The UAE and Korea…a strategic partnership focusing on energy, defense technology, space, and artificial intelligence

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, may God protect him, and the President of the Republic of Korea, Lee Jae-myung, held a meeting at Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi, last Tuesday, as part of a state visit made by the Korean President to the UAE.

During the meeting, the two sides expressed their appreciation for the rapid growth of cooperation between the two countries in a number of fields, which include energy, construction, infrastructure, trade, investment, defence, defense technology, space and advanced technology, including artificial intelligence, in addition to health and medical services, agriculture, education and exchange between peoples, since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1980.

The two leaders also praised the great development witnessed in bilateral relations, especially after the signing of the Barakah nuclear power plants project with Korean companies in 2009, and the sending of the “Brother” unit to the UAE in 2011.

The two sides also stressed the depth of their friendly relations at the Asian and Middle Eastern levels, based on the special strategic partnership established in 2018.

This is clearly evident through the ongoing bilateral cooperation within existing programs in the space sector, which has extended over two decades, as this cooperation has culminated in recent projects, the most prominent of which is the “Etihad-Sat” radar satellite, which was developed in partnership with the Korean “Satrek Initiative” company in 2025.

Previous achievements, including the launch of the DubaiSat-1 and DubaiSat-2 satellites, reflect joint efforts in developing satellites and exchanging knowledge in a sustainable manner. The Republic of Korea also hosted the environmental tests of the first Emirati satellite, KhalifaSat, which was entirely developed within the UAE. These efforts form pillars of existing cooperation between the two countries in multiple fields, such as monitoring and control in the space sector, “space domain awareness,” and advanced space technologies. And discover it.

Within the framework of solid trust and mutual respect that reflects the values ​​of solidarity, the two sides agreed to strengthen the special strategic partnership between the UAE and the Republic of Korea, and to raise it to new and solid heights, with the aim of building on sustainable and solid relations capable of withstanding international changes, in a way that will bring more goodness, development and prosperity to the two friendly countries and peoples.

In light of the “UAE Centenary 2071”, which represents a national road map aimed at strengthening the UAE’s position among the best countries in the world by the year 2071, the two presidents stressed that the Republic of Korea is a reliable partner with a future vision aimed at supporting the UAE’s march towards achieving its long-term vision.

In this context, the two sides affirmed their commitment to enhancing coordination and integration of efforts between the two countries, in a way that consolidates cooperation and enhances a partnership that extends to the next centenary. The two sides also agreed to consolidate a future cooperation framework that focuses on joint growth and mutual prosperity in strategic and world-leading fields, including the defense sector and defense technology, and advanced and emerging technologies that include artificial and quantum intelligence, nuclear energy, public health, medical care, food security and cultural exchange. They also stressed their commitment to strengthening a partnership based on mutual trust. Common prosperity and harmonization of long-term strategic plans between the two countries.

With the aim of accelerating joint growth and mutual prosperity, the two leaders affirmed their commitment to strengthening a practical and sustainable cooperation mechanism that benefits both sides, including establishing joint platforms for research and development, developing the technology sector, exchanging experiences and knowledge, building supply chains for basic resources, and establishing a cooperative model for production and joint entry into the markets of third countries.

In the field of artificial intelligence and semiconductors, the two countries aim to research projects that work to enhance cooperation and meet strategic needs and capabilities, including joint investment, development and export initiatives, such as establishing and operating data centers for artificial intelligence that rely on strategies for mixing energy sources in the two countries, in addition to projects using artificial intelligence in developing ports at the global level through digital twin technology and physical artificial intelligence.

In addition, the two countries will launch a high-level ministerial dialogue to strengthen cooperation in the field of responsible artificial intelligence governance and cybersecurity, with the aim of enhancing the flexibility of the semiconductor system and developing joint efforts in the field of artificial intelligence.

In the field of civil nuclear energy, the two sides will work to strengthen cooperation in the field of nuclear fuel, maintenance and digital transformation, to enhance the efficiency and stability of the operations of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant. They also affirmed their commitment to establishing a cooperation framework that is mutually beneficial and allows joint entry into global markets by supporting the “Barakah Model.”

