Sarah Al Amiri, Minister of State for Public Education and Advanced Technology, discussed during an official visit to the Republic of Serbia ways to enhance cooperation between the two nations. During her visit, Al Amiri discussed cooperation in areas such as research and development (RandD), advanced technology, sustainability, food technology, developing tools to finance research, innovation, energy transition, and developing legislations to help accelerate the growth of technology globally. Discussions also covered ways of ensuring these legislations are up-to-date with rapid technological development as well as the importance of adopting advanced technology in industry to boost competitiveness. She also discussed opportunities to strengthen the education system and vocational schools to provide students with practical skills to enhance their competitiveness and equip them for jobs in industry. In Belgrade, Al Amiri met with Jelena Begovi, Minister of Science, Technological Development and Innovation of Serbia; Branko Ruzi, Minister of Education of Serbia; Milica Djuric-Jovicic, Director of the Science Fund of Serbia; Professor Vladimir Kostic, President of the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts; and Ivan Rakonjac, Director of the Innovation Fund. l Amiri was accompanied by Mubarak Saeed Al Dhaheri, UAE Ambassador to Serbia. Ali Al Hashimi, Director of Science and Technology Policies and Programmes at the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, and Amal Al Hammadi, Head of Programme Management at the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, also joined the UAE delegation. Delegates explored funding opportunities in the field of research, development and innovation, in addition to the development of financing programmes and tools for research. These opportunities are designed to support the exchange of knowledge and strengthen relations in the field of RandD. The visit is in line with the objectives of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between the UAE and Serbia, which aims to facilitate cooperation and investment to support mutual economic development and national competitiveness. l Amiri said, “In line with our leadership’s vision, Emirati-Serbian relations are continually developing, and we are cooperating in vital sectors, such as science and technology, research and development, food security, agricultural technology, renewable and sustainable energy, as well as financing for each of these areas, which are critical to the UAE’s national vision for the future. We also discussed several Emirati initiatives including the Technology Transformation Programme and the Industrial Technological Transformation Index. “With the Minister of Science, Technological Development and Innovation, and the Director of the Innovation Fund, I discussed cooperation in the field of RandD, financing, commercialisation, and developing financing tools. In addition, we addressed topics such as pathways for the energy transition and keeping pace with legislation in light of the acceleration of technological development. We also discussed ways to finance RandD, the importance of advanced technology in the development of various industries, and the advancement of food technology.” l Amiri discussed with Director of the Science Fund of Serbia Milica Djuric-Jovicic funding opportunities in the field of research, development and innovation, as well as developing financing tools to support research. She also reveiwed joint research in various priority areas with Professor Vladimir Kostic.
UAE-Serbia relations are entering a new phase of growth following the signing of their CEPA, representing a joint endeavour to increase cooperation and investment.
Source: Emirates News Agency