Korea and UAE Adopt '100-Year Partnership' Joint Declaration... "Special Strategic Partnership to Irreversible Level"

Adopted at the Summit... Cooperation in AI and Defense Industry Specified
Discussion on Establishing a K-Medical Cluster
Plans for Creating a "K-City" as a Cultural Industry Hub Included

On November 18 (local time), President Lee Jaemyung and President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) held a summit in Abu Dhabi and adopted a joint declaration titled "A New Leap Forward for 100 Years of Partnership between Korea and the UAE."

Yonhap News Agency

In the declaration, the two leaders acknowledged that Korea and the UAE have established significant milestones in their cooperative relationship, such as nuclear power plant collaboration and the deployment of the Akh Unit. They also stated that important achievements have been made through cooperation in the space industry. Furthermore, the two leaders agreed to deepen the special strategic partnership between the two countries to an irreversible level, based on trust, mutual respect, and a spirit of solidarity.

The declaration also included concrete cooperation plans for each industrial sector. In the nuclear power industry, the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant, which Korea won the contract to build in the UAE, was cited as an example. The two leaders agreed to expand the "Barakah Model" and seek joint entry into global markets, and to work together to enhance nuclear power plant efficiency using artificial intelligence (AI) and to foster talent under a "Comprehensive Strategic Energy Partnership." In the AI sector, they agreed to consider jointly establishing and operating AI data centers and to review projects such as the "Global AI Smart Port Project."

In the defense and defense industry sectors, the two countries agreed to elevate the level of cooperation beyond simple weapons sales to include joint development and local production. The declaration also included plans for cooperation in healthcare, such as discussing the establishment of a "K-Medical Cluster" to promote joint research and investment in pharmaceuticals, digital medical devices, and regenerative medicine.

Discussions on education, culture, and people-to-people exchanges were also included. The two countries plan to expand exchanges among next-generation talent through programs such as youth internships and to strengthen ties between their peoples by making the UAE a hub for culture and tourism. In particular, they agreed to establish "K-City" in the UAE as a base for Korean Wave industries such as K-culture and K-food, and to actively identify collaborative projects.

Yonhap News Agency

Additionally, the two leaders viewed next year's "UN Water Conference," co-hosted by the UAE and Senegal, as an opportunity to expand the achievements of both countries in water technology and innovation. They also mentioned the UAE's "Mohammed bin Zayed Water Initiative" and pledged to strengthen cooperation. To facilitate such cooperation, senior officials from both countries will communicate regularly to identify joint projects, and a separate task force will be established within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to monitor the implementation of agreements.

Meanwhile, the two leaders agreed to work together to create a legacy of peace and prosperity for future generations and to meet frequently to deepen communication and strengthen the special strategic partnership between the two countries.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.