His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, a member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, recently attended a reception celebrating the 205th anniversary of independence for Central American countries, hosted by the embassies of Costa Rica, El Salvador, and Guatemala in the UAE. The event took place at the InterContinental Mina Al Arab Resort and Spa and was also attended by Minister of Foreign Trade, His Excellency Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, and Sheikha Hessa bint Sultan Al Nahyan, Assistant Undersecretary for Consular Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Strengthening Ties with Central America
The reception was graced by the presence of ambassadors from the involved nations, including Francisco Chacón Hernández, Ambassador of Costa Rica; Gerardo Pérez Figueroa, Ambassador of El Salvador; Jorge Rafael Archila Ruiz, Ambassador of Guatemala; and Luis Alfonso de Alba Gongora, Ambassador of the United Mexican States to the UAE. Many other foreign ambassadors, senior officials, and members of the diplomatic missions of the three Central American countries also attended the gathering.
In his address, Sheikh Saud emphasised the robust relationship that the UAE maintains with Central American nations, built on solid foundations of friendship and mutual respect. He highlighted the shared commitment to expanding cooperation and establishing partnerships that support development and achieve common interests. He remarked, “The UAE continues to solidify its approach based on openness and cooperation, building bridges between peoples, which opens wider horizons for international partnerships and exchange of opportunities and expertise.”
New Ventures in Air Mobility
In a separate event, Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi presided over the signing of a cooperation agreement between the Ras Al Khaimah Transport Authority, the Ras Al Khaimah Civil Aviation Department, and the Chinese company “EHang,” which specializes in advanced air mobility and is part of XPeng Inc. This agreement aims to develop, test, and implement advanced air mobility solutions in Ras Al Khaimah. This meeting took place at his palace in Saqr bin Mohammed City.
During the meeting, Sheikh Saud welcomed Zhao Deli, founder and CEO of XPeng, and his accompanying delegation, alongside Ismail Hassan Al Blooshi, Director General of the Ras Al Khaimah Transport Authority and Acting Director of the Civil Aviation Department, along with several senior officials.
Sheikh Saud noted that the agreement represents a significant step towards enhancing future mobility solutions in the emirate, leveraging global expertise and technology to inform a more efficient and sustainable transportation system. He stated, “We believe that the true value of technology reveals itself in its impact on people’s lives and its ability to support development and improve services. In Ras Al Khaimah, innovation is a fundamental part of our future vision, and we are committed to utilizing it in developing more efficient systems that meet our community’s and economy’s needs.”
Fostering Innovation and Technology
During the meeting, Sheikh Saud also listened to a presentation detailing the company’s main projects and expertise in the fields of smart electric vehicles, AI-supported mobility technologies, and advanced transportation solutions. The discussions also covered collaborative opportunities and avenues for joint work in areas of mutual interest.