Category: Politics

As a key step towards deepening renewable energy cooperation, the UAE and Kazakhstan have signed an agreement to develop large-scale clean energy and battery storage projects. The agreement was signed in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company PJSC (Masdar) and Kazakhstan’s sovereign wealth fund Samruk-Kazyna JSC will collaborate on a 24/7 renewable energy plan. This project seeks to provide up to 500MW of continuous renewable power, supplemented by 2GW of battery energy storage devices.

The parties also exchanged documents for a previously ratified agreement involving Masdar’s 1GW wind project in Kazakhstan. This comprises a 600 MWh battery system, which ranks among the region’s largest.

HE Dr. Sultan Al Jaber emphasised the agreement’s importance in developing bilateral energy connections and advancing Kazakhstan’s economic and energy objectives. Nurlan Zhakupov, CEO of Samruk-Kazyna, emphasised the company’s congruence with Kazakhstan’s goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2060.

Kazakhstan intends to generate 15% of its electricity from renewables by 2030. Masdar is spreading across Central Asia and aims to reach 100GW of worldwide capacity by 2030.

President Donald Trump paid a visit to the United Arab Emirates on Thursday, promising to strengthen bilateral ties and unveiling agreements worth more than $200 billion. During his meeting with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to increased collaboration in trade, aviation, energy, and artificial intelligence.

The visit’s centrepiece was Etihad Airways’ $14.5 billion investment in 28 Boeing 787 and 777x aircraft powered by GE Aerospace engines. Trump also unveiled a new 5gw AI complex in the UAE, which is set to become the largest outside the United States.

The two governments announced a new “US-UAE AI Acceleration Partnership,” which lays the groundwork for future collaboration in artificial intelligence technologies. According to sources, the agreement involves enhanced access for the UAE to advanced US AI chips, following previous restrictions imposed due to worries over Chinese access.

Trump’s visit to the UAE is part of a broader tour of Gulf states. Previously, he applauded Qatar’s $10 billion investment in a US military site. Trump also mentioned a $1.4 trillion UAE investment plan over the next decade.

Iran has proposed forming a regional uranium enrichment partnership with Saudi Arabia and the UAE to resolve US concerns about its nuclear project. According to a report, the effort aims to create a collaborative Middle Eastern nuclear framework while strengthening Tehran’s position that enrichment rights should be retained.

The proposed consortium would have shared control and oversight, with enrichment efforts limited to 3.67% purity, with the original provisions of the 2015 nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). The enrichment would take place in Iran’s facilities, but with the participation and monitoring of regional partners. Tehran sees this as a strategic concession, granting neighbouring countries access to nuclear technology and including them in Iran’s enrichment process.

It is unclear whether Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi brought up this notion during his three-hour meeting with US officials in Oman on Sunday. Following these meetings, Araghchi visited Dubai to meet with UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Notably, the UAE is not actively enriching uranium.

The consortium notion has circulated in Tehran since 2023, when former Iranian negotiator Seyed Hossein Mousavian and physicist Frank von Hippel advocated it in the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists.

The United States has approved a significant arms deal with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), including the sale of military assets worth around $1.45 billion. The declaration comes as former President Donald Trump begins a diplomatic visit to the Middle East, which will include a stop in the UAE.

The proposed package includes the sale of six CH-47F Chinook helicopters, as well as related systems and equipment, valued at $1.32 billion. These heavy-lift helicopters are expected to increase the UAE’s operational capability in missions such as search and rescue, humanitarian assistance, disaster response, and counterterrorism.

The arrangement also includes ongoing maintenance and technical support for the UAE’s current F-16 fighter jet fleet. The incorporation of such support is intended to ensure the air force’s long-term operational effectiveness and readiness.

According to the US State Department, the agreement supports larger American strategic interests by strengthening the defence architecture of a key ally in the Gulf region. The Defence Security Cooperation Agency has officially informed Congress of the proposed sale, beginning a 30-day review period in which lawmakers can evaluate or oppose the deal.

Albania had a historic election, with Prime Minister Edi Rama seeking a fourth term and promising the country’s integration into the European Union. Rama, Albania’s longest-serving democratic leader, gained a substantial majority with the Socialist Party, putting the country on track to join the European Union by 2030.

With nearly 85% of votes counted, the Socialist Party is expected to win over 82 seats in Albania’s 140-seat parliament, much exceeding the 71 required for a majority.

Rama’s pro-EU stance was crucial to his campaign, and he remains optimistic about Albania’s future in the EU, despite opposition obstacles. The Democratic Party, led by Sali Berisha, accused the Socialists of exploiting state resources to influence the election, which Rama denounced as baseless and absurd.

Rama’s major focus is on Albania’s EU goals, which he discussed with European leaders ahead of the European Political Community summit in Tirana, which will bring together leaders from all around Europe, including Ukraine’s President Zelensky.

Despite the opposition party’s allegations of election irregularities, Rama continues to celebrate his victory, emphasising the public’s desire for reform. He remains resolute in his quest to push Albania closer to EU membership, promising to achieve this goal within five years.

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, met with Israel’s Foreign Minister, Gideon Sa’ar, in Abu Dhabi for a diplomatic discussion aimed at strengthening cooperation and tackling important regional issues. Sheikh Abdullah welcomed Minister Sa’ar and expressed happiness with the UAE’s expanding bilateral partnership with Israel.

