The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between Australia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE)
During an Official Visit on 29 September 2025, marking 50 years of diplomatic relations, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan elevated the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership. A central component of this enhanced relationship is the Australia-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which is came into force on 1 October 2025, along with an Investment Protection Agreement.
The CEPA is designed to be the bedrock of future trade and investment, aiming to unlock economic opportunities, strengthen supply chains, and advance shared prosperity by enhancing market access and reducing trade barriers. The agreement seeks to drive growth, innovation, and job creation through deepened cooperation.
Significantly, the CEPA champions sustainable and inclusive trade, containing the first ever standalone chapter on First Nations trade and investment in an Australian trade agreement. This highlights a shared commitment to enabling Indigenous businesses, small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs), and women-led businesses to benefit actively. The Leaders underscored the importance of two-way investment in key sectors such as renewable and green energy, critical minerals, agriculture, and artificial intelligence, further leveraging the UAE’s role as a global logistics hub for Australian exports.
Read the official Joint Declaration Here
Read bout the key benefits for Australians on the DFAT website
