"South African President Cyril Ramaphosa arrived in Dubai on Monday for a two-day official state visit aimed at strengthening bilateral relations with the United Arab Emirates and taking part in Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2026. Footage shows Ramaphosa being received by Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, the UAE’s Minister of Economy, before the two posed for photographs and held initial discussions. The visit follows an invitation from Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The two leaders are expected to hold closed-door talks on Tuesday, focusing on expanding trade, technological cooperation and security collaboration. Ramaphosa’s trip coincides with Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2026, held under the theme 'Nexus of Next: All Systems Go', which brings together global leaders, policymakers and businesses to advance collective action on sustainability. Organisers say the event aims to unite public, private and civil society actors to accelerate climate-related solutions, an agenda that aligns with South Africa’s green-economy ambitions and existing UAE-backed investments. The UAE is among South Africa’s key foreign investors, particularly in transport, logistics and renewable energy. Bilateral trade exceeded $5.22 billion last year, with South African exports to the UAE reaching $2.68 billion, up five percent year on year."