UAE joins BRICS partners to launch Centre for Industrial Competences

The UAE Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology joined its BRICS counterparts in signing a pivotal declaration to launch a Centre for Industrial Competences.

This initiative, in collaboration with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), aims to bolster industrial skills and capabilities.

The declaration was signed during the 8th BRICS Industry Ministers Meeting, which gathered representatives from the UAE, Russia, Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Iran, and South Africa.

Chaired by Russia, the meeting focused on "strengthening multilateralism for equitable global development and security."

The new centre will support the New Industrial Revolution (NIR) framework by addressing key interests, challenges, and opportunities in the evolving industrial sector. It will also help develop industrial skills across member countries.

Omar Al Suwaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, signed the declaration on behalf of the UAE.

He praised Russia’s leadership and highlighted the significant potential for collaborative industrial progress among BRICS nations, which together represent nearly 45 per cent of the world’s population and about a third of global GDP.

Al Suwaidi emphasised the UAE’s commitment to enhancing global partnerships and addressing key issues like food security and climate change.

The declaration outlines the creation of several working groups focusing on various sectors, including chemicals, metals, SMEs, smart manufacturing, clean technology, and medical equipment.

It also reaffirms the commitment to supporting the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 9 on industry, innovation and infrastructure.

Additionally, the declaration acknowledges the role of the PartNIR Innovation Centre in policy coordination, training, and project development. The centre has previously hosted events such as the BRICS New Industrial Revolution Exhibition and the BRICS Forum on Future Networks Innovation.

The meeting concluded with a review of past agreements to deepen BRICS cooperation in industrialisation, innovation, inclusiveness and investment, including the Johannesburg II Declaration from August 2023. Delegates also expressed support for Brazil, which will host the 9th BRICS Industry Ministers Meeting in 2025.

Since the UAE joined BRICS in January 2024, forecasts indicate that BRICS could represent 45 per cent of the global economy by 2040.