Sharjah 24 – WAM: Reem bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation, visited the Republic of Paraguay to reinforce cooperation between the two countries across the political, economic and trade fields, as well as people-to-people ties.
The UAE delegation included Saeed Abdullah Al Qamzi, UAE Ambassador to the Republic of Argentina and Non-Resident Ambassador to the Oriental Republic of Uruguay and the Republic of Paraguay, a team from the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as a group from the business community including representatives from Terminals Holding.
During the visit, Al Hashimy met with Santiago Peña, President of the Republic of Paraguay, and conveyed the greetings of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. She also discussed ways to enhance bilateral relations in various fields, including sustainability, economy, and infrastructure development.
In addition, Al Hashimy commended Paraguay for prioritising MERCOSUR’s Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) negotiations with the UAE, highlighting the successful conclusion of the first round of negotiations during Paraguay’s presidency of the MERCOSUR trade bloc. She emphasised that signing the CEPA will positively impact trade and investment flows between the UAE and MERCOSUR member states, highlighting Paraguay’s strategic importance in South America.
Al Hashimy expressed appreciation for Paraguay’s commitment to renewable energy, particularly hydropower, with the country generating 99 percent of its power from renewable sources, mainly via the Itaipu Dam, positioning it as a global leader in clean energy. This robust sector not only fulfills domestic needs but also solidifies Paraguay’s position as a significant clean energy exporter. In parallel, the UAE is leading the way in combating climate change while simultaneously ensuring energy security, with the country on the way to achieving net zero by 2050 by utilising clean energy.
Discussions also included bilateral cooperation and investment opportunities in the field of logistics and transportation such as airports, and the joint declaration on the Bi-Oceanic Corridor, which was signed during COP28 and includes the UAE, Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, and Chile.
Both sides highlighted the strong relations between the two countries and reaffirmed the commitment of their leadership to further strengthen ties, especially in economic and trade fields, to achieve growth and prosperity aligned with their future-oriented visions.
During her visit, Al Hashimy also met with Rubén Ramírez Lezcano, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Paraguay, to discuss additional elements to the bilateral relationship.
She signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Agriculture and Food Security, with Carlos Giménez Díaz, Paraguay’s Minister of Agriculture, at Paraguay’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Al Hashimy emphasised the importance of food security for the UAE, highlighting the country's commitment to collaborating with international entities to ensure long-term food security. She stated that the MoU with Paraguay’s Ministry of Agriculture is in line with their efforts to create sustainable food systems and achieve mutual food security goals. She expressed that the UAE looks forward to working with Paraguayan counterparts and achieving the benefits of this partnership.
The visit concluded with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Al Hashimy and Rubén Ramírez Lezcano, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Paraguay on Cooperation in Transportation. The MoU outlines a broad range of potential opportunities for collaboration, including airport development and logistics.
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