Today's Edition
Abu Dhabi (ALETIHAD)- The two-day “Strategic Dialogue between the United Arab Emirates and the Republic of Korea: Prospects of Strategic Partnership between the two countries” conference, organised by the UAE embassy in Seoul in partnership with the Trends Research and Consultancy Centre and Aletihad News Centre, resulted in participants recommending that an annual joint forum between the UAE and South Korea be held to identify common priorities and provide recommendations on the best ways to implement initiatives.
The participants emphasised the need to establish joint research and development programmes between the UAE and South Korea, focusing on clean future technologies, including artificial intelligence, biotechnology, space exploration, the fourth industrial revolution, and robotics. They also highlighted the importance of forging a new strategic partnership in advanced industry and technology as a foundation for cooperation in digital transformation policies.
Participants also identified an opportunity to establish an Emirati cultural centre in South Korea to promote Emirati culture, including Arabic art and calligraphy, expanding student exchange programmes, and fostering entrepreneurship among Emirati and Korean youth.
Conference Outcomes
The participants also recommended expanding cooperation in accelerating the energy transition and developing climate technology. They also advocated for increasing the use of voluntary cooperation mechanisms under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, adding that global partnerships should also be expanded based on the UAE-South Korea climate partnership to achieve the goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.
Constructive Ideas
Sheikh Saleh Saif Al-Sharqi, head of the Economic Affairs Department at the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in the Republic of South Korea, delivered the closing remarks of the conference. In his address, he noted that the constructive ideas proposed in terms of economic cooperation, youth, culture, and climate action are fully aligned with the UAE-South Korea special strategic partnership.
He mentioned that outside of cooperation in the fields of energy and defence, the conference participants concluded that further cooperation should focus on important and clean future technologies, as well as cultural exchange and empowering the youth of both countries.
Sheikh Saleh Saif Al-Sharqi noted that the conference also highlighted the importance of implementation and monitoring mechanisms, adding that it is beneficial to consider holding an annual joint forum that offers recommendations on implementing shared initiatives. The conference highlighted the importance of cooperation in smart agriculture projects to reduce reliance on food imports and achieve food security and sustainability.
Shared Vision
The second day of the conference featured two main sessions. The first addressed COP28 and the importance of enhancing cooperation between the UAE and the Republic of Korea in the field of climate action. The second outlined general features and recommendations for a future roadmap on how to enhance the UAE-Korean strategic partnership.
Hamad Al-Kaabi, Editor-in-Chief of Aletihad newspaper and Director of Aletihad News Centre, delivered the keynote speech on the second day of the conference, in which affirmed that the UAE and South Korea share a cultural vision centred around pride in national values and identity, and preserving cultural heritage, while at the same time, being open to the world in the spirit of cooperation and partnership.
Al-Kaabi pointed out that development, excellence, and positive communication with the world are commonalities between the UAE and South Korea, adding that their growing bilateral relations have achieved major accomplishments in all fields.
Climate Action
Following Al-Kaabi’s keynote address, the first session commenced, moderated by Sumaya Al-Hadhrami, Deputy Head of the Global Sector at the TRENDS Research and Advisory Centre. During the session, Dr. Salem Al-Zahmi, Deputy Dean of the College of Engineering and Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Petroleum at the United Arab Emirates University, discussed COP28 and the UAE’s vision for enhancing international climate action.
He indicated that climate action occupies a pivotal position in all the efforts made by the UAE leadership, adding that the UAE believes that if the world can unify its efforts now to halt climate change, it will succeed in building a better and safer world for everyone everywhere.
Al-Zahmi explained that the UAE possesses the capabilities to become a leading country in clean energy and can offer its expertise in renewable energy to its neighbouring regions, supplying them with its surplus electric power. The UAE’s vision isn’t exclusive to itself but is a vision for the entire world, he added, noting that through global collaboration, this vision can be translated into a reality to enhance health, sustainability, and resilience for all of humanity.
Carbon Neutrality
During the second session, Seon Ji, the Director of the Global Development Cooperation Team at the Climate Change Centre in South Korea, confirmed that the South Korean government, in April of this year, reviewed its carbon neutrality plan to achieve its nationally determined contributions.
Ji added that more efforts should be exerted to expand international partnerships to enhance carbon emission reduction activities, adding that the Presidential Committee for Carbon-Neutral Green Growth and the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy will establish a platform to exchange opinions with other governments, academic communities, and the private sector under the slogan “Expanding Global Partnerships”. He emphasised the need to continue cooperation between the UAE and South Korea, especially in the energy transition and climate technology.
Round Table
The second session transformed into a round table, moderated by Ahmed Alyamahi, a media professional and programme presenter on Abu Dhabi TV, in which participants shared their thoughts and opinions to outline a roadmap for the future of the strategic partnership.
