President of Italy Sergio Mattarella will begin a state visit to the UAE on Tuesday, aimed at advancing long-standing ties between the countries.
Mr Mattarella will meet President Sheikh Mohamed to explore ways to strengthen partnerships in sectors such as the economy and development, state news agency Wam reported.
Sheikh Mohamed last met Mr Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Rome during a state visit in February 2025, as the UAE agreed to invest $40 billion in fields such as defence, energy – including civilian nuclear power – sustainable energy and energy transition, space and the promotion of cultural heritage.
Elected in 2015, Mr Mattarella, 84, is Italy's 12th and longest-serving president.
Bilateral non-oil trade between the UAE and Italy reached $7.9 billion in the first half of 2025, representing a 14.6 per cent increase on the corresponding period in 2024.
Sheikh Mohamed's state visit to Italy – in pictures
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President Sheikh Mohamed departs from Fiumicino Airport, concluding a state visit to Italy. Photo: Abdulla Al Bedwawi / UAE Presidential Court -
President Sheikh Mohamed bids farewell to Lorenzo Fanara, Italy's ambassador to the UAE. Photo: Hamad Al Kaabi / UAE Presidential Court -
President Sheikh Mohamed and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni of Italy with participants during the Italy-UAE Business Forum in Rome. Photo: Ryan Carter / UAE Presidential Court -
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni delivers a speech during Italy-UAE Business Forum. Abdulla Al Neyadi / UAE Presidential Court -
President Sheikh Mohamed; Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs; and Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoun, Adviser to the President, attend the Italy-UAE Business Forum. Photo: Abdulla Al Neyadi / UAE Presidential Court -
President Sheikh Mohamed and Ms Meloni attend the Italy-UAE Business Forum. Photo: Ryan Carter / UAE Presidential Court -
President Sheikh Mohamed and Ms Melon discussed the long-standing and historic ties between Italy and the UAE. Photo: Abdulla Al Bedwawi / UAE Presidential Court -
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni welcomes President Sheikh Mohamed at Quirinal Palace. Photo: Abdulla Al Bedwawi / UAE Presidential Court -
Both President Sheikh Mohamed and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed a shared desire to move the towards a comprehensive strategic partnership. Photo: Abdulla Al Bedwawi / UAE Presidential Court -
The Italian Armed Forces honour guard stand to attention at Quirinal Palace. Photo: Abdulla Al Bedwawi / UAE Presidential Court -
President Sheikh Mohamed presents an Etihad medal to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni before a meeting at Palazzo Chigi. Photo: Abdulla Al Bedwawi / UAE Presidential Court -
The Etihad medal presented to Ms Meloni. Photo: Abdulla Al Bedwawi / UAE Presidential Court -
President Sheikh Mohamed meets President of Italy Sergio Mattarella. Photo: Abdulla Al Neyadi / UAE Presidential Court -
President Sheikh Mohamed stands for a photograph with President Mattarella. Photo: Abdulla Al Neyadi / UAE Presidential Court -
President Sheikh Mohamed during the meeting at Quirinal Palace. Photo: Abdulla Al Neyadi / UAE Presidential Court -
President Sheikh Mohamed bids farewell to President Mattarella at Quirinal Palace. Photo: Abdulla Al Neyadi / UAE Presidential Court -
Members of the UAE delegation at Quirinal Palace. Photo: Abdulla Al Neyadi / UAE Presidential Court -
Reem Al Hashimy, the Minister of State for International Co-operation, speaks with Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani. Photo: Abdulla Al Neyadi / UAE Presidential Court -
President Mattarella bids farewell to Dr Sultan Al Jaber at Quirinal Palace. Abdulla Al Neyadi / UAE Presidential Court -
The UAE delegation at Quirinal Palace. Photo: Abdulla Al Neyadi / UAE Presidential Court -
President Sheikh Mohamed delivers a speech during a dinner banquet hosted by Sergio Mattarella, President of Italy, at Quirinal Palace. Photo: Hamad Al Kaabi / UAE Presidential Court -
President Mattarella delivers his speech. Photo: Abdulla Al Bedwawi / UAE Presidential Court -
President Sheikh Mohamed greets a member of the Italian delegation. Also pictured is President Mattarella. Photo: Hamad Al Kaabi / UAE Presidential Court -
Guests enjoy the dinner banquet. Photo: Abdulla Al Bedwawi / UAE Presidential Court -
Reem Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Co-operation, was in attendance. Photo: Abdulla Al Bedwawi / UAE Presidential Court -
President Sheikh Mohamed receives a gift from President Mattarella. Photo: Abdulla Al Bedwawi / UAE Presidential Court -
Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, with Antonio Tajani, Italy's Foreign Minister. Photo: Abdulla Al Bedwawi / UAE Presidential Court -
Hamad Al Shamsi, Secretary General of the Supreme Council for National Security, greets President Mattarella. Also pictured are President Sheikh Mohamed and Laura Mattarella, First Lady of Italy. Photo: Hamad Al Kaabi / UAE Presidential Court -
Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni pictured at the reception. Photo: Abdulla Al Bedwawi / UAE Presidential Court -
President Sheikh Mohamed and President Mattarella inspect Italian armed forces. Photo: Abdulla Al Neyadi / UAE Presidential Court
A senior delegation led by Abu Dhabi's Department of Economic Development visited Italy last week to strengthen co-operation.
The delegation included more than 100 senior officials and executives from both the public and private sectors, including representatives from the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, ADGM, Abu Dhabi Investment Office, Abu Dhabi Customs and Hub71.
More than 680 Italian companies operate in Abu Dhabi across energy, construction, advanced manufacturing, financial services, technology, education and professional services. In 2025, the number of new Italian businesses established in the emirate increased by 29 per cent.
