South Korea and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have taken a significant step to deepen their bilateral relations through a joint declaration signed during South Korean President Lee Jae Myung’s state visit to Abu Dhabi on November 18, 2025. This declaration outlines a broad framework for cooperation, spanning cutting-edge sectors such as artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, civil nuclear energy, national defense and defense technology, water management, public health and healthcare, education, culture, and people-to-people exchanges. The agreement aims to establish a practical, sustainable, and mutually beneficial partnership fostering shared prosperity between the two nations.

Central to the partnership is the establishment of a joint research and development platform, designed to facilitate technology transfer, expand human exchanges, and ensure the stability of supply chains for critical materials. Furthermore, the declaration emphasizes strategies for joint production ventures and collaborative entry into third-country markets, reflecting a comprehensive strategy to boost economic and technological ties. Both governments stressed the importance of building frameworks that not only promote innovation but also ensure long-term stability for their industries and economies.

Another pivotal element of this growing cooperation is South Korea’s commitment to join the UAE’s ambitious Stargate AI infrastructure project. This initiative, spearheaded by the UAE’s state-backed firm G42 alongside major U.S. technology companies such as OpenAI, Oracle, Nvidia, and Cisco, is poised to become one of the largest AI data center complexes globally. Set in Abu Dhabi, the project is backed by an initial investment exceeding $22 billion and will feature a capacity potentially reaching 5 gigawatts. South Korea’s participation is expected to open significant opportunities for Korean AI startups and data centre specialists, enabling them to expand their footprint in the global AI market and engage in groundbreaking technological developments.

President Lee also expressed optimism about expanding cooperation beyond AI, highlighting renewable energy and advanced technologies as key areas for enhanced collaboration. He proposed that Korean firms play a pivotal role in the UAE's AI semiconductor ecosystem and laid out plans to extend energy cooperation to renewable sources and small modular nuclear reactors. Notably, Lee emphasised the synergy between the UAE’s abundant solar power resources and Korea’s expertise in battery and energy-storage technologies, signalling a shared vision of sustainable energy innovation.

This newly forged alliance comes amid a global scramble for leadership in emerging technologies and sustainable energy solutions. By combining their resources and expertise, South Korea and the UAE appear well-positioned to accelerate progress in AI development, energy innovation, and other strategic sectors. The collaboration not only strengthens their bilateral relations but also aims to produce ripple effects in third markets, enhancing their influence on the global stage.

While the declaration firmly sets a cooperative tone, the true test will lie in the implementation of the outlined initiatives and how effectively both countries manage technological, economic, and geopolitical challenges that may arise. Nonetheless, this partnership signals a forward-looking approach, leveraging complementary strengths to foster economic growth and technological advancement.

📌 Reference Map:

  • [1] (MLex) - Paragraph 1, Paragraph 2
  • [2] (UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs) - Paragraph 1, Paragraph 2
  • [3], [5], [6], [7] (Korea Times) - Paragraph 3
  • [4] (Korea Times) - Paragraph 4, Paragraph 5

Source: Noah Wire Services