Today, Italy celebrates its Republic Day – a time to reflect on the values of freedom, the rights of the person and labour that underpin our Constitution. It is also a moment to honour the partnerships that allow us to project those values on to the global stage. Few are as vibrant and future-oriented as the one between Italy and the UAE.
This year, our celebrations take on special significance. Just a few months ago, Italy welcomed the first-ever state visit by a UAE President. The visit of President Sheikh Mohamed was, in every sense, historic. It marked the beginning of a new strategic co-operation between our nations.
Italy and the UAE are no strangers to each other. For centuries, Italian and Arab merchants crossed the spice route, trading goods, ideas and talent. Even in a time without trade insurance, Swift codes or arbitration mechanisms, Italians came to the Gulf driven by trust in their partners. That trust endures. In an uncertain world, our ability to rely on one another is what makes us, truly, unstoppable together. Its legacy continues to surface even today, as shown by the recent exhibition “From Sharjah to Rome via the Spice Route”, held at the Roman Forum, which celebrated our long-lasting exchanges and mutual influences.
Our bond is more than historical. It is visionary. A vision we now encapsulate in this year’s Republic Day motto: “Forging the Future Together.”
Over the past months, that vision has turned into reality. Trade between our countries has reached record highs, with Italian exports to the UAE exceeding those to Egypt, Morocco and Libya combined. Remarkably, we export more to the UAE than to India – a nation with more than 140 times its population. Over 600 Italian companies now operate in the UAE, and Italian investments in the country have grown by more than 50 per cent in the past five years.
It is no surprise then that Italy was the first country to ask the European Commission to start negotiations for a free trade agreement with the UAE. Now that these negotiations have started, we hope they will be finalised soon. Italy and the UAE are also partners in the new India-Middle East-Europe economic corridor, a crucial link to connect our continents and create new opportunities for growth.
The UAE’s decision to invest up to €40 billion (Dh167 billion) in Italy reflects a deep level of trust and alignment. These investments focus on shared priorities: artificial intelligence, energy transition, real estate, digital infrastructure, space exploration and rare earth supply chains. Our co-operation stretches across every frontier, from the depths of the sea to the vastness of space. New ambitious partnerships have been recently launched, such as the construction of a next-generation data centre in Italy with advanced carbon capture technology; a massive project to use Europe’s largest supercomputer cluster in Italy; new co-operation programmes on space.
Our relations are grounded not only in strategic interests, but also in people. In the strength of personal relationships, family ties and social bonds. Over 20,000 Italians live and work in the UAE, fully integrated into a society of more than 200 nationalities. They bring expertise, innovation and the Italian way of life. Among them, more than 160 Italian researchers and academics contribute daily to cutting-edge projects across UAE institutions.
Together with the UAE, we feel responsible for helping those in need with humanitarian aid
Our partnership has also a global reach. Italy and the UAE are conducing efforts in Africa with a common approach. We co-operate with African governments and peoples to foster prosperity in this dynamic continent full of opportunities. This same spirit shapes our global diplomacy. Italy and the UAE stand for dialogue over divisive agendas, hope over despair, and tolerance over extremism.
Together with the UAE, we feel responsible for helping those in need with humanitarian aid. We have provided significant assistance to the civilians in Gaza who have been suffering for far too long. It is the children, the elderly and the sick who are suffering the most. Now, as Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani clearly stated, the bombings in Gaza must stop, humanitarian aid must resume as soon as possible, and respect for international humanitarian law must be restored.
In particular, we share the words of peace of Pope Leo XIV, echoing from Rome to the world, and we remain inspired by the Document on Human Fraternity, signed in Abu Dhabi in 2019, which guides our commitment to interfaith dialogue.
The message of this Republic Day is clear: Italy and the UAE have a long history in common based on mutual trust. However, our strength lies not only in our past, but also in our forward-looking partnership.
By building on our mutual trust and our common vision, we can “Forge the Future Together”.
