Singapore PM visits Abu Dhabi museum for landmark talks
Leaders meet at Zayed National Museum, framing ties around citizens' futures
The choice of venue carried meaning of its own. When His Excellency Lawrence Wong, Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore, arrived at Zayed National Museum for talks with His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, the setting told part of the story. The museum embodies the legacy of the UAE’s Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and highlights a vision rooted in tolerance, openness and cultural dialogue. Those are the values that shaped the country’s approach to building bridges of friendship and cooperation with nations and peoples worldwide.
For the peoples of both countries, the significance lies in what the two sides described as a partnership built on mutual trust and a shared vision. During their discussions, held on the Prime Minister’s official visit to the UAE, the two leaders exchanged cordial views on the deep-rooted relations between the UAE and Singapore and their close partnership. They also affirmed a commitment to strengthening cooperation further, to serve both countries’ interests and support their peoples’ aspirations for a more advanced and prosperous future.
That commitment to citizens’ wellbeing and future prosperity formed the stated core of the conversation. It framed the relationship not as an abstract diplomatic exercise but as one measured by what it delivers for the populations it is meant to serve.
Following the talks, His Highness accompanied the Prime Minister on a tour of the museum, offering the visiting leader a direct encounter with the founding story and values that continue to guide the UAE’s engagement with the world.
The meeting drew a senior delegation of UAE officials, reflecting the breadth of the relationship across government, culture and technology. Those attending included His Excellency Sheikh Khalifa bin Tahnoon bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Court; His Excellency Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Executive Affairs Authority; His Excellency Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology; His Excellency Faisal Abdulaziz Al Bannai, Adviser to the UAE President for Strategic Research and Advanced Technology Affairs; His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi; His Excellency Ahmed Tamim Al Kuttab, Chairman of the Department of Government Enablement - Abu Dhabi; His Excellency Saif Saeed Ghobash, Secretary-General of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council and Chairman of the Office of the Crown Prince; and His Excellency Dr Abdulnasser Jamal Alshaali, UAE Ambassador to the Republic of Singapore.
The gathering at the museum was covered by the Abu Dhabi Media Office, whose report is available at https://www.mediaoffice.abudhabi/en/crown-prince-news/khaled-bin-mohamed-bin-zayed-meets-prime-minister-of-singapore-at-zayed-national-museum/. For readers following the UAE’s international engagements, the meeting offers a picture of how the country presents itself to partners: through its founding values, its cultural institutions and a stated focus on cooperation that serves ordinary people in both nations. Whether that focus translates into tangible benefits for citizens remains the measure by which such encounters will ultimately be judged.
Q&A
Where did the talks between the UAE and Singapore leaders take place?
The Zayed National Museum, which embodies the legacy of the UAE's Founding Father and values of tolerance, openness and cultural dialogue.
What did the two leaders commit to during their discussions?
Strengthening cooperation to serve both countries' interests and support their peoples' aspirations for a more advanced and prosperous future.
How was the UAE-Singapore relationship characterized?
A partnership built on mutual trust and a shared vision, measured by what it delivers for the populations it is meant to serve.
Who attended the meeting alongside the two leaders?
A senior delegation of UAE officials spanning government, culture and technology, including court, executive, ministerial and diplomatic representatives.