UAE Delegation Strengthens Innovation Ties with the Netherlands and Belgium

UAE Strengthens Innovation Ties with the Netherlands and Belgium

UAE Delegation Strengthens Innovation Ties with the Netherlands and Belgium

A high-level UAE delegation, led by H.E. Omran Sharaf, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Advanced Science and Technology, concluded a successful visit to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, followed by strategic meetings at imec headquarters in Belgium. The mission aimed to boost bilateral cooperation in advanced and emerging technologies, as well as research, development, and innovation.

The visit reflects the UAE's ongoing commitment to deepening international partnerships in priority technology sectors. During the trip, the delegation explored opportunities for collaboration in areas such as artificial intelligence, space technologies, health tech, water research, and semiconductors.

In the Netherlands, the UAE delegation was accompanied by H.E. Jamal Al Musharakh, UAE Ambassador to the Netherlands, and held high-level discussions with senior Dutch officials, including H.E. Michel Suijs, Deputy Director-General for Foreign Economic Relations; H.E. Ernest Noorman, Cyber and Security Ambassador; Mr. Erwin Nijsse, Director General for Business and Innovation at the Ministry of Economic Affairs; and Mr. Harm van de Wetering, Director of the Netherlands Space Office.

The delegation also participated in a roundtable dialogue on technology and innovation with prominent Dutch institutions working in advanced and emerging technologies. Site visits included leading research and academic entities such as TNO (Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research), Deltares, ASML, and Eindhoven University of Technology. Discussions focused on collaborative research in applied sciences, water technology, semiconductors, and academic-industrial synergies.

The visit concluded in Belgium with a tour of imec's headquarters and laboratories—one of the world's leading independent research centers in microelectronics and digital technology innovation. There, the delegation engaged with experts on future collaboration in R&D.

The UAE delegation included representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, EDGE Group, Dubai Future Foundation, MGX, G42, and the Technology Innovation Institute (TII), demonstrating the breadth of national interest in global tech partnerships.

This mission is a clear reflection of the UAE’s strategy to position itself as a global hub for scientific excellence and advanced technology through deep, strategic cooperation with global innovation leaders.