UAE and Gates Foundation Showcase Breakthroughs in Agricultural Innovation

Shahba Mayyeri -

Mariam Almheiri, Head of International Affairs Office at the Presidential Court, welcomed Bill Gates, Chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, for a significant update on the UAE-Gates Foundation Partnership during COP28.

The collaboration, launched last year, pledged $200 million to revolutionize agriculture through AI and technological advancements, addressing food system vulnerabilities exacerbated by climate change.

The partnership’s investment has supported organizations like CGIAR in creating innovative solutions to enhance the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in low- and middle-income countries.

At Emirates Palace, Almheiri hosted a bilateral meeting with Gates, joined by Faisal Al Bannai, Adviser to the UAE President, and other dignitaries. The delegation reviewed four groundbreaking projects funded under the partnership:

  • CGIAR AI Hub and AgriLLM: Employing large language models to streamline agricultural extension services for resource-constrained smallholders.
  • International Red Palm Weevil Consortium: Collaborating globally to mitigate threats posed by the destructive Red Palm Weevil.
  • Technical Assistance: Developing tools to help 15 countries enhance agrifood systems and inform national strategies on climate adaptation and mitigation.
  • AIM for Scale Weather Forecasting: Delivering high-quality weather forecasts to benefit millions of farmers.

Almheiri emphasized the UAE’s commitment, stating,

“The groundbreaking work on display today reflects our leadership in food security and agricultural innovation.” Gates praised the initiative’s impact, highlighting the transformative potential of partnerships in addressing global challenges.

Faisal Al Bannai added,

“AI-driven solutions, like those powered by TII’s Falcon models, underscore the UAE’s dedication to sustainability and inclusive growth.”

The event reaffirmed the UAE’s role as a global leader in leveraging innovation to combat climate change and bolster food security.

News Source: Emirates News Agency