Alberta’s Premier, Danielle Smith will travel to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates from Oct. 27 to Nov. 5 to promote Alberta as a global leader in responsible energy production and competitive destination for investment in energy, technology, agriculture and manufacturing.

While in Saudi Arabia, Premier Danielle Smith will meet with government leaders in the energy and health sectors and leaders managing sovereign wealth investments, as well as the oil industry, including executives from Saudi Aramco, one of the largest oil companies in the world. In the energy meetings, the Premier will showcase how Alberta’s traditional and emerging energy resources, emissions-management expertise and technology leadership can help drive can drive energy security and reliability in global markets. The Premier will also promote Alberta as a competitive destination for investment across a range of sectors.

The Premier will travel to the United Arab Emirates to join Alberta’s Minister of Jobs, Economy, Trade and Immigration, Joseph Schow and a delegation of Alberta companies participating in the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (ADIPEC) 2025, the world’s largest energy industry event. Alberta’s presence provides an opportunity to reinforce the province’s role in global energy security and highlight the strength of Alberta’s private-sector partnerships.

“Alberta and our partners in the Middle East share a spirit of ambition and innovation. We’ve been working to deepen engagement across the region and are taking the next step by opening our new international office in Abu Dhabi. This mission is about building bridges and showcasing everything Alberta has to offer. By working together in areas like energy, technology, agriculture and trade, we can create opportunities that strengthen our economies and improve the lives of people in both regions. When it comes to Alberta, there truly is power in partnership.”

Danielle Smith, Premier

During the mission, Premier Smith will join the Canadian Business Council Abu Dhabi reception to announce the opening of Alberta’s new trade office in Abu Dhabi. She will also participate in several roundtables and bilateral meetings with investors and government officials to promote opportunities across multiple sectors, including food security, health innovation, digital technologies and artificial intelligence.

These roundtables include:

  • OPEC Leadership Roundtable: Collaboration, Diversification, and Innovation: Securing Global Oil Market Stability
  • Fireside Chat – Energy Talk: Canada’s Role in Reliable and Responsible Energy
  • ADIPEC Ministerial Leadership Roundtable: Strengthening Energy Security and Resilience Through Diversification
  • ADIPEC Leadership Roundtable: Natural Gas and LNG: Navigating Market Volatility and Supply Security Risks
  • Canada-UAE Business Council Roundtable

Mission expenses will be posted on the travel and expense disclosure page.

Quick facts

  • The Middle East is a priority market for expanding Alberta’s trade and investment ties, not only in the oil and gas sector, carbon capture, utilization and storage and hydrogen and emission reductions, but also in agriculture and agri-food, data centres and life sciences.
  • Alberta’s exports to the Middle East totalled $700.8 million in 2024.
    • Top exports to the Middle East included manufactured products (machinery/appliances, $400.1 million) and agriculture and agri-food (primarily oil seeds and wheat, $257.9 million).
    • The UAE and Saudi Arabia are ranked as the first- and second-largest export markets for Alberta companies in the Middle East respectively.
  • Middle East-based companies and sovereign wealth funds offer significant pools of capital for potential investment into Alberta, particularly in energy, innovation and logistics.
    • The Gulf Cooperation Council has more than $10 billion invested in Alberta. 

Itinerary for Premier Smith*

Oct. 27 to 28
  • Travel to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Oct. 29 to 31
  • Meet and participate in programming organized by Saudi Arabian government officials.
  • Meet with Saudi Aramco oil and gas executives.
  • Visit Shaybah oil production facility.
  • Travel to Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Nov. 1 to 2 (UAE weekend)
  • Meet with the Ambassador of Canada to the UAE.
  • Meet with and participate in programming organized by UAE government officials.

Nov. 3
  • Join investors, private sector leaders and government officials in meetings, sessions and roundtables at ADIPEC.
  • Deliver an energy talk on Canada’s role in reliable and responsible energy.
  • Speak at a reception hosted by the Canadian Business Council in Abu Dhabi.

Nov. 4
  • Join investors, private sector leaders and government officials in meetings, sessions and roundtables at ADIPEC.
  • Meet with oil executives from ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company).

Nov. 5
  • Travel to Alberta.

*Subject to change.

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