Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE minister of State for Foreign Trade, and Jeremiah Manele, prime minister of the Solomon Islands, officially opened the Solomon Islands Embassy in Abu Dhabi. The ceremony was attended by embassy staff and several prominent business leaders.
During the event, Dr. Al Zeyoudi and Prime Minister Manele revealed a plaque that signifies the establishment of the Solomon Islands’ diplomatic mission in Abu Dhabi. Notably present was Cornelius Walegerea, the Solomon Islands Ambassador to the UAE, alongside members of the foreign diplomatic community from the Solomon Islands.
Strengthening bilateral relations
Dr. Al Zeyoudi emphasized that the opening of the new embassy reflects the two nations’ dedication to enhancing bilateral relations and cooperation across various sectors. He described the occasion as a significant milestone in the growing partnership between the UAE and the Solomon Islands.
Growth in trade and investment
Furthermore, Dr. Al Zeyoudi remarked that since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 2010, the two countries have fostered productive trade and investment connections. In 2023, non-oil bilateral trade surged by 71 percent compared to the previous year, totaling $3 million. Exports from the Solomon Islands to the UAE more than quadrupled in the same timeframe, benefiting local industries like fishing and forestry.
Renewable energy initiatives
Additionally, Dr. Al Zeyoudi highlighted the UAE-Pacific Partnership Fund’s contribution to developing a solar power plant in the Solomon Islands, which is constructed and managed by the Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar).
Commitment to future cooperation
Prime Minister Manele expressed that the embassy’s inauguration would further strengthen the ties between the two nations. He praised the ongoing collaboration between the Solomon Islands and the UAE across multiple sectors and reaffirmed his country’s commitment to deepening this partnership for mutual benefit.
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