The conversation focused on current regional developments, including the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip. Both ministers discussed the urgent need for a ceasefire and the resumption of an interim agreement. They also stressed the need to ensure the safe release of hostages and reduce regional tensions.

Sheikh Abdullah emphasised the UAE’s commitment to supporting diplomatic efforts that prioritise civilian safety and humanitarian assistance. He reiterated the country’s long-standing support for the Palestinian people and their right to self-determination.

Highlighting the deteriorating situation in Gaza, Sheikh Abdullah urged for an uninterrupted flow of aid and enhanced international collaboration to alleviate civilian suffering. He emphasised the significance of resuming political talks to achieve a two-state solution.

He also emphasised the importance of combating extremism and promoting tolerance, cohabitation, and human fraternity, all of which are necessary for regional peace and stability.

Kazakhstan and the UAE inked more than 20 commercial agreements worth more than $5 billion during Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s official visit to Kazakhstan on May 12. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev hailed the agreement, citing the UAE as one of Kazakhstan’s most important strategic allies.

During the meeting, both presidents reaffirmed their commitment to promoting economic cooperation. In 2023, a Joint Declaration was made to encourage strategic investment initiatives. In just the first few months of 2024, direct investments from the UAE into Kazakhstan have more than doubled.

The agreements include a wide range of sectors. Samruk Kazyna, Kazakhstan’s National Wealth Fund, has signed an agreement with Masdar to create continuous power supply and storage systems with capacities of 500 MW and 2,000 MW, respectively. Samruk Kazyna has also partnered with AIQ to digitally change the oil and gas sector, and has inked a memorandum of understanding with Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank.

Kazakhstan has struck an agreement with Presight to develop a supercomputer cluster. Other agreements include a partnership between KazMunayGas and Abu Dhabi Ports Group to increase Kazakhstan’s merchant fleet, and QazaqGaz’s collaboration with AIQ on oil and gas digitisation.

India has reaffirmed its support for the Maldives by providing critical financial help amidst the island nation’s ongoing debt crisis. On Monday, the Indian government confirmed the extension of its $50 million subscription to a treasury bill issued by the Maldives’ Ministry of Finance for another year. The decision was taken at the Maldivian government’s formal request and enabled by the State Bank of India, according to a statement released by the Indian High Commission in Male on X.

The Maldives’ Foreign Minister, Abdulla Khaleel, officially expressed gratitude to India, calling the assistance “crucial and timely.” He also stated that this financial lifeline would help the government’s efforts to drive fiscal reforms and boost the country’s economic resilience.

The Maldives’ economy is weak, with dwindling foreign exchange reserves and an increasing external debt burden. According to the World Bank, the island nation’s total public and publicly guaranteed debt would reach $9.4 billion by the end of 2024, exceeding 134% of its GDP—a more than $1 billion rise from the previous year.

Complicating matters, credit rating agencies Fitch and Moody’s downgraded the government in late 2024, limiting its access to international financing.

The UAE and Egypt have formed a strategic cooperation through the Industrial Transition Accelerator (ITA) to promote clean industrial development in the MENA region. This collaboration, established under a memorandum of understanding between the UAE Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology and Egypt’s Industrial Modernisation Centre, aims to expedite decarbonisation in high-emission sectors such as cement, aluminium, steel, chemicals, aviation, and shipping.

The agreement was signed in the presence of key officials, including UAE Minister Dr. Sultan Al Jaber and Egyptian Minister Kamel Al-Wazir. Egypt, the third country to join ITA’s MENA Programme after Bahrain, provides a robust industrial base and expanding renewable energy resources.

Egypt’s strategic location and energy resources position the country to become a major low-carbon supplier to Europe. The alliance will increase project investment, improve technical information sharing, and facilitate policy alignment. Over the next two years, ITA intends to expedite significant project choices, ensuring implementation by 2030.

The ITA initiative has identified approximately 45 industrial projects valued at over $100 billion. By bringing together business, finance, and government, the program provides personalised assistance to remove barriers and promote demand for green products. This alliance demonstrates the region’s common commitment to sustainable growth and a low-emission future.

The UAE and France have signed a strategic agreement to create a 1-gigawatt artificial intelligence data centre, which is expected to be the largest of its kind in Europe. The venture was announced during an international AI conference in Paris and is supported by a multibillion-euro investment from the UAE. The project represents a big step forward in the two countries’ technological collaboration.

The concept arose from discussions in February between French President Emmanuel Macron and senior Emirati officials. Leaders from both countries emphasised the need to promote innovation through advanced AI infrastructure and collaborative research. The facility will serve as the centrepiece of a larger AI complex dedicated to fostering global technological developments.

Advanced computing systems, including high-performance AI chips, will be installed at the centre. Along with infrastructure development, the plan prioritises education and workforce development to cultivate AI competence locally and worldwide.

Another important component of the deal is the establishment of virtual data embassies, which will ensure secure and sovereign cloud services in both nations. France cited the partnership as an example of international collaboration in developing technologies. The agreement shows the increasing momentum in bilateral collaboration and seeks to determine the future of AI innovation and digital sovereignty.