Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was invited on Monday to attend the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Dubai, scheduled to run from November 30 until December 12.
It would be his first official visit to the United Arab Emirates.
An invitation was also extended to Israeli President Isaac Herzog.
UAE Ambassador to Israel Mohamed Mahmoud Al Khaja delivered the formal invitations in separate meetings with Netanyahu and Herzog in Jerusalem.
השגריר @AmbAlKhaja מסר מכתב מטעם נשיא #UAE הוד מעלתו השייח' @MohamedBinZayed, וסגן הנשיא וראש ממשלת #UAE הוד מעלתו השייח' מוחמד בן ראשד אאל מכתום @HHShkMohd, לנשיא מדינת ישראל @Isaac_Herzog ולרוה"מ @netanyahu המזמין אותם להשתתף בוועידת האקלים #COP28, שתיערך בדובאי בנובמבר הקרוב. pic.twitter.com/H5amjaHu5s
— UAE Embassy in Israel (@UAEinIsrael) May 22, 2023
The letters were signed by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and UAE Vice-President and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
Some 70,000 participants are expected to gather in Expo City Dubai for the summit, including a large Israeli delegation of around 100 companies.
Netanyahu was scheduled to visit the UAE earlier this year, but that trip was postponed.
Israel signed a free trade agreement with the UAE on May 31, 2022, and on March 26, 2023 the two countries inked a customs deal that paves the way for the free-trade agreement to enter into force.
“The taking effect of the free-trade agreement is important news for the Israeli economy, for the strengthening of ties with the UAE and is further testament to the importance of the Abraham Accords,” Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen said at the time.
