propel bilateral non-oil trade to more than US$15 billion by 2032 on current projections, a threefold increase on 2023 volumes. It includes provisions that promote an inclusive environment for not only businesses but also First Nations people, making it Australia’s first ever free trade agreement to include a chapter promoting First Nations trade and investment. It also integrates women’s economic empowerment into our trade relationship, confirming that our partnership is as much about our shared values as it is our economic affinities.

At a time when free trade faces headwinds globally, the UAE and Australia are taking a bold step in the other direction. When fully implemented, the agreement will eliminate tariffs on more than 99 percent of Australia’s exports to the UAE by value, Duties on Australia’s red meat exports to the UAE–worth more than $595 million annually–will also be eliminated. We are deepening our cooperation across the board, including in food security, tourism, agriculture and forestry, scientific research and education. The agreement enables collaboration in cutting-edge fields, funnelling Australian advanced technology and expertise to the UAE and vice versa. By aligning with shared sustainability goals, the agreement also paves the way for both our nations to work towards achieving our net-zero goals by 2050.

We also celebrate the immense goodwill underpinning this evolution in our relationship, built on decades of people-to-people links and the enthusiastic sharing of sport and culture. As my sportsman father often reminds me, the history of rugby sevens in the UAE predates our independence. When teams take to the pitch for the upcoming tournament at Dubai’s Sevens Stadium, it will mark the 55th year of the sport being played on our territory, with all the camaraderie, mutual appreciation and healthy competitive spirit that is also reflected in our dealings at the government-to-government level.

More than 28,000 Australians now live, work and study in the UAE. Emirati students and professionals are lucky to benefit from Australia’s world-class education system, technical training and research institutions both in Australia and within their home country. Education remains a meaningful pillar of our relationship, and we view Australia as a valued partner in our efforts to invest in people through quality education and global learning experiences. Together, we are committed to expanding scholarship opportunities and institutional collaboration that benefit the next generation of Emiratis and Australians alike.

As we look ahead, the UAE–Australia partnership continues to grow across sectors and levels, from government to business, and even cities. This October, Expo City Dubai, which has convened the world twice, will once more bring together mayors and city leaders from around the globe, doing so in close collaboration with Brisbane City Council–a powerful reflection of how our two nations are also working hand-in-hand to help shape the future of cities everywhere.

It is not hard to see the many natural barriers that could have impeded the development of ties between our countries–the vast distances separating us, the disparity in our population sizes, as well as the geographical extent of our respective landmasses among them. But time has shown these to be superficial differences.

The attributes most needed for success in the 21st century are ones which, fortunately, both our countries possess in abundance: open economies; deep and growing human capital; advanced infrastructure; fertile knowledge and business ecosystems; vibrant technological capabilities; and an enabling governmental environment. Stanford University’s 2024 Global AI Power Ranking, for example, put the UAE in fifth place globally for AI leadership and capability, preceded by only the United States, China, Britain and India.

The future will belong to nations and peoples that can harness technology, manage geopolitical uncertainty and forge agile, responsive, practical partnerships in novel and imaginative ways. Our new trade agreement is one such gambit, but will not be the last, both in our relationship with Australia and in partnerships we seek to deepen with other nations.

Though oceans apart, the strength of our partnership lies in the bridges we have built over time, and in 2025 we celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations. At 50 years old, many people are said to come into their own, combining vigour with wisdom. The same is true for our partnership. Together, the UAE and Australia are creating opportunities for our citizens, joining our efforts to surmount shared challenges, and contributing to global stability and prosperity. The sixth decade of our bilateral relations looks set to be its best to date, and a strong foundation on which to build for the future.