UAE President Discusses Energy Cooperation with US National Energy Council Leader

The UAE and United States signed a major cooperation agreement on energy and artificial intelligence during the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition (ADIPEC 2025). The deal aims to build smarter energy systems and boost manufacturing capabilities as both countries prepare for an AI-driven economy.

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan met with Doug Burgum, the US Secretary of Interior and Chairman of the National Energy Council, at Al Shati Palace in Abu Dhabi. The meeting took place as Burgum visits the UAE for ADIPEC, running from November 3-6.

The memorandum of understanding was signed between the UAE's Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology and the US National Energy Council. Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and CEO of ADNOC, signed for the Emirates. Burgum signed for the American side.

Here's what makes this deal significant: both countries are racing to build energy infrastructure that can handle AI's massive power demands. Data centers running AI systems need enormous amounts of electricity. The partnership focuses on creating smarter, more flexible energy networks that can meet these growing needs.

The cooperation covers several key areas. Both countries will work on advanced manufacturing and smart production technologies. They'll develop AI applications for energy grid management, predictive maintenance, and energy storage systems. The deal also includes robotics, materials engineering, and automation projects.

Al Jaber said the partnership reflects the UAE's vision of building global partnerships across different sectors. "The UAE and United States are working together to develop smarter and more flexible energy systems capable of meeting the increasing demands of the AI era," he explained. The cooperation also supports the UAE's "Make it in the Emirates" initiative.

Burgum emphasized President Trump's commitment to the partnership, referencing Trump's earlier visit to the UAE this year. "Under President Trump's leadership, the American energy sector is using AI to modernize infrastructure and significantly increase energy production to meet growing demand," he said.

The agreement includes technical cooperation, research collaboration, and knowledge sharing programs. Both countries will run leadership training and specialized programs to build expertise in these emerging technologies.

This partnership comes as the UAE positions itself as a global hub for advanced industry and technology. The deal aligns with the UAE's National Strategy for Industry and Advanced Technology, which aims to make the country a manufacturing powerhouse.

The timing matters too. Energy security has become a national priority as AI adoption accelerates. Countries that can efficiently power AI infrastructure will have major economic advantages. The UAE, with its energy expertise, and the US, with its tech capabilities, are betting that collaboration will give both nations an edge in this competition.