Partnership seeks to build talent and AI capabilities and support the development of AI-related products and services
The UAE and Cyprus recently announced that they entered a strategic partnership to strengthen cooperation in digital areas, exchange best practices in artificial intelligence, enhance shared visions and drive the growth of the digital economy sectors while improving the community’s well-being.
The partnership agreement was signed by Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications, and Vice Chair of the World Governments Summit, along with Dr. Nikodimos Damianou, Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation, and Digital Policy of the Republic of Cyprus, at the World Governments Summit 2025.
Partnership to facilitate joint research projects in AI
Al Olama stated that the UAE continues to build global bridges of collaboration, fostering the exchange of expertise, accelerating digital innovation and driving a transformative leap in the field of artificial intelligence.
He added that the international partnerships forged during the World Governments Summit embody the summit’s goals and vision of enhancing global cooperation. These partnerships also reflect the UAE’s position as a global hub for innovation in artificial intelligence, and contribute to knowledge sharing, development acceleration and supporting the building of a sustainable future based on advanced technology.
Building talent and AI capabilities
Commenting on the partnership between the Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications Office in the UAE government and the Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy of the Republic of Cyprus, Damiano noted that the partnership seeks to build talent and AI capabilities and support the development of AI-related products and services.
“The partnership agreement aims to exchange best practices in policies related to artificial intelligence and technologies in this field, identify and facilitate joint research projects in artificial intelligence, in addition to fostering planning and enhancing collaboration among academic institutes, including research institutes and universities with a focus on AI,” he added.
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UAE and Cyprus strengthen ties in key sectors
Cooperation between the UAE and Cyprus is longstanding, dating back to the 1960s. In September last year, the presidents of both nations met in Abu Dhabi to discuss bilateral cooperation and explore opportunities to strengthen strategic relations, particularly in the economic and developmental sectors.
During the meeting, both sides reviewed UAE-Cyprus relations and joint efforts to advance ties, especially in the fields of economy, trade, investment, energy and other areas that benefit the peoples of both countries.
According to statistics by the UAE Ministry of Economy, the total trade volume between the two countries in 2018 amounted to $121 million, of which the direct trade was $65.7 million and the Free Zone trade was $55.3 million. Imports in 2018 amounted to $28.6 million; non-oil exports $27.5 million and re-exports $65 million. The non-oil trade growth and balance amounted to approximately $64 million.