UAE Partners with ADB to Boost Agricultural Innovations for 8 Countries in Asia and Pacific
On May 7, 2026, during the 59th Asian Development Bank (ADB) Annual Meeting, the International Affairs Office at the UAE Presidential Court formalized a USD $1.5 million technical cooperation agreement with the ADB. This partnership aims to enhance agricultural innovations for farmers across eight countries in Asia and the Pacific, with additional support from Japan’s Fund for Prosperous and Resilient Asia and the Pacific (JFPR).
Objectives of the Partnership
The collaboration focuses on advancing agricultural innovation in Bangladesh, Indonesia, Nepal, the Philippines, Vietnam, Pakistan, Thailand, and the Maldives. The initiative seeks to implement evidence-based solutions, including AI-driven weather forecasting, digital advisory services, and tools designed to enhance livestock productivity. The goal is to integrate these innovations into national programs that can effectively reach farmers on a large scale. This partnership builds on earlier efforts supported by the Japan Fund for Prosperous and Resilient Asia and the Pacific since 2024.
Operational Framework
The new initiative will be executed through the ADB and the Agricultural Innovation Mechanism for Scale (AIM for Scale). This program, backed by both the UAE and the Gates Foundation, collaborates with governments, multilateral development banks, and other stakeholders to disseminate evidence-based agricultural innovations aimed at improving the livelihoods of millions of farmers.
Khalfan Al Matrooshi, an advisor at the International Affairs Office, emphasized the significance of international cooperation in enhancing global food security. He noted that through Abu Dhabi’s AI Ecosystem for Global Agricultural Development, the UAE is bringing together partners, expertise, and financing to facilitate these advancements. Al Matrooshi remarked that the partnership with the ADB and JFPR exemplifies the potential of global collaboration when partners unite with a shared mission.
Previous Initiatives and Funding
Earlier in 2026, the International Affairs Office allocated USD 5 million in AIM for Scale grants to several institutions, including the Mohamed Bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI), the University of Notre Dame’s Keough School of Global Affairs, and the Rwanda-based NGO C4Impact. These grants aim to assist governments in Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, and other African nations in scaling agricultural innovations in collaboration with leading development banks and partners.
The signing of this agreement marks a significant step in Abu Dhabi’s AI Ecosystem for Global Agricultural Development, which has already engaged governments across Africa and Asia within six months of its launch.
Broader Commitment to Agricultural Development
This partnership aligns with the UAE’s broader commitment to global agricultural development. This includes a USD 200 million partnership with the Gates Foundation announced at COP28 and the UAE’s membership in the CGIAR System Council as the first donor from the SWANA region.
Qingfeng Zhang, Senior Director of the Agriculture, Food, Nature, and Rural Development Sector Office at the ADB, highlighted the importance of digital technologies, innovative financing, and improved fertilizer efficiency in addressing recent shocks that have increased hunger among millions, particularly in Asia and the Pacific. He stated that collaborative agreements like this one serve as catalysts for integrated agricultural approaches, enhancing input systems, boosting productivity, and facilitating the transition to more resilient and sustainable food systems.
Shigeo Shimizu, Executive Director representing Japan at the ADB Board of Directors, noted that Japan has been actively supporting initiatives that foster innovation, resilience, and digital transformation across the region through the Japan Fund for Prosperous and Resilient Asia and the Pacific. He emphasized that Japan’s ongoing support for this initiative reflects a strong commitment to promoting sustainable agriculture and strengthening food systems through innovation and partnership.
Paul Winters, Executive Director of AIM for Scale, expressed optimism about collaborating with the ADB to ensure that millions of farmers across Asia and the Pacific gain access to evidence-backed innovations that can significantly enhance their livelihoods. He acknowledged the contributions of the UAE and JFPR in facilitating this essential work.
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Published on 2026-05-07 18:10:00 • By the Editorial Desk
