Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Bowardi, UAE Minister of State for Defence Affairs, and Faisal Abdulaziz Al Bannai, Secretary-General of the Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC), signed a cooperation agreement between their entities, in the presence of Mattar Salem Al Dhaheri, Under-Secretary at the Ministry of Defence, and several officers and officials from the Ministry.

The agreement aims to support national facilities and companies and give them priority in the purchasing of armed forces-related products, as well as to promote joint cooperation and develop bilateral relations in various areas, especially in advanced technological research, in addition to exchanging expertise in the use of modern technologies and artificial intelligence, UAE national news agency WAM reported.

ATRC’s purpose is to establish a vibrant research and development ecosystem that positions Abu Dhabi and the wider UAE as a key player in advanced technology, and to support the country’s transformation into a knowledge-based economy.

ATRC is responsible for defining Abu Dhabi’s research strategy across academia and industry, consolidating and facilitating efficient investment funding, and driving policy and regulation for agile decision-making.