Dubai, UAE – 05 February 2025 - The Dubai Future Foundation (DFF) has signed a strategic partnership with Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), a leader in global aluminium production, to advance emerging manufacturing technologies through research-driven collaboration and knowledge exchange. The partnership aims to enhance Dubai’s readiness for transformational sectors and solidify Dubai and the UAE’s position as global hubs for innovative industries.

The partnership supports the objectives of the ‘Dubai Research and Development Programme,’ launched by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of DFF. The programme seeks to build a knowledge-driven ecosystem fueled by research, development, and innovation, enabling growth in key economic sectors and emerging industries through advanced industrial technologies.

The agreement was formalised by His Excellency Khalfan Belhoul, CEO of DFF, and Abdulnasser Ibrahim Saif Bin Kalban, CEO of EGA.

His Excellency Khalfan Belhoul emphasised Dubai’s commitment to preparing all sectors for the future, guided by the vision of its leadership. He said: “Dubai places great importance on forming meaningful strategic partnerships and sharing expertise to accelerate progress in research, development, and innovation. By promoting global collaboration, we aim to create transformative solutions that drive industrial innovation, stimulate economic growth, and reinforce Dubai’s position as a global leader in advanced technology. This partnership with EGA presents exciting opportunities to advance industrial technologies, transformation, and advanced manufacturing, strengthening Dubai and the UAE’s global standing in these vital sectors.”

Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, Chief Executive Officer of Emirates Global Aluminium, said: “Our strategic partnership with the Dubai Future Foundation will drive collaboration and knowledge exchange to advance the future of the UAE’s industrial sector through research, development, and innovation. At EGA, we have been developing our own proprietary aluminium smelting technologies in the UAE over 30 years to strengthen our global competitiveness.”

Bin Kalban concluded: “Four years ago, we set ourselves a bold goal to transform the aluminium industry by pioneering the adoption of Industry 4.0. Today, the World Economic Forum has recognised EGA as a Global Lighthouse for our leadership in the adoption of these technologies. Through this partnership, we look forward to accelerating digital transformation in the UAE’s industrial sector and reinforce the nation’s position as a hub for developing future technologies.”

As part of the partnership, EGA will lead keynote sessions and participate in panel discussions at the upcoming editions of the Dubai Future Forum, DFF’s flagship event and the world’s largest gathering of futurists. During these sessions, EGA will share strategic insights with global industry leaders. Additionally, EGA will join closed-door meetings with global experts and policymakers to foster impactful dialogue and high-level networking. Through these efforts, EGA’s leaders and experts will present their vision and expertise, driving collaboration and knowledge exchange at the forum.

The agreement also grants EGA priority access to marketing and communications opportunities tied to the forum, including exclusive branding, contributions to official publications, and access to specialised programmes offered by the Dubai Future Academy, an initiative of DFF.