The U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council hosted a cybersecurity industry reception on Wednesday, May 7 at the Ritz Carlton DIFC hotel in Dubai. This reception took place on the third day of the Business Council’s cybersecurity trade mission to GISEC Global co-organized with the U.S. Department of Commerce and in partnership with the U.A.E. Cybersecurity Council. Representatives from the U.A.E. Cybersecurity Council and U.S. Consul General Robert Raines delivered keynote remarks. Google’s Vice President, Government Affairs and Public Policy for Emerging Markets Doron Avni, discussed Google’s recent partnership announcement with the U.A.E. Cybersecurity Council.

U.S. Consul General Robert Raines spoke of the incredible momentum in the bilateral relationship ahead of President Trump’s visit to the U.A.E. next week.

• The U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council’s U.S. Department of Commerce-certified trade mission to GISEC Global plays an important role in fostering new bilateral partnerships in this sector. 
• Consul General Raines underscored that cybersecurity is the basis for many of the U.A.E.’s economic goals. 
• President Trump’s visit to the U.A.E. will accelerate bilateral partnerships with regard to digital technology and AI.
• President Trump’s visit demonstrates the importance he is placing on the bilateral relationship. 
• The U.A.E.’s $1.4 trillion investment framework into the U.S. presents opportunities to substantially deeopen co-investments.  

Wafi Bin Fadel, Ahmed Al Darmaki, and Ali Al Kindi, representatives of the U.A.E. Cybersecurity Council, underscored the U.A.E.’s proactive efforts in strengthening its cybersecurity sector. They also outlined recent outcomes of the GISEC conference and offered advice to U.S. companies interested in the U.A.E. market. 

• The U.A.E. launched the largest global threat cyber drill at GISEC Global. 
• The U.A.E. works closely with key U.S. technology and defense companies including service providers and hyperscalers. 
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) will play a central role in the strategy, given the U.A.E.’s commitment to harnessing AI to enhance its cybersecurity capabilities. 
• The U.A.E. is open to collaboration with U.S. companies and seeks to deepen engagement through commercial partnerships and joint ventures; this collaboration includes training and development programs. 
• Mr. Al Darmaki noted that the U.A.E. also seeks collaboration on AI governance. 
• The U.A.E. Cybersecurity Council is creating an Advisory Board that will enable private sector feedback on cyber policies and regulations; the U.A.E. welcomes industry input from international partners on the U.A.E.’s cybersecurity strategy. 
• Mr. Al Kindi praised U.S.-U.A.E. collaboration in the broader technology vertical and noted that it is “built on action.”

Google’s Vice President for Government Affairs and Public Policy for Emerging Markets Doron Avni outlined the creation of a Cyber Security Center of Excellence in partnership with the U.A.E. Cybersecurity Council. 

• As part of the new center, Google will make significant investments in advanced cloud capabilities in the U.A.E. 
• This initiative underscores the U.A.E.’s commitment to digital innovation and reinforces its position as the premier regional cybersecurity hub; cyber partnerships like this initiative can help attract foreign direct investment and create 20,000 jobs focused on cybersecurity in the U.A.E. by 2030. 
• Google will help establish training programs and certifications to cultivate a skilled U.A.E. cybersecurity workforce
• Google’s approach to AI is to be “bold” and “responsible” in partnership with industry and civil society. 
• Google’s seeks to invest in autonomous vehicles and scientific breakthroughs such as AlphaFold.

To learn more about the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council’s programming in the cybersecurity sector, please contact Adam Karadsheh at akaradsheh@usuaebusiness.org.