Geopolitical Briefing: United Arab Emirates
— 20 June 2025
- 🛃 EU removes UAE from high-risk AML/CFT list, enhancing financial credibility.
- 🏗️ UAE unveils MoU with Indonesia on critical resource security and investment.
- 🚢 UAE coast guard evacuates 24 crew after a tanker collision near Strait of Hormuz amid regional navigation concerns.
- 🏦 UAE-Serbia CEPA enters into force in May, reducing tariffs and strengthening Eastern European ties.
- 🔄 UAE Economic Ministry rebrands as Ministry of Economy & Tourism, with AI advisory elevated to Cabinet level.
EU delists UAE from AML/CFT high-risk jurisdictions (10 June 2025)
The European Union officially removed the UAE from its “high-risk third-country” list for anti-money laundering and counter-terror financing on 10 June (en.wikipedia.org, thefinanceworld.com, khaleejtimes.com). This shift advances the UAE’s agenda to deepen global financial integration, improve market access to EU capital, and reduce dependency on opaque third‑party channels—thereby increasing its leverage in financial policy and multilateral partnerships.
UAE–Indonesia resource and governance MoU (20 June 2025)
On 20 June, the UAE signed a memorandum of understanding with Indonesia to collaborate on safeguarding critical resources and strengthening governance frameworks . This marks a strategic extension of Abu Dhabi’s economic diplomacy into Southeast Asia, promoting security of supply chains (notably energy and minerals) and enhancing institutional autonomy by engaging diverse state partners beyond Western dependencies.
Strait of Hormuz tanker collision and rescue (17 June 2025)
On 17 June, two oil tankers collided 24 nautical miles off Khor Fakkan in the Sea of Oman. The UAE coast guard evacuated 24 crew members from the Adalynn tanker after fires broke out (ainvest.com, wsj.com). While officials attributed the incident to navigational error, it occurred against a backdrop of increased electronic interference tied to Israel–Iran hostilities (wsj.com). The swift rescue reinforces UAE autonomy in securing strategic maritime infrastructure under heightened regional tension, supporting uninterrupted trade routes.
UAE–Serbia CEPA enforcement (May 2025)
The UAE–Serbia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement entered into force in May, eliminating tariffs on 96% of goods and boosting bilateral trade—non-oil trade reached US$121.4 million in 2024 (middleeastbriefing.com). This milestone diversifies Abu Dhabi’s economic allies across Eastern Europe, strengthening economic independence and reducing reliance on traditional geopolitical spheres.
Gov’t reorganization: Economy & Tourism ministry and AI council (20 June 2025)
On 20 June, the government reshuffled its economic governance: the Ministry of Economy was renamed the Ministry of Economy & Tourism, while the National AI System was elevated to an advisory body for Cabinet-level councils and federal entities starting January 2026 (khaleejtimes.com). This reconfiguration enhances central oversight of digital and tourism sectors and underscores UAE’s amplifying capacity to shape national development through state-led technological and economic investment strategies.