Why seagrass matters
- Carbon sink: Seagrass sequesters carbon up to 35X faster than tropical rainforests
- Marine nursery: Crucial habitat for juvenile fish, crustations, and invertebrates
- Biodiversity: Support species like sea turtles, dugongs, and seabirds
- Coastal protection: Reduce erosion and improve water quality
More coverage from the Future Forum
MATCH INFO
Rugby World Cup (all times UAE)
Third-place play-off: New Zealand v Wales, Friday, 1pm
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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House-hunting
Top 10 locations for inquiries from US house hunters, according to Rightmove
- Edinburgh, Scotland
- Westminster, London
- Camden, London
- Glasgow, Scotland
- Islington, London
- Kensington and Chelsea, London
- Highlands, Scotland
- Argyll and Bute, Scotland
- Fife, Scotland
- Tower Hamlets, London
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Mica
Director: Ismael Ferroukhi
Stars: Zakaria Inan, Sabrina Ouazani
3 stars
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
Defending champions
World Series: South Africa
Women’s World Series: Australia
Gulf Men’s League: Dubai Exiles
Gulf Men’s Social: Mediclinic Barrelhouse Warriors
Gulf Vets: Jebel Ali Dragons Veterans
Gulf Women: Dubai Sports City Eagles
Gulf Under 19: British School Al Khubairat
Gulf Under 19 Girls: Dubai Exiles
UAE National Schools: Al Safa School
International Invitational: Speranza 22
International Vets: Joining Jack
Jigra
Starring: Alia Bhatt, Vedang Raina, Manoj Pahwa, Harsh Singh
Wicked
Director: Jon M Chu
Stars: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
Types of bank fraud
1) Phishing
Fraudsters send an unsolicited email that appears to be from a financial institution or online retailer. The hoax email requests that you provide sensitive information, often by clicking on to a link leading to a fake website.
2) Smishing
The SMS equivalent of phishing. Fraudsters falsify the telephone number through “text spoofing,” so that it appears to be a genuine text from the bank.
3) Vishing
The telephone equivalent of phishing and smishing. Fraudsters may pose as bank staff, police or government officials. They may persuade the consumer to transfer money or divulge personal information.
4) SIM swap
Fraudsters duplicate the SIM of your mobile number without your knowledge or authorisation, allowing them to conduct financial transactions with your bank.
5) Identity theft
Someone illegally obtains your confidential information, through various ways, such as theft of your wallet, bank and utility bill statements, computer intrusion and social networks.
6) Prize scams
Fraudsters claiming to be authorised representatives from well-known organisations (such as Etisalat, du, Dubai Shopping Festival, Expo2020, Lulu Hypermarket etc) contact victims to tell them they have won a cash prize and request them to share confidential banking details to transfer the prize money.
Crops that could be introduced to the UAE
1: Quinoa
2. Bathua
3. Amaranth
4. Pearl and finger millet
5. Sorghum
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
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The biog
Name: Atheja Ali Busaibah
Date of birth: 15 November, 1951
Favourite books: Ihsan Abdel Quddous books, such as “The Sun will Never Set”
Hobbies: Reading and writing poetry
The specs: 2019 Mercedes-Benz C200 Coupe
Price, base: Dh201,153
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Power: 204hp @ 5,800rpm
Torque: 300Nm @ 1,600rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.7L / 100km
BRIEF SCORES:
Toss: Nepal, chose to field
UAE 153-6: Shaiman (59), Usman (30); Regmi 2-23
Nepal 132-7: Jora 53 not out; Zahoor 2-17
Result: UAE won by 21 runs
Series: UAE lead 1-0
Director: Laxman Utekar
Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna
Rating: 1/5
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Match info
Huddersfield Town 0
Chelsea 3
Kante (34'), Jorginho (45' pen), Pedro (80')
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Abu Dhabi GP schedule
Friday: First practice - 1pm; Second practice - 5pm
Saturday: Final practice - 2pm; Qualifying - 5pm
Sunday: Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (55 laps) - 5.10pm
MATCH INFO
Rugby World Cup (all times UAE)
Third-place play-off: New Zealand v Wales, Friday, 1pm
Final: England v South Africa, Saturday, 1pm
