UAE Cabinet Re-establishes Emirates Research And Development Council To Boost National R&D Strategy

The UAE Cabinet has restructured the Emirates Research and Development Council (ERDC), led by H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan. This move highlights the UAE's commitment to becoming a global leader in research and development. The Council unites ministers, private-sector leaders, and top academic institutions to drive this vision forward.

Under its new mandate, the ERDC will set research priorities for the UAE. It will create a unified policy framework for funding, ethics, regulations, and governance. This ensures that R&D efforts across government, academia, and private sectors align with the nation's economic diversification goals and the UAE Centennial 2071 vision.

The Council will manage federal funding streams and advise on tax incentives related to R&D. It aims to attract world-class research talent through regulations and policies. Additionally, it will assess the UAE's performance against key global innovation benchmarks to ensure competitiveness.

By fostering collaboration among public and private stakeholders, the ERDC seeks to accelerate breakthrough R&D. It aims to translate these advancements into solutions that have a meaningful impact on society. Strengthening ties with international partners is also a priority for achieving these goals.

The newly formed Council includes 18 distinguished members. Faisal Abdulaziz Al Bannai serves as Secretary-General of the ERDC while continuing his role at Abu Dhabi’s Advanced Technology Research Council. Members include Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Sarah bint Yousef Al Amiri, Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, among others.

Their expertise spans various fields such as government policy, advanced industry, finance, artificial intelligence, energy, health sciences, and education. These disciplines are crucial for building a future-ready economy in the UAE.

Strategic Vision

H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan commented on the Cabinet decision: "The reconstitution of the Council underscores the UAE’s resolve to build an integrated, high-impact R&D ecosystem that accelerates economic diversification." He emphasized aligning resources under one platform to enhance societal and economic benefits from science and technology.

Faisal Al Bannai added that the revamped remit turns national ambition into action by creating a single alignment gateway for federal R&D programmes. This synchronizes regulations across sectors and fosters collaboration between public and private stakeholders.

A Global Leader in R&D

The ERDC serves as the apex body directing national R&D strategy in the UAE. By guiding a coordinated approach, it strengthens the country's role in global R&D efforts. The focus is on fostering collaborations, refining policy, and encouraging innovation both domestically and internationally.

This strategic direction positions the UAE as a leading testbed for deep-tech innovation while attracting high-value investments. Through these efforts, the nation aims to contribute meaningfully at home and abroad in advancing research and development initiatives.

With inputs from WAM