Technology

Economic Integration Committee virtual meeting. (Image source: UAE Ministry of Economy)

The UAE Economic Integration Committee, led by H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy, convened its first meeting for 2025, with participation from H.E. Alia Bint Abdulla Al Mazrouei, Minister of State for Entrepreneurship, and local economic department directors.

The meeting reviewed 2024’s achievements, including significant contributions to legislative reforms, economic diversification, and enhancing the country’s business and investment climate.

The UAE’s economic performance in 2024 showcased progress in innovation-led growth. Non-oil GDP grew by 4.4% during H1 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, with non-oil sectors contributing 75% of the GDP by mid-year. These achievements underscore the Committee’s role in fostering collaboration between federal and local entities to harmonise economic legislation and align policies with global standards.

IP laws

Key accomplishments include the development of five new laws and four economic policies targeting critical sectors such as consumer rights, corporate governance, cooperatives, and anti-money laundering (AML). Initiatives to enhance intellectual property (IP) protection and support family businesses were also highlighted, contributing to the UAE’s global competitiveness.

In 2024, the Committee established seven task forces to enhance economic cooperation, implemented 79 recommendations—over 98% of which were successfully executed—and supported the UAE’s removal from the Financial Action Taskforce (FATF) grey list by strengthening AML measures.

Looking ahead, the Committee plans to further develop the IP ecosystem through initiatives such as ‘Instablock’ for copyright protection and ‘IP Finance’ to help startups access funding using intangible assets. These efforts aim to position the UAE as a leader in innovation, supporting the ‘We the UAE 2031’ vision and bolstering its knowledge economy and emerging sectors.

Huawei and Emirates Esports Federation unite to drive innovation, support local talent, and enhance mobile gaming in the region. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

HUAWEI AppGallery and the Emirates Esports Federation (EESF) have partnered, aiming to foster innovation and growth within the esports and mobile gaming sectors across the region

The partnership will combine Huawei’s technological prowess and global reach with EESF’s expertise in esports governance and advocacy. Together, they will focus on nurturing local talent, creating new opportunities for gamers and developers, and further positioning esports as both a cultural and economic powerhouse in the region.

William Hu, managing director of Huawei consumer business group, Middle East and Africa Eco Development and Operation, commented, “Collaborating with the Emirates Esports Federation represents a major step forward in realising our vision for the future of esports and mobile gaming. Together, we are creating a platform that not only drives innovation but also fosters an environment where gamers and developers can thrive. The UAE’s rapidly evolving gaming ecosystem makes it an ideal hub for shaping the future of esports.”

Sheikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Bin Sultan Bin Shakhboot Al Nahyan, president of the Emirates Esports Federation, added, “This partnership with HUAWEI AppGallery represents a significant milestone in our efforts to strengthen the esports and gaming ecosystem in the UAE and beyond. By combining our expertise and resources, we aim to create new opportunities for innovation, talent development, and global collaboration within this dynamic industry.”

The agreement focuses on the joint effort to bolster the esports and mobile gaming sectors, with HUAWEI AppGallery and EESF collaborating on cutting-edge tournaments and campaigns. The Emirates Esports Federation will provide government support and professional player assistance for AppGallery Gamers Cup (AGC) tournaments in the UAE. The partnership also emphasises the growth and promotion of mobile games available on Huawei’s AppGallery platform.

This robust partnership highlights Huawei and the Emirates Esports Federation’s shared dedication to driving esports as an engine of innovation and economic development in the UAE and beyond, setting the stage for a promising future in the global gaming industry.

Nokia and Turkcell achieve world-first quantum-safe IPsec cryptography milestone, securing mobile networks against future quantum computing threats. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Nokia and Turkcell have achieved milestone by demonstrating the world’s first implementation of quantum-safe IPsec network cryptography for mobile subscribers 

This achievement is a significant step forward in protecting mobile networks from future quantum computing threats. By adopting cutting-edge cryptographic standards, Nokia and Turkcell are proactively strengthening network security to ensure long-term resilience in mobile communications.

The rise of quantum computing poses serious risks to traditional cryptography, potentially enabling quantum attacks that can bypass current security measures. As this technology evolves, it is crucial for networks to adopt robust solutions to mitigate these emerging threats.

Safeguarding mobile communications

Turkcell’s mobile transport network now features quantum-safe IPsec cryptography, integrated as part of a defense-in-depth, crypto-resilient strategy. This landmark demonstration utilised Nokia’s widely deployed IPsec Security Gateway, showcasing its ability to safeguard critical data against quantum-era threats.

By embracing advanced cryptographic techniques, Nokia and Turkcell are not only enhancing security for today but also preparing for technological advancements in the future. Mobile users can trust that their communications remain protected now and in the years ahead.

