Research cooperation between Abu Dhabi Customs and the CERT Center to promote projects based on artificial intelligence

Abu Dhabi Customs and the Center of Excellence for Applied Research and Training (CERT) have concluded a memorandum of understanding, aiming to enhance research and development in innovative projects based on artificial intelligence, build national capabilities and empower competencies in future fields, in line with the UAE Strategy for Artificial Intelligence 2031.

The memorandum was signed on behalf of Abu Dhabi Customs, at its headquarters, by the Executive Director of the Operations Sector, Mubarak Matar Al Mansouri, while it was signed by the General Director of the Center, Khaled Al Hammadi, on behalf of SERT.

The memorandum is based on enhancing areas of joint cooperation and exchanging experiences, implementing projects aimed at supporting scientific research and development in customs specializations and fields related to artificial intelligence, preparing studies, research, innovative projects and laboratories, anticipating the future and drawing up future scenarios, in a way that contributes to enhancing the country’s economic growth process, and consolidates the UAE’s position as a regional center for innovation and advanced technology.

It also includes developing a comprehensive framework for implementing job training and skills development programs, as well as organizing events, workshops and joint initiatives, which contribute to developing an advanced innovative environment that supports Abu Dhabi Customs’ efforts in applying the latest technologies and innovative solutions.

Mubarak Matar Al Mansouri, Executive Director of the Operations Sector, said that the memorandum represents an important strategic step within the priorities of Abu Dhabi Customs towards enhancing innovation in the customs sector, accelerating the adoption of smart technologies, and raising national capabilities in the fields of artificial intelligence within an advanced and innovative work environment. He stressed that this cooperation will contribute to developing institutional capabilities to facilitate the movement of trade and provide smart and sustainable customs services, in a way that enhances the process of economic growth and keeps pace with the Abu Dhabi government’s goals of being the first leading government in the world in the field of artificial intelligence.

For his part, Director General of the SIERT Center, Khalid Al Hammadi, confirmed that this partnership represents a qualitative strategic milestone that contributes to accelerating the transformation of research outputs into practical solutions with a tangible impact. He pointed out that the Center works, based on its expertise in the fields of applied research and capacity building, and in accordance with global best practices and approved international standards, to enable entities to adopt innovative applications that enhance performance efficiency and keep pace with the development of advanced technologies. It also continues its role in empowering government agencies in a way that supports the Abu Dhabi government’s goals of being at the forefront of global governments in the field of artificial intelligence.