UAE advances strategic technology partnership with United States
Senior delegation led by Assistant Foreign Minister Omran Sharaf engages with American government, research and industry leaders to strengthen cooperation in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and quantum computing
A high-level United Arab Emirates delegation has undertaken a comprehensive visit to Washington, DC, to advance technological cooperation with the United States across multiple strategic domains. Led by Omran Sharaf, Assistant Foreign Minister for Advanced Science and Technology, the mission brought together key figures from the UAE’s innovation ecosystem to engage with senior American government officials, leading research institutions and technology enterprises.
The delegation’s composition reflected the breadth of the UAE’s technological ambitions, including Dr. Mohamed Al Kuwaiti, Head of the UAE Government Cybersecurity Council, and Dr. Mohamed Alkhemairi, Executive Director of the Research and Development Ecosystem at the Advanced Technology Research Council. Representatives from the UAE Space Agency and Space42 accompanied the mission, underscoring the shared focus on space-based technologies and emerging capabilities.
Mr Sharaf’s engagement with Michael Kratsios, Assistant to the President and Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, centred on identifying collaborative opportunities whilst exchanging perspectives on the rapidly evolving technological landscape. Parallel discussions with Jacob Helberg, Undersecretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment, and Adam Cassady, Ambassador-at-Large for Cyberspace and Digital Policy, addressed prospects for deepening cooperation in artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, cybersecurity and trusted digital infrastructure. These conversations also explored enhanced information-sharing mechanisms and preparedness frameworks for emerging technologies, particularly post-quantum cryptography.
Engagement with the US Department of Commerce proved particularly significant, with discussions focusing on strengthening bilateral trade and technology cooperation. The meetings acknowledged the recent elevation of the UAE to Country Group A:5 status under the Export Administration Regulations, a designation that reflects the depth of trust between the two nations and facilitates enhanced technology exchange.
The delegation’s schedule encompassed meetings with influential American institutions including the Hudson Institute, the Center for Strategic and International Studies, and Johns Hopkins University, where Mr Sharaf participated in a discussion examining how emerging technologies are reshaping international relations and global economic structures. Engagement with the private sector included dialogue with leading organisations such as IonQ, a quantum computing enterprise, and participation with the US-UAE Business Council and the Software & Information Industry Association.
Throughout the visit, Mr Sharaf emphasised the UAE’s commitment to establishing itself as an open, responsible and trusted technology partner on the global stage. He underscored the importance of sustained dialogue and coordination between governments, research institutions and commercial entities, recognising that transforming technological opportunities into tangible, sustainable outcomes requires collaborative endeavour across all sectors and boundaries.
Source: WAM