Dr Vehbi Çağrı Güngör, Turkcell chief network technologies officer, remarked, “This test represents a significant milestone in the evolution of our network security. As part of our strategy to continually enhance the security of our mobile network, this collaboration with Nokia provides us with the confidence that our transport security can withstand the challenges of the quantum era. By demonstrating these quantum-safe cryptography capabilities today, we are preparing our network for the future.”

Rafael De Fermin, senior vice-president of Network Infrastructure Europe, Nokia, added, “Through our collaboration with Turkcell we’ve shown how our quantum-safe IPsec technology can protect mobile networks against the evolving security threat landscape. This initiative is part of our ongoing commitment to safeguard the privacy and integrity of mobile technology. Our solutions provide a proactive defense-in-depth crypto-resilient approach against future network security challenges, ensuring that Turkcell’s network remains secure for years to come.”

This achievement underscores Nokia’s leadership in network security, particularly in the mobile telecom sector. The implementation of quantum-safe cryptography reinforces Nokia’s role at the forefront of creating secure, reliable network infrastructures. It also reflects the company’s dedication to addressing risks associated with emerging technologies like quantum computing.

The eMobility Forum will promote the decarbonisation of the transport sector. (Image source: RX)

As part of global efforts to decarbonise the transport sector, the upcoming World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi will explore, examine, and encourage the use of electric mobility technology, driving the industry towards eMobility

Running from January 14-16 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), the three-day show is an integral part of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2025. This year’s edition proved a widescale success, and the first day of the 2025 show will see the return of the popular eMobility Forum, gathering thought leaders, industry experts, and policy influencers to discuss the emerging trends and infrastructure needed for a transportation revolution.

A theme running across all seven conference tracks is artificial intelligence (AI), with the eMobility Forum dedicating a session to ‘Harnessing real-time AI for seamless urban traffic management’. Zeekr, a global premium electric mobility technology brand that offers a fully integrated user ecosystem, will showcase its Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA), which enables it to develop its own battery technologies, battery management systems, electric motor technologies, and EV supply chains.

“While regions like Europe, China, and the USA have scaled EV adoption through various incentives – such as preferential toll tariffs, exclusive EV lanes, dedicated parking, robust charging infrastructure, and tax deductions – there’s immense potential for similar measures to accelerate the UAE's transition to sustainable mobility. If we look back to 2015, anywhere between 50 and 80 vehicles were imported in a year. In 2024, total import figures will likely hit 20,000, and a projected 30,000 by the end of next year. There is a clear appetite for demand as the end users are really starting to understand the benefits of EV adoption,” said Roberto Colucci, director of electric vehicles at AW Rostamani and Zeekr UAE, who will present during the session.

The transportation sector accounts for more than 20% of global carbon emissions; EVs are leading the push to reduce that figure. The World Future Energy Summit will spotlight transport solutions aimed at radically reshaping urban design, fostering sustainable cities, and accelerating the adoption of smart transportation technologies.

Considering the Global South

Another key Forum feature is a dedicated session focusing on the future of eMobility in the Global South, where cars are often a luxury and motorbikes dominate the landscape. Two-wheeled EVs represent a transformative opportunity for the region, but their successful deployment will require reliable electricity infrastructure and an enterprising spirit to scale solutions such as battery-swapping schemes.

The Forum will also feature a session dedicated to ‘Rethinking Infrastructure for Autonomous Vehicles’, during which Zhengxiong Yang, mobility solution architecture lead at Space 42 – the MENA region’s leading space technology player – will share insights on advancing AI in mobility. Yang will highlight the latest updates on the operation of robotaxis on Abu Dhabi’s Yas and Saadiyat islands, including the difficulties in and improvements to infrastructure.

Reducing emissions

The Forum will explore challenges and innovations in reducing emissions across all transport modes. While EVs dominate the road sector’s decarbonisation efforts, electric propulsion systems and hybrid technologies are being developed for maritime vessels. The aviation sector is also making strides with microgrid technology, transforming airports into green energy hubs, and reducing reliance on traditional energy sources.

EV sales in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) are growing due to government initiatives, strong economies, and a heightened focus on sustainability, with several countries implementing policies to boost adoption. The UAE aims to have EVs make up 50% of road vehicles by 2050, with the broader MENA EV market expected to reach 45,000 units by 2026, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 9.07%.

While China is the global leader in EV sales, the UAE was last year first in the region and ranked seventh globally in the EV readiness index, signifying the UAE's commitment to sustainable transportation and its aim to become carbon neutral by 2050.

The eMobility Forum is one of seven vertical conference streams at the summit that will drill down into the entire energy ecosystem. “Our sector conferences provide unparalleled opportunities for visitors, delegates, and exhibitors to discover the latest developments impacting the clean energy, solar, water, waste, sustainable cities, and Pathways to 1.5C sectors,” explained Leen AlSebai, general manager of RX Middle East and head of the World Future Energy Summit.

Visit the website to learn more by clicking here and register for the conference by clicking here