A delegation from UAE, led by Omran Sharaf, Assistant Foreign Minister for Advanced Science and Technology, has concluded a high-level visit to the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Belgium, aiming to enhancing bilateral cooperation in research, development, and advanced technologies.
The visit comes as a part of the UAE’s strategic commitment to international collaboration in critical and emerging technologies, focused on establishing partnerships in R&D, innovation, artificial intelligence, health tech, and space technologies.
In the Netherlands, the delegation engaged with senior Dutch officials, including Michiel Sweers, Vice Minister for Foreign Economic Relations; Ernst Noorman, Ambassador-at-Large for Cyber Affairs; Erwin Nijsse, Director-General of Business Policy and Innovation at the Ministry of Economic Affairs; and Harm van de Wetering, Director of the Netherlands Space Office.
Ameirah AlHefeiti, UAE Ambassador to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, accompanied the delegation during its meetings and visits. Key highlights included a technology and innovation roundtable session featuring top Dutch entities, where discussions centered on emerging technology trends, scientific research, and opportunities for joint initiatives.
The delegation also visited prominent Dutch institutions such as TNO, Deltares, ASML, and Eindhoven University of Technology. These engagements focused on exploring cooperation in applied research, water technologies, semiconductor development, and academic-industry partnerships.
Following the Netherlands visit, the delegation traveled to Belgium, where it toured imec’s headquarters in Brussels. Imec is a globally recognized independent research and innovation hub specializing in nanoelectronics and digital technologies. The visit underscores the UAE’s ongoing efforts to build strong international collaborations in science and technology and to support its national agenda for innovation and economic diversification.
The UAE delegation included Nouf Al Hameli, Science and Technology Adviser at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, along with representatives from key UAE organizations such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, EDGE Group, Dubai Future Foundation, MGX, G42, and the Technology Innovation Institute (TII), the research arm of the Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC).
