Investment cooperation
Two-way investment and cross-border partnerships between corporations, investors, sovereign and financial institutions.
Καλώς ήρθατε·Welcome·أهلاً وسهلاً
Investment, business and institutional cooperation between the United Arab Emirates and the Hellenic Republic.
An Athens Riviera Forum initiative·Under the auspices of the Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs
I
About the Council
The Council
The UAE–Greece Investment & Business Council is an independent, non-profit platform headquartered in Greece. It is the institutionalized mechanism for investment and business connectivity between the two countries, bringing together the public and private sectors.
The Athens–Abu Dhabi corridorThe strategic relationship between the United Arab Emirates and the Hellenic Republic has developed into an increasingly significant partnership, grounded in mutual trust, shared strategic interests and a common vision for deeper economic cooperation in a rapidly evolving international environment.
At a time of shifting global economic dynamics and emerging investment opportunities, the Council aims to translate this partnership into tangible outcomes by providing a structured, long-term framework for two-way investment, deeper economic cooperation and meaningful business collaboration, creating lasting value for both countries and strengthening their role as strategic partners connecting Europe, the Middle East and beyond.
Through sustained engagement, targeted initiatives and strategic interaction between investors, business leaders, institutions and policymakers, the Council fosters long-term partnerships between leading Emirati and Greek corporations, investors and key stakeholders.
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Mission
The fundamental objective of the Council is to deepen bilateral economic relations between Greece and the United Arab Emirates by creating a trusted platform for investment cooperation, business engagement and institutional dialogue.
Mission statement
The Council promotes two-way investment opportunities and supports the development of cross-border partnerships between corporations, investors, sovereign entities, financial institutions, entrepreneurs and government stakeholders from both countries. It aims to strengthen economic connectivity between Southeast Europe and the Gulf region while facilitating long-term cooperation across sectors driving growth, innovation and economic diversification.
Through high-level engagement and sustained collaboration, the Council contributes to the creation of a dynamic bilateral ecosystem that supports economic diplomacy, private-sector partnerships, strategic investment initiatives and broader regional cooperation.
Business engagement
Connecting entrepreneurs, companies and government stakeholders across sectors driving growth and diversification.
Institutional dialogue
Serving economic diplomacy and a bilateral ecosystem linking Southeast Europe and the Gulf.
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Priority Sectors
The Council concentrates on the sectors where Emirati capital and Greek opportunity meet most directly, and where two-way investment can create lasting value for both economies.
Energy & the green transition
Renewables, LNG and gas infrastructure, electricity interconnection and hydrogen, linking Gulf capital with Southeast Europe’s energy networks.
Ports, shipping & logistics
Greek shipping and Emirati port and logistics networks along the trade corridors connecting Asia, the Gulf and Europe.
Infrastructure & real estate
Transport, urban regeneration, and commercial, residential and mixed-use development.
Tourism & hospitality
Hotels, resorts and destination development in two of the region’s leading travel economies.
AI, technology & innovation
Digital infrastructure, data centres, artificial intelligence and start-up ecosystems.
Financial services & capital markets
Sovereign and institutional investment, private capital, banking and fintech.
Food security & agri-food
Mediterranean production, processing and supply chains serving Gulf markets.
Healthcare & life sciences
Hospitals, pharmaceuticals, medical services and research.
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The Athens–Abu Dhabi Corridor
A bridge connecting the Gulf’s capital depth with Southeast Europe’s gateway potential.
Hellenic Republic
The gateway
Greece as a critical entry point for energy security and logistics infrastructure into the wider European market.
United Arab Emirates
The investment hub
The UAE’s sophisticated capital ecosystem, fuelling high-impact digital and green-transition projects.
- Distance
- 3,259 km
- Athens
- 37.98° N, 23.73° E
- Abu Dhabi
- 24.45° N, 54.38° E
The shared working day
Business hours in both capitals, 09:00–18:00 local time, shown on Athens time. The gold band is when both are at work.
Athens--:--
Difference+1 hAbu Dhabi ahead
Abu Dhabi--:--
Hours in common8 h09:00–17:00 Athens
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Principal Areas of Action
The Council develops and coordinates a year-round programme of curated initiatives to strengthen bilateral economic engagement, from its flagship roundtable and ministerial dialogue to sector working groups and an annual outlook report.
Show
Annual UAE–Greece Investment & Business Roundtable
The Council’s flagship convening, held within the framework of the Annual Athens Riviera Summit, one of Greece’s foremost international investment and economic fora.
Participants
Senior government officials, sovereign entities, investors, business leaders and institutional stakeholders from both countries and across the globe.
AnnualAthens Riviera Summit
Informative Events & Interactive Workshops
Expert-led sessions that equip members to act on opportunities in both markets.
Topics
Investment landscapes, economic developments, sectors of interest, regulatory frameworks and incentives, and emerging business and investment opportunities.
Year-roundIn person
Membership-Driven Engagement
Engagement designed around the Council’s members, offering participating companies and institutions a place in the bilateral dialogue.
Includes
Opportunities for visibility, networking and introductions, and participation in bilateral initiatives.
Year-roundMembers
Webinars & Digital Engagement
Digital formats that maintain continuous interaction between members and stakeholders throughout the year.
