By Lesedi Sibiya-Diplomatic Insider
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa arrived in the United Arab Emirates on Monday, 12 January 2026, to participate in Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) 2026, following an invitation from UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The President was accompanied by four Cabinet ministers for the two-day summit, which took place from 12 to 13 January 2026.
The 2026 edition of ADSW, held under the theme “Nexus of Next: All Systems Go”, brought together heads of state, senior policymakers, private sector leaders and civil society representatives to advance cross-sector collaboration, accelerate large-scale systemic change and deliver practical solutions aimed at advancing global sustainable development.
As part of the visit, President Ramaphosa held bilateral talks on Tuesday, 13 January 2026, with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan ahead of the official opening ceremony of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week. The discussions focused on strengthening diplomatic relations, expanding economic cooperation and enhancing collaboration on sustainability and energy transition initiatives.
South Africa continues to maintain strong bilateral relations with the United Arab Emirates, underpinned by regular high-level engagements and growing economic ties. In 2024, South Africa’s exports to the UAE exceeded US$2.7 billion, while the UAE continued to invest in South Africa across key sectors including transport, renewable energy and logistics.
The ministerial delegation accompanying the President included Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola, Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Parks Tau, Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Mmamoloko Kubayi, and Minister in the Presidency Kumbudzo Ntshavheni.
According to Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya, President Ramaphosa attended the ADSW opening ceremony on 12 January 2026, as well as the Zayed Sustainability Prize Awards Ceremony, which recognised 11 global winners driving tangible impact across the categories of Health, Food, Energy, Water, Climate Action and Global High Schools.
During the visit, President Ramaphosa also engaged with high-level industry leaders to explore opportunities to increase investment flows into South Africa and strengthen partnerships in support of inclusive economic growth and the country’s clean energy transition.
Opening the summit on 12 January 2026, Dr Abdula Humaid Al Jarwan emphasised the evolving role of regulators in a complex global environment. “In today’s world, regulators cannot be one-dimensional. The new generation of regulators must understand systems from the inside out — the role of government, technical realities, operational behaviour and the financial consequences of every policy decision they take,” he said.
Addressing the summit on 13 January 2026, Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu highlighted the urgency of integrated global responses. “The theme ‘Nexus of Next’ underscores the urgency and integration required to drive a sustainable transition across finance, technology, energy and human capital,” he said.
Responding to questions at the summit on 13 January 2026 regarding the balance between climate action and economic growth, President Ramaphosa said the two objectives were mutually reinforcing. “Countries that have embarked on climate action strategies have found that these interventions ultimately yield economic growth. Climate action should therefore be seen as a driver and an enabler of economic growth,” he said.
“The more we embrace clean energy, the more new technologies emerge and opportunities open up. While certain sub-sectors may decline, new ones are established, strengthening economies and ensuring long-term sustainability,” President Ramaphosa added.