AI, defense, clean energy top the agenda for discussions during Al Nahyan’s visit to the US: UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s meeting with US President Joe Biden at the White House yesterday saw the two leaders pledge to deepen cooperation in AI, defense, space exploration, and the cyberspace, according to a statement issued following the visit. The two heads of state also discussed regional wars, the clean energy transition, and boosting investments in infrastructure and critical minerals supply chains in Africa.

AI-

The two leaders signed off on an AI framework of cooperation that will see them work on regulatory frameworks for AI, promote AI research and development, deepen cybersecurity, and support AI for sustainable development in developing countries, state news agency Wam reports separately.

REMEMBER- State-owned AI firm G42 started receiving AI chips from US chipmaker Nvidia after the US government greenlit the exports earlier this year, getting the ball rolling on a wider partnership between the two countries. This came under Microsoft's USD 1.5 bn investment in G42 in April. 

DEFENSE-

The UAE was designated a major defense partner to the US — a designation only handed so far to India — to boost defense in the Middle East, East Africa, and the Indian Ocean region, and to boost cooperation between the three countries in the form of joint training and exercise, the statement said.

The two countries will also be exploring potential investments in the US’ defense systems, it added.

SUPPLY CHAINS-

Biden and Al Nahyan also vowed to continue to work with international partners on facilitating supply chain links that can see smoother trade and manufacturing flows, food security, and boost clean energy exports, the statement said. They also agreed to invest in hard infrastructure and critical minerals-supply chains in Africa and emerging markets, with the aim of developing a supply chain for essential components to clean energy and advanced technologies, including batteries, wind turbines, semiconductors, and electric vehicles.

CLEAN ENERGY-

UAE-based Averi Finance and Amea Power have joined the US-led Power Africa Initiative as private sector partners, with Averi pledging to facilitate USD 5 bn in investments to build 3 GW of power generation projects, construct over 3k km of distribution, and reduce 90 mn tons of CO2, the statement said.

Background: Amea Power is also working on facilitating USD 5 bn in capital to develop 5 GW of renewable energy capacity in Africa by 2030.

ALSO FROM THE VISIT- Al Nahyan met with Vice President Kamala Harris to discuss future cooperation in the economy, trade, tech, energy, and climate action sectors, Wam reported.

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