QUITO: Ecuador President Daniel Noboa awarded Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan the National Order of Merit in the Grade of Grand Collar on Monday as the United Arab Emirates and Ecuador announced a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement during talks at the Carondelet Palace, according to official statements. The meeting also featured announcements covering investment cooperation, a security infrastructure programme valued at $250 million, and an anti-corruption cooperation framework between relevant authorities in both countries.
Sheikh Khaled arrived at the presidential palace for an official reception ceremony that included the playing of the national anthems of the United Arab Emirates and Ecuador, followed by a review of a guard of honour in the palace courtyard. During the meeting, Sheikh Khaled conveyed greetings from UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to Noboa, while Noboa welcomed the visit and asked that his greetings be conveyed to the UAE president, the statements said.
Noboa conferred the Grand Collar decoration during an official ceremony at the palace, with Ecuador describing the grade as the country’s highest civilian honour for heads of state, government leaders and senior officials. Noboa said the distinction recognised Sheikh Khaled’s contributions to the growing strategic partnership between Ecuador and the United Arab Emirates, particularly in priority sectors linked to national development agendas. Sheikh Khaled reaffirmed a commitment to expanding bilateral cooperation in line with leadership directives and shared aspirations, the statements said.
Trade pact and investment agenda
The two sides formally announced the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, known as CEPA, and said it is intended to reduce tariffs and remove barriers to bilateral trade while strengthening cooperation between public and private sectors. The agreement was described as focusing on areas including clean energy, advanced technology, mining, logistics and agriculture, among other sectors of mutual interest. Officials said non-oil trade between the United Arab Emirates and Ecuador reached about $373.6 million in 2025, describing the UAE as a key trading partner for Ecuador in the Arab region and Africa.
Alongside the CEPA announcement, officials said a cooperation agreement was announced between the UAE Ministry of Investment and Ecuador’s Ministry of Production, Foreign Trade, Investments and Fisheries to explore investment opportunities across priority sectors. The meeting also highlighted efforts to deepen collaboration between public and private sectors, with development projects and cooperation agreements valued at more than $3 billion described as being under discussion. The talks covered food security and sustainable agriculture, clean and renewable energy, and advanced technology, the statements said.
Security and governance agreements
Officials said a memorandum of understanding was unveiled between EDGE Group and Ecuador’s Ministry of National Defence to strengthen collaboration in security infrastructure under a joint programme valued at $250 million. The programme was described as focusing on advancing surveillance systems and enhancing border protection capabilities. Separately, the UAE Accountability Authority and Ecuador’s Council for Citizen Participation and Social Control announced a memorandum of understanding aimed at strengthening cooperation in combating corruption and fostering integrity, governance and transparency across public sector frameworks.
Ecuador was described as the fourth Latin American country to sign a CEPA with the United Arab Emirates, following Costa Rica in April 2025, Chile in November 2025 and Colombia in April 2024. Officials also said the CEPA forms part of the UAE’s broader trade partnership network in South America, with negotiations under way with Peru to conclude a similar agreement. The talks and the decoration took place during a day of ceremonies at Ecuador’s presidential palace – By Content Syndication Services.