Today's Edition
MOHAMMAD GHAZAL (BRUSSELS)
The UAE is a country that works for promoting peace and NATO is keen on cooperation with Abu Dhabi in the field of AI due to its noticeable leadership in the sector, Javier Colomina, NATO Secretary General's Special Representative for the Southern Neighbourhood and Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs and Security Policy, told Aletihad.
The UAE continues to make significant strides in technological advancements and NATO is keen on strengthening its collaboration with the UAE, Colomina said in an exclusive interview with Aletihad on the sidelines of the NATO Foreign Ministers meeting in Brussels, where he commended Abu Dhabi's role in promoting peace and security on the global stage.
"The relation that we have with the UAE is a long-standing partnership in fostering peace and regional stability," Colomina said.
"The UAE is a country that works for promoting peace…The UAE is an active security provider," he added, stressing that there is room for increased cooperation.
"We believe there is untapped potential for more to be done. We believe more can be done in terms of political dialogue and in terms of practical cooperation," he continued.
NATO is particularly keen on cooperating with the UAE in the field of AI, recognising the country's advancements and its potential for collaboration in areas such as the Science for Peace and Security (SPS) Programme.
"We are well aware that the UAE is a front-runner in terms of AI," Colomina said, adding that "Abu Dhabi in particular is a hub for AI that NATO has very much in mind."
"We see lots of opportunities for cooperation with AI in Abu Dhabi, including in the Science for Peace Programme," he said, stressing that the UAE's technological expertise and advancements make it an ideal partner for the SPS.
The programme promotes dialogue and practical cooperation based on scientific research, technological innovation, and knowledge exchange. The SPS includes initiatives in areas such as cyber defence, counter-terrorism, and advanced technologies like AI and autonomy.
The cooperation between NATO and its Gulf partners, including the UAE, is set to grow even stronger.
The top NATO official said that this year marks the 20th anniversary of the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative (ICI), launched in 2004, that includes the UAE and aims to contribute to long-term global and regional security.
Stressing that there is potential and keenness for more collaboration, he said there are several areas for increased cooperation with the UAE and ICI partners, including energy security, maritime security, climate change, cyber security, counter-terrorism, and other areas where the UAE has shown keen interest in.
He referred to NATO's Southern Neighbourhood Action Plan, adopted by NATO leaders at their Washington Summit in July 2024, for a stronger, more strategic and result-oriented approach towards the region. He said the newly adopted action plan for NATO's engagement is ambitious. It includes four key aspects: political dialogue, practical cooperation, increased visibility, and work with international and regional organisations.
"I am looking forward to strengthening the ties with the UAE and partners in the south," Colomina said. "And this action should be a game changer in terms of how we increase engagement with our partners and increase our political dialogue."
