Abu Dhabi: UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has received the Honorable Doug Burgum, Secretary of the United States Department of the Interior and Chairman of the National Energy Dominance Council, who is in the UAE to attend the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (ADIPEC 2025), taking place from November 3 to 6.
The meeting, held at Qasr Al Shati in Abu Dhabi, highlighted the growing strategic partnership between the UAE and the United States, with a focus on energy, artificial intelligence, and innovation. Both sides discussed ways to enhance bilateral cooperation to support mutual interests and future-focused development.
MoU signed to advance energy and AI collaboration
During the meeting, His Highness witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the UAE and the United States to accelerate cooperation in energy and artificial intelligence, aimed at driving industrial transformation and economic growth.
The MoU was signed by Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Managing Director and Group CEO of ADNOC, on behalf of the UAE, and Secretary Doug Burgum on behalf of the United States.
Dr. Sultan Al Jaber said the agreement reflects the UAE’s commitment to building impactful global partnerships and advancing technological progress. Sultan Al Jaber stressed that the collaboration underscores the shared vision of both nations to create smarter, more resilient energy systems capable of meeting the demands of the AI era, while supporting sustainable development, industrial innovation, and economic resilience.
Sultan Al Jaber added that the partnership will help boost high-tech manufacturing, strengthen supply chains, and support the objectives of the ‘Make it in the Emirates’ initiative.
Secretary Burgum noted that, under President Donald Trump’s leadership, the United States is leveraging artificial intelligence to modernize energy infrastructure, enhance production, and secure national economic interests. Burgum emphasized that this collaboration reflects the strong commitment between both countries and will position the UAE and the US as global leaders in energy and technology innovation.
Key areas of cooperation
Under the MoU, the UAE and US will collaborate across several vital areas, including:
- Development of advanced industrial capabilities
- Adoption of smart manufacturing and AI-driven technologies
- Enhancing energy efficiency, smart grid management, and energy storage
- AI applications in robotics, materials engineering, and automation
- Technical research cooperation, knowledge exchange, and specialized training programs
The partnership supports the UAE’s National Strategy for Industry and Advanced Technology and its ambition to become a global hub for innovation, advanced manufacturing, and sustainable industry.
Attendees
The meeting was attended by HH Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Development and Fallen Heroes’ Affairs; Sheikh Mohamed bin Hamad bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Adviser to the UAE President; Dr. Ahmed Mubarak Al Mazrouei, Chairman of the Office of Strategic Affairs at the Presidential Court and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Office; Yousef Al Otaiba, UAE Ambassador to the United States; and several senior officials, alongside the accompanying US delegation.
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