The second round of negotiations for the Japan-United Arab Emirates (UAE) Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) took place from February 24 to 26 in Dubai, UAE.

This announcement was made by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan on  26 February 2025.

Representing Japan were Mr. TAKAHASHI Katsuhiko, Ambassador for International Economic Affairs and Chief Negotiator, along with officials from various ministries. The UAE delegation was led by HE Juma Al Kait, Assistant Undersecretary for International Trade Affairs and Chief Negotiator, accompanied by representatives from relevant ministries.

The discussions covered several key areas, including the modalities of negotiations, General Provisions, Trade in Goods, Rules of Origin, Trade in Services, Investment, Intellectual Property, and Customs Procedures and Trade Facilitation.

Both parties agreed to coordinate through diplomatic channels to set the dates for the third round of negotiations.

Earlier, Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that it has launched negotiations with Japan for a comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA) on 18 September 2024.