Emirates Polar Program Engages in High-Level Arctic Dialogue at The Arctic Encounter Symposium

The Emirates Polar Program participated in The Arctic Encounter Symposium(AES), the largest annual Arctic policy and business event in the United States, bringing together global leaders, policymakers, industry experts, Indigenous leaders, and and leading experts from the science, technology, marine, research, startups, investment, health, and energy sectors, to address pressing issues in Arctic policy. The Symposium aims to address the shared interests and concerns of the United States and the global community.

As part of the symposium’s agenda, the UAE delegation contributed to two prominent panel discussions. The first panel, titled “Expanding the Arctic Dialogue: Diplomacy from Tokyo to Abu Dhabi”, explored the growing involvement of nations outside the Arctic region in shaping its future through diplomacy, investment, and strategic partnerships. Representing the Emirates Polar Program, Mr. Wassim Said, Chairman’s Advisor at the International Affairs Office of the Presidential Court and member of the Emirates Polar Program Steering Committee, joined distinguished panelists to share insights on the UAE’s role in fostering international collaboration in Arctic affairs.

While the second panel, titled “Closing the Cutter Gap to Rebuild Arctic Power”, examined the urgent need for icebreaker capabilities to ensure year-round maritime access in the Arctic. Mr. Ahmed Al Katheeri, representing Abu Dhabi Ports Group, joined international industry leaders to discuss the importance of polar-capable infrastructure for sustainable Arctic development and security.

The Emirates Polar Program’s participation in The Arctic Encounter Symposium underscores the UAE’s growing engagement in global polar dialogues and its commitment to building strategic partnerships that contribute to understanding, protecting, and sustainably developing the world’s polar regions.

In addition to panel participation, the Emirates Polar Program representatives met with the Governor of Alaska, Gov. Mike Dunleavy, to further explore potential areas of collaboration. The meeting included Mr. Wassim Said, Ms. Loulia AlKhatib, Secretariat Director of the Emirates Polar Program and Researcher at the UAE Presidential Court, along with Mr. Ahmed Al Katheeri. Discussions focused on cooperation towards advancing shared interests in polar research, sustainable development, and environmental stewardship.