In accordance with the objectives of the Comprehensive Strategic Energy Partnership, and based on the outputs of the High-Level Consultation Committee on Nuclear Cooperation, the two sides stressed their commitment to supporting clean energy goals at the global level, contributing to sustainable growth, and developing solutions to reduce carbon emissions, through cooperation in next-generation technologies, and utilizing artificial intelligence tools, with the aim of improving the efficiency of nuclear power plants as a reliable and safe source of energy, and continuing cooperation in the field of training, building workforce capabilities, nuclear security and its systems, and laying the foundations for establishing nuclear energy projects in third countries.

In the field of national defense and defense technology, the two countries will work to develop cooperation in this field, to include joint production, technical development, knowledge transfer, and cooperation in the field of technology and local production.

The two sides also stressed the importance of knowledge exchange and capacity building programs to support sustainable national defense capabilities.

In the field of water, the two sides stressed the increasing importance of this sector within climate action and sustainable development efforts. They also highlighted the pivotal role of the 2026 United Nations Water Conference, which is hosted by the UAE in partnership with Senegal and scheduled to be held in December 2026, to strengthen global efforts in the field of water. The two sides also pointed to the contributions of the two countries in enhancing technology and innovation in the field of water, and expanding the range of solutions in this field, including the UAE’s launch of the Mohammed bin Zayed Water Initiative.

In the field of public health and medical care, and based on the UAE’s position as the largest country in the Middle East in referring patients for treatment to the Republic of Korea, in addition to the work of six Korean medical institutions in the UAE, the two countries will work to encourage the establishment of a center to provide pre- and post-treatment care for patients residing in the UAE, and discuss the establishment of a comprehensive Korean medical complex, to enhance joint research and investments in the fields of medicines, digital medical devices, and regenerative medicine.

The two sides also agreed to expand the scope of comprehensive regulatory cooperation, to include biohealth, cosmetics, medical products supported by artificial intelligence and related research.

In the field of education, the two countries will work to encourage mutual visits, training and talent development programmes, and provide practical training opportunities for young people between major institutions, educational bodies and government bodies, which will contribute to expanding the horizons of exchange between future generations.

In the field of culture and exchange between peoples, the two countries affirmed their commitment to supporting joint efforts to enhance the position of the UAE as a center for cultural exchange, which contributes to consolidating cultural ties between Korea and the Middle East, by building on the growing interest that Korean culture enjoys in the region, and strengthening the position of the UAE as a cultural and tourism center in the Middle East. The two sides also stressed the pivotal role that cultural exchange represents in enhancing mutual understanding, consolidating common values, and strengthening ties between peoples, as the two countries agreed. To continue talks on various initiatives that benefit the citizens of the two countries by enhancing exchange between peoples.

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«Key City UAE»

The Emirati and Korean sides expressed their aspiration to develop innovative projects, such as the “Emirati K-City,” which combines Korean culture and cuisine, innovative businesses and companies, and qualified human resources, which can work to integrate the leading fields and competitive advantages of the two countries, to enhance bilateral cooperation. The two countries also aim to expand into third countries in the Middle East, Africa, and Europe, and with the aim of launching new horizons of bilateral relations between the UAE and the Republic of Korea. The two sides affirmed their commitment to examining opportunities for cooperation by appointing high-level officials, And encourage the exchange of high-level visits between ministries, in a way that enhances strategic cooperation between the two countries, and achieves common interests and progress for their people. High-level officials will communicate closely to exchange developments related to joint bilateral efforts, and convey their results to the leadership of the two countries quickly. In addition to this, the two sides agreed to form a high-level working team in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the UAE and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea, to ensure the implementation of the agreement reached during the meeting, and in light of the bilateral relations between the UAE and the Republic of Korea and their partnership. In the document, the two sides affirmed their commitment to holding constructive talks, with the aim of strengthening dialogue and close cooperation ties in a way that contributes to establishing a solid foundation of peace and prosperity for future generations, stressing that these efforts will contribute to strengthening joint ties. They also agreed to hold meetings on a regular basis, to deepen the special strategic partnership between the UAE and the Republic of Korea.