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United Arab Emirates: Introductory profile and UK relations

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a federation of seven emirates (states), with an economy heavily dependent on oil and migrant-labour. It has long-standing defence and security ties with the US and UK and in recent years has sought to play a more influential role in Middle East politics. 

In 2026, the UAE has faced significant challenges, including attacks by Iran and closure of the Strait of Hormuz in the Israel/US-Iran conflict and tensions with Saudi Arabia over regional influence in Yemen and elsewhere.

This briefing sets out the UAE economy, its political system, and human rights situation. It also discusses UAE's foreign policy and international relations, including with the UK and regional states. It also lists further reading. 

How is the UAE governed?

The seven emirates of the UAE each hold substantial power and together they select the UAE president. From 2022, this has been Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, from the Abu Dhabi ruling family. He was widely seen as de facto leader when the UAE was led by his brother.

Most power is exercised by the executive. There is a 40-seat advisory Federal National Council, of whom half is appointed and the other half elected. At least 50% of its members must be women. There are no political parties.

What is the state of UAE society and economy?

The UAE’s “Centennial 2071 plan” includes goals such as developing a knowledge economy, empowering women, and raising national productivity. The state also wants to reduce its dependence on oil revenues. After withdrawing from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries in 2026, the UAE plans to increase its production in a “gradual” manner.

The International Monetary Fund judges the UAE’s economy to be largely resilient to the impact of the Israel/US-Iran conflict in 2026. The UAE has been investing in alternative oil pipelines to circumvent Iran’s announced blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. The UAE also has some of the largest sovereign wealth funds in the world (PDF), whose investment markets include the UK.

Human rights monitors continue to raise concerns about ongoing restrictions on political participation, the continuing use of the death penalty, aspects of freedom of religion or belief, worker rights and lack of protections for LGBT+ people. Some progress has been noted in the rights of women, with UAE laws allowing for equal pay and equal divorce rights for non-Muslim expatriates.

What is the state of UK-UAE relations?

The UAE became independent from the UK in 1971. The two have a “framework for enhanced cooperation” on issues including defence, trade and energy. Strategic government-to-government dialogues have been held since 2023.

The UAE is the UK’s largest trading partner in the Middle East and in 2026 the UK became the first G7 member to enter a free trade agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council, of which the UAE is a member. The UK Government estimates that the agreement could increase UK gross domestic product (GDP) by £3.7 billion a year in the long run (around 0.1% of GDP).

The UK Government says it has raised human rights concerns with UAE officials and over the detention of UK nationals including Ryan Cornelius. Monitoring groups have raised concerns on UK arms sales to the UAE being potentially used by armed groups in the conflict in Sudan. The UK Government says no UK weapons have been used; see below for the UAE response.

What is the nature of UAE foreign policy?

Relations with Iran have been shaped by a longstanding rivalry for regional influence since the Islamic Republic of Iran was established in 1979. The US/Israel-Iran conflict in 2026 has posed further challenges to the UAE.

While there was a rapprochement between the UAE and Iran in 2023, ties have deteriorated in 2026, with Iran launching direct attacks and announcing it would close the Strait of Hormuz (a significant export route for the UAE). In response, the UAE has said trade ties will be cut (the UAE is one of Iran’s major trading partners), though analysts expect this to be a gradual process.

While the US remains the UAE’s principal defence partner, the UAE has sought to deepen ties to other states, with France and South Korea also providing arms. The former also has a base in the UAE. The UAE’s establishment of diplomatic relations with Israel under the Abraham Accords in 2020 has been followed by defence and trade ties. The UAE has said despite its relationship, any Israeli annexation of the occupied West Bank is a “red line”.

The UAE and Saudi Arabia have also been in tension as they vie for regional influence. While both are opposed to the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen, they have supported different elements of the internationally recognised government. In Sudan, a UN expert report stated in 2026 that there are “reasonable grounds” to believe organisations and individuals in the UAE have supplied arms and other support to the Sudanese Rapid Support Forces. Other monitors have raised concerns for the level of smuggled gold into the UAE from conflict zones, and Sudanese weaponry with its origins in the UAE. The UAE strongly denies these reports and says it adheres to the arms embargo on Sudan and supports a civilian-led government in Sudan (PDF).