Qatar and the UAE will join the US’s Pax Silica AI alliance

The Pax Silica group already includes Israel, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Great Britain and Australia. Qatar is expected to sign the declaration of accession to the initiative tomorrow (Monday), followed by the United Arab Emirates on January 15.

Halberg said that unlike previous alliances, Pax Silica is a “coalition of capabilities,” with the countries’ membership driven by each’s industrial and corporate strengths. Hallberg added that he hopes the initiative can help accelerate the Middle East’s economic transition from energy dependence to a more diversified, technology-driven economy. “For the UAE and Qatar, this marks a shift from a security architecture focused on hydrocarbons to one focused on silicon policy,” he said.

The steps come against the backdrop of the Future Minerals Forum, a global conference on minerals and supply chains hosted by Saudi Arabia, which will bring together executives, industry leaders and investors in Riyadh between January 13 and 15. Halberg said that the Pax Silica group will focus this year on expanding the number of its member countries, building strategic projects to secure supply chains and coordinating policies to protect critical infrastructure and technology. The group met in Washington last month. Hallberg said he hopes she will meet a few more times this year.

Hallberg also added that discussions are taking place on projects that can renew trade and logistics routes, including the India-Middle East-Europe corridor, using advanced American technology to strengthen regional integration and expand America’s economic footprint.

According to the report, American and Israeli officials plan to launch a strategic framework related to Pax Silica, including the “Fort Foundry One” industrial park in Israel to accelerate projects. Cooperation in the field of artificial intelligence will also be discussed, with the memorandum of understanding tentatively scheduled for January 16 – Friday this week.