UAE And Bhutan Collaborate On 'AI For Development' Initiative To Boost Economic Growth In Global South

The United Arab Emirates and Bhutan, alongside the Eurasia Group and G42, hosted a significant workshop in Thimphu. The event, named "AI for Development," aimed to explore artificial intelligence's role in fostering inclusive growth. Attendees included policymakers and technical experts who sought innovative AI solutions for local challenges. This initiative aligns with the UAE's foreign policy of promoting technological diplomacy and impactful partnerships, especially within the Global South.

Tshering Tobgay, Bhutan's Prime Minister, and Lyonpo D.N. Dhungyel, Foreign Minister, attended the workshop. It began with the traditional Marchang Ceremony, highlighting Bhutan's rich cultural heritage. The gathering emphasized identifying creative AI applications that can be implemented locally to drive development.

Participants concentrated on three main areas: entrepreneurship enhancement, regenerative tourism promotion, and agricultural productivity improvement. These focus areas align with Bhutan’s national goals and key UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The workshop provided a platform for strategic dialogue and knowledge exchange between Bhutan and the UAE.

Omran Sharaf led the UAE delegation as Assistant Minister for Advanced Science and Technology. He stated, "This initiative underscores the UAE’s commitment to technological diplomacy through harnessing AI and technology for global development. Bhutan’s agility and forward-looking digital transformation, together with the UAE’s technical expertise and strategic vision, create a natural synergy."

Dr. Abdulnasser Alshaali, UAE Non-resident Ambassador to Bhutan, highlighted the partnership's significance: "The UAE is proud to partner with Bhutan in navigating pioneering, scalable tech solutions from entrepreneurship to agriculture." This collaboration aims to advance UN SDGs and foster inclusive growth across the Global South.

Bhutan was chosen as the first pilot country due to its dedication to innovation and exploring cost-effective technology solutions for economic growth. The workshop marked a step towards meaningful collaborations between both nations in shaping a responsible AI future.

High-Level Engagements

The UAE delegation had an audience with His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck of Bhutan during the workshop. His Majesty praised the UAE's efforts in advanced technology and space sectors. He acknowledged the workshop's potential for further cooperation in these fields.

Jigme Tenzing from GovTech Agency in Bhutan remarked on AI's transformative potential: "While AI offers remarkable conveniences, its true potential lies in driving transformative solutions that deliver meaningful and inclusive impact." He emphasized that this workshop was an opportunity to explore how AI can accelerate socio-economic transformation aligned with national values.

UAE's Role as a Strategic Partner

The success of this workshop highlights the UAE’s growing role as a strategic partner to the Global South. The nation champions collaborative approaches to frontier technologies and capacity building. The UAE delegation included Omran Sharaf; Dr. Abdulnasser Alshaali; Muath Alwari; Policy Planning Director; representatives from MoFA; and G42.

This initiative reflects great opportunities for further cooperation between participating entities in advanced technology fields. It underscores both nations' commitment to leveraging AI for sustainable development while respecting cultural values.

With inputs from WAM