Purpose
Keeping members connected in-between in-person convenings and sustaining momentum on bilateral priorities.
ContinuousOnline
Annual UAE Ambassador’s Dinner
A closed-door, by-invitation-only dinner held in honor of the Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to the Hellenic Republic.
Participants
Government representatives and senior economic stakeholders who are members of the Council.
FocusInvestment priorities and bilateral cooperation opportunities.
AnnualBy invitation
Roundtables on Official Visits
Roundtables organized on the occasion of official visits by high-level government, institutional, investment and business stakeholders to either country.
Value
Each high-level visit strengthens relationships and shared priorities, in both directions.
On occasionGreece or the UAE
Quarterly Virtual Roundtables
A regular, structured channel between UAE policymakers, institutions and businesses and leading representatives of the Greek private sector.
Participants
The UAE Ministry of Investment and/or Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Council, and Greek private-sector and institutional counterparts.
AgendaInvestment opportunities, economic cooperation and areas of mutual strategic interest.
QuarterlyVirtual, four a year
Support for Investopia Mediterranean
Should Investopia organize Investopia Mediterranean in Athens or elsewhere, the Council would be pleased to support the successful organization of the forum.
Contribution
Support for the forum’s organization and the mobilization of the Council’s network.
On occasionAthens or elsewhere
Sector-Focused Investment Working Groups
Working groups bringing Greek and Emirati decision-makers together around specific sectors.
Mandate
Identify partnership opportunities, address sector-specific priorities and facilitate targeted bilateral investment cooperation.
Year-roundBy sector
Annual UAE–Greece Investment Outlook Report
A strategic reference on the bilateral investment relationship, prepared with the Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Embassy of the UAE to the Hellenic Republic and other key stakeholders.
Covers
Bilateral investment trends, emerging opportunities, priority sectors and the evolving economic relationship.
AnnualPublished report
The year at a glance
How the ten initiatives are spread across the calendar.
Quarterly
- 07Virtual roundtables with UAE ministries
Annual
- 01Investment & Business Roundtable
- 05UAE Ambassador’s Dinner
- 10Investment Outlook Report
Year-round
- 02Events & workshops
- 03Membership engagement
- 04Webinars & digital
- 09Sector working groups
On occasion
- 06Official-visit roundtables
- 08Support for Investopia Mediterranean
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Governance
The Council operates under the auspices of the Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with balanced participation from both countries at every level.
Governing body
Leadership Council
Oversees the Council’s strategic direction, development and long-term priorities. On the Greek side, senior representatives may include institutions such as:
- Enterprise Greece
- SEV – Hellenic Federation of Enterprises
- Hellenic Development Bank of Investments
- Growthfund – The National Fund of Greece
- Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry
- Founding Members from the private sector
Equivalent Emirati participation is designated on the recommendation of the competent Emirati authorities, leading institutions, investment entities and companies.
Implementation
Executive Committee
Coordinates and implements the Council’s activities, working closely with the Leadership Council on stakeholder engagement, membership relations, institutional partnerships, event coordination and the execution of initiatives.
Counsel
Advisory Board
Distinguished figures from Greece and the UAE who contribute strategic insight and institutional guidance, and help identify emerging investment opportunities.
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Membership
Membership of the Council is by invitation. It brings together distinguished stakeholders from the investment, business, institutional and policy communities of both countries who share an interest in UAE–Greece economic cooperation.
The membership experience
Perspectives
Perspectives on investment trends, emerging opportunities and the evolving economic relationship between the two countries.
Connections
Opportunities to meet peers, institutions and decision-makers from Greece and the United Arab Emirates.
Engagement
Participation in the Council’s convenings, roundtables and briefings throughout the year.
Voice
The opportunity to contribute to the Council’s dialogue and to the wider agenda of UAE–Greece cooperation.
How membership works
1
Proposal
Candidates may be proposed by members of the Council’s governing bodies, by the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Greece or by other competent authorities.
2
Review
Proposals are considered by the Council’s leadership.
3
Invitation
Membership is extended by invitation to corporations, investment entities, family offices, institutions and senior business leaders.
Prepare an expression of interestA short note you can send to the Council secretariat+
Your note is ready
Send it to info@athensrivieraforum.com
Nothing is sent from this page. Membership remains by invitation.
Further information on membership is available on request from the Council secretariat.
Membership enquiries
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Inauguration
The Council will be inaugurated with the formal signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on 22 October 2026, within Investopia Global Mediterranean in Athens and under the patronage of Investopia.
Investopia Global Mediterranean brings together senior government officials, institutional investors, sovereign entities, business leaders and key economic stakeholders from the UAE, Greece and the wider Mediterranean region, the international setting in which the Council is formally established.
The ceremony highlights Investopia’s role in connecting investors, markets and business leaders, translating its mission of advancing global investment and economic cooperation into a concrete platform for strengthening UAE–Greece relations and unlocking shared growth opportunities.
22
October 2026
Athens, Greece
Investopia Global Mediterranean
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Contact
Building long-term value and deeper investment, business and financial connectivity between the United Arab Emirates and Greece.
Council secretariat
For membership, partnerships and the inauguration, please write to the secretariat at the Athens Riviera Forum.
info@athensrivieraforum.com