UAE Hosts APAC Annual Meetings To Foster International Accreditation Collaboration

The Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT) is hosting the 2024 Asia-Pacific Accreditation Cooperation (APAC) Annual Meetings in Dubai. The event, themed "Accreditation: Empowering Tomorrow and Shaping the Future," runs until 18th July. Representatives from 65 national accreditation bodies in the Asia-Pacific region and international experts in accreditation and conformity assessment are attending.

By hosting these meetings, the UAE aims to strengthen its position as a hub for quality infrastructure, a crucial element of Operation 300bn. This initiative enhances the industrial ecosystem's attractiveness, fosters innovation, and boosts regional and global competitiveness. It also improves product quality and facilitates trade through unified standards and mutual recognition of conformity assessments.

Omar Al Suwaidi, Under-Secretary of MoIAT, stated, "Hosting the APAC Annual Meetings for the first time in the UAE aligns with the National Strategy for Industry and Advanced Technology, where quality infrastructure is a key pillar for Operation 300bn. The meetings aim to enhance the productivity of the UAE’s industrial sector and deploy best international practices in standards and conformity, boosting efforts to achieve sustainable development and developing an attractive industrial ecosystem."

The event features notable participants including Jennifer Evans, Chair of APAC; Dr. Waleed Alhosani from the Gulf Cooperation Council; Amina Ahmed Mohammed, CEO of EIAC; and Eng. Moteb Al-Mezani, Director General of GAC. These leaders will work on enhancing recognition of conformity assessments between markets to facilitate trade and increase confidence in products among APAC members.

Al Suwaidi highlighted that MoIAT's initiatives like The National In-Country Value program and Make it in the Emirates are fully integrated into the UAE’s quality infrastructure. He noted that industrial exports reached AED187 billion by end of 2023, marking a growth of over 60 percent since 2020 when MoIAT was established. Industrial productivity also rose by 27 percent by end of 2023, making it the second-largest contributor to GDP at AED205 billion.

Interactive Sessions on Innovations

An interactive session titled ‘Shaping the Future: Innovations and Progress in the UAE’ was held to explore how accreditation can prepare for change and enhance local product quality. Moderated by Dr. Qasim Al Shamsi from EIAC, it featured speakers like Dr. Farah Al Zarooni from MoIAT; Major General Khaled Nasser Al Razooqi from Dubai Police; Ghaith Al Suwaidi from Dubai Data Establishment; Mohammed Al Balooshi from Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre; and Samara bin Salem from Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council.

Al Suwaidi also mentioned that MoIAT will continue supporting industrial sector growth through a mature quality infrastructure ecosystem in collaboration with local organisations, federal entities, and private companies. This has earned global recognition by hosting events such as those by International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO).

UAE's High Global Rankings

The UAE ranks first regionally and 11th globally in UNIDO's Quality Infrastructure Sustainable Development Index. This achievement is due to continuous efforts to create regulations exceeding 27,000 standards covering sectors like technology, health, education, agriculture, and future industries. The high ranking is based on five pillars: metrology, legislation, standards, conformity, and accreditation.

The APAC Annual Meetings provide a platform for accreditation bodies to discuss policies, align practices for future plans, and expand Mutual Recognition Arrangements (MRAs) across Asia-Pacific.

The UAE’s commitment to quality infrastructure continues to attract significant industrial investments while encouraging innovation within various sectors.

With inputs from WAM