Australia and UAE begin negotiations on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement

Australia + UAE to begin trade talks in 2024: The UAE and Australia are set to begin negotiations on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) aimed at boosting trade and investments in renewables and mining among other sectors, Wam reports. The trade agreement — Australia’s first in the MENA region — will also target the logistics, food security, and tourism sectors, UAE Minister for Foreign Trade Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi told Wam.

IN OTHER CLIMATE DIPLO NEWS-Oman + Korea boost hydrogen partnership: Oman and South Korea are partnering on expanding green hydrogen production, Muscat Daily reports. The two states discussed developing a green hydrogen supply chain and ecosystem and hydrogen industrial infrastructure and mobility. "This bilateral partnership will extend to stakeholders in the green hydrogen industry at regional and global levels, contributing to the fulfillment of zero-carbon emissions by 2050 and the pursuit of a new paradigm of energy security," said Korea's ambassador to Oman Kiejoo Kim.

Korea already has ties in Oman: Oman and South Korea signed an MoU in August to develop bilateral cooperation in the green transition. A consortium led by South Korea’s steelmaking company Posco Group was awarded in June a USD 6.7 bn contract to set up what it described as the world’s largest green hydrogen plant in Oman’s Duqm.