All roads lead to Rome. On Wednesday, Italian Undersecretary for Foreign Affairs Maria Tripodi welcomed UAE Minister of Economy Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri to Rome ahead of the May 16 “Investopia Europe” forum in Milan.
- Minister Al Marri’s visit to Italy comes at a pivotal moment.
- After his Rome meetings, he returned to the UAE to attend US President Donald Trump’s official mission in Abu Dhabi (and the Gulf Region), signalling a renewed US strategic role in the Middle East.
- For Rome, this is not just a moment of observation but of active alignment.
- Italy views the Gulf as a central node in its international agenda, from the Mattei Plan in Africa to new Eurasian corridors like IMEC.
Zoom in: IMEC as strategic enabler. “Both sides agreed on the importance of continuing to support bilateral trade, which reached €10 billion in 2024, marking a 13% increase, also through investments in infrastructure and connectivity, such as the IMEC corridor, which aims to more effectively connect India, the Middle East and Europe through the strategic Gulf region,” said the Italian Foreign Ministry in a statement.
- Tripodi also appreciated the UAE’s support of Italy’s broader regional efforts, including the Mattei Plan in the Middle East and Africa.
- Conversations with the UAE on IMEC were prominent during the Rome and Milan meetings.
- Italy sees the project as a key facilitator for trade and investment, which aligns with its Indo-Mediterranean partnerships.
- Another investment-focused forum, this time with India, is scheduled for June 4–5 in Brescia, further cementing Rome’s strategic alignment.
By the numbers. Investopia Europe is expected to feature more than 60 high-profile speakers and dozens of institutional representatives and entrepreneurs.
- A first-ever B2B session, scheduled for Friday afternoon, is designed to accelerate joint ventures between Italian and Emirati companies.
The experts’ take. Firas Al-Naeb, professor in international relations at the American University in the Emirates in Abu Dhabi, sees the Italy–UAE partnership evolving into a multidimensional alliance.
- “Strong political alignment is driving real economic momentum, with joint investments expanding in tech, AI, pharma, cloud, and digital education.”
- He says the Italy–UAE Investment Forum reflects this shift.
- “These aren’t just diplomatic events — they’re deal-making platforms that solidify a strategic partnership.”
Where is it headed? According to Hassan Al-Khalifi, an Emirati analyst, the bilateral relationship has three pillars.
- Green energy: Clean tech and hydrogen are clear priorities for cooperation.
- Digital innovation: Interest is growing in AI, robotics, and smart cities, particularly in UAE free zones like Masdar City.
- Soft power: Tourism and culture reinforce mutual visibility, creating deeper societal links.
A strategic tech shift. UAE’s G42 and Italy’s iGenius have announced a significant partnership to build Colosseum, Europe’s largest AI supercomputer.
- The project, led by G42’s subsidiary Core42, was unveiled at Investopia Europe in Milan and marks a significant step in the deepening strategic ties between Rome and Abu Dhabi through advanced technology.
- Italian Minister of Enterprises Adolfo Urso called the deal “a decisive step in our relations with the UAE,” adding, “Italy is on the right track, building its industrial future through strategic alliances in emerging technologies.”
- G42’s leadership echoed that vision: “This partnership reflects not only our commercial ambition but also the strategic trust linking the UAE and Italy in shaping the future of AI,” said Kiril Evtimov, G42’s Group CTO and CEO of Core42.
What we’re watching. Italy is doubling down on its Indo-Mediterranean ambitions just as US engagement in the Gulf is being redefined strongly.
- Strategic coordination with partners like the UAE, India and Saudi Arabia is central to Rome’s vision of a connected, investment-driven region.
