(MENAFN- Mid-East Info) DUBAI, October 2025 – Mayors and deputy mayors from 20 cities across Brazil convened at Expo City Dubai on Monday to explore increased city-to-city cooperation on sustainable urban development and honour growing business ties between the UAE and Brazil.

The gathering, attended by His Excellency Sharif Essa Al Suwaidi, UAE Ambassador to the Federative Republic of Brazil, and His Excellency Sidney Leon Romeiro, Ambassador of the Federative Republic of Brazil to the UAE, took place on the sidelines of the first day of the Asia Pacific Cities Summit and Mayors' Forum and reflected the UAE's deepening strategic urban cooperation and economic ties with city leaders across Brazil.

With mayors and urban coalitions increasingly at the forefront of global problem-solving, the UAE is focusing efforts on establishing direct, foundational relationships with Brazilian cities, including São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Curitiba, advancing shared goals in AI, digital transformation, climate adaptation and inclusive growth.

A robust and strategic economic alliance:

Economic relations between the two nations are characterised by a high level of mutual investments and significant trade flows: Brazil is the UAE's largest trade partner in South America, while the UAE is the second-largest trade partner for Brazil in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

Dubai-based companies are increasing their operations in Brazil, with DP World expanding its investments around São Paulo's Port of Santos, where it operates one of the country's largest private port terminals. Meanwhile, Emirates Airline has upped the frequency of its flights to Brazil, now operating daily flights from Dubai to Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo to address rising demand for both tourism and business travel.

Building the next generation of sustainable cities:

The gathering was also an opportunity to cement the UAE and Brazil's 50-year diplomatic relationship, celebrated last year, and further align on a shared commitment to creating sustainable, resilient and inclusive cities, enhancing existing areas of cooperation and investment including in technology, tourism, culture, trade and renewable energy.

The discussion also focused on opportunities for public-private partnerships, particularly around inclusive innovation zones, smart infrastructure and green mobility projects.

With a goal to translate urban visions into tangible reality, city leaders highlighted the complementary expertise of both nations – the UAE's rapid implementation of smart infrastructure and Brazil's extensive experience with large-scale urban systems and rich biodiversity.

The mayors and city leaders are in Dubai for the global cities summit – held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai. Over three days, they will dive deep into the challenges facing cities across the world, leveraging shared experiences in rapid urban development and infrastructure deployment to tackle global challenges such as climate resilience and citizen wellbeing.

About Expo City Dubai:

Expo City Dubai, the legacy city of Expo 2020 Dubai, is an innovation-driven, people-centric community rooted in the belief that collaboration can propel sustainable progress. Its prime location and world-class connectivity place it at the centre of Dubai's future – the lynchpin between Dubai Exhibition Centre, Al Maktoum International Airport and Jebel Ali Port and a key driver of Dubai's Economic Agenda (D33)

• A world-class free zone, it is home to a thriving business community that supports cross-sector collaboration and provides a springboard for businesses of all sizes to scale and grow, enhancing Dubai's position as a global centre of trade and reinforcing the UAE's development and diversification ambitions
• Its residential communities redefine urban living, exemplifying best practice in innovative, environment-friendly design with a focus on wellbeing and happiness
• An incubator for innovation, it is a testbed for solutions and a platform for groundbreaking ideas that benefit both people and the planet
• Packed with educational, cultural and entertainment offerings, with more than 30 indoor and outdoor venues attracting globally significant events, it celebrates human creativity and ingenuity and inspires future generations
• Designed as a blueprint for sustainable urban living and one of five hubs on the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, its roadmap to achieving net zero by 2050 and its broader decarbonisation targets raise the bar on responsible urban development

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