A recent report published by the “Abraham Peace Accords Institute” shed light on the reality and prospects of innovative and technological cooperation between signatories of the Abraham Accords, as “the last three years have witnessed many pioneering initiatives between entrepreneurs, innovation centers, and companies from the various member states of these agreements.”
“Innovation and technology played an important role in encouraging countries to sign as major drivers of economic diversification,” highlights the report, as the joint declaration between Rabat, Tel Aviv, and Washington at the end of 2020 stipulated “strengthening cooperation in the field of Innovation and technology.”
Regarding the most prominent aspects of cooperation between countries at this level, the same source pointed out that “the recent period has witnessed many exciting examples of technological and innovative cooperation between the countries of the Middle East and North Africa and the State of Israel.”
Including the latter’s organization, in cooperation with Moroccan and Bahraini partners, of bilateral conferences in Marrakesh and Manama, in addition to organizing the regional conference “Connect with Innovation,” which highlighted women leaders in this vital sector.
In the same context, the report pointed out the launch of a group of technical initiatives between the countries of the Abraham Accords by medical institutions and civil organizations.
While many Israeli companies, fund groups and financial bodies interested in technology have established offices and research and development centers in the countries concerned, such as the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Morocco, where “the Moroccan company Gaia Energy and the Israeli company H2 Pro signed an agreement to produce green hydrogen,” in addition to Moroccan scientists conducting research. Energy-related within Israeli universities and research centers.
The report noted that despite the level reached by technological cooperation between the countries concerned, “the potential for cooperation in the field of innovation is still far from being realized, given the presence of a set of challenges that present themselves in this context.”
“Some geopolitical factors that contributed In the slow progress of a number of important technological projects; Therefore, accelerating progress at the governmental and political levels is essential to creating conditions for fruitful cooperation in this field.”
The same source stated that the field of innovation and technology not only enhances opportunities for bilateral cooperation between countries; In addition, it is a fertile field for “the participation of third parties at the level of the governmental and private sectors in America, Europe, and Asia.”
For example, “activating the legislation that was recently submitted to Congress, which includes establishing a fund to enhance cooperation within the framework of the Abraham Accords and the Negev Forum, would make American support a major contribution to strengthening and developing technological and innovative cooperation initiatives.”
The Abraham Accords Peace Institute report concluded that “the potential for cooperation in the field of innovation is an important incentive for further expansion of the Abraham Accords and regional integration, as Arab and Islamic countries from the Gulf to Southeast Asia to North Africa seek to diversify their economies and attract investments.”
“Therefore, ensuring the tangible success of joint innovation projects and overcoming barriers and obstacles in this field are essential factors for expanding the circle of warm peace in the region.”