South Korea and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have agreed to strengthen their cooperation in science and technology sector and build a joint research and development (R&D) center during Korean President Moon Jae-in’s state visit to the Middle Eastern country.

The National Business Council of Science & Technology (NST) overseeing Korea’s 25 state-funded research institutes said that it signed a memorandum of understanding with Khalifa University in Abu Dhabi to establish a joint research and development (R&D) center to extend collaboration in science and technology.

The two will set up a special committee to discuss details of the plan and have the Korea Basic Science Institute that belongs to the NST lead the establishment. The NST also agreed to conduct a project called Innovation Pioneer with UAE’s Scientific Committee to raise funding for their joint research programs.

Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) also signed an agreement with Kahlifa University to cooperate in developing core technologies for the fourth industrial revolution.

Both leading Korean science and technology institutes agreed to enhance their cooperation with the UAE local university in science and technology sectors during President Moon’s first UAE state visit.

A day before President Moon’s visit to UAE’s first nuclear reactor on Monday, the two countries also held a ceremony to celebrate the completion of the first reactor of Barakah nuclear power plant, the UAE’s nuclear power project that has been conducted by Korean companies since 2009.

Moon met with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the crown prince of Abu Dhabi, on Sunday for a summit where they agreed to upgrade the bilateral relations to a special strategic partnership.

By Kang Gye-man and Choi Mira

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