Qatar and the United Arab Emirates are set to join a US-led initiative aimed at securing global artificial intelligence and semiconductor supply chains, signaling a shift in how technology is reshaping geopolitics and economic alliances.
US Undersecretary of State for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg said the inclusion of the two Gulf states reflects Washington’s intent to bring Arab partners and Israel into a shared, technology-focused economic framework, despite the region’s historical political divisions.
The initiative, known as Pax Silica, is designed to safeguard the entire technology value chain, spanning critical minerals, advanced manufacturing, computing capacity, and data infrastructure. It has emerged as a central pillar of US economic statecraft, seeking to align trusted partners around sensitive technologies while reducing exposure to geopolitical rivals.
“The Silicon Declaration isn’t just a diplomatic communiqué,” Helberg told Reuters. “It’s meant to be an operational document for a new economic security consensus.”
For Qatar and the UAE, the move marks a strategic transition. Long defined by hydrocarbons, both countries have invested heavily in artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, and digital infrastructure as part of broader economic diversification agendas.
Helberg described the shift as a move from “hydrocarbon-centric security architecture to one focused on silicon statecraft,” positioning both states within a technology-driven growth model.
Qatar is expected to sign the Pax Silica declaration on January 12, followed by the UAE on January 15. They will join an existing group that includes Israel, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and Australia.
Unlike traditional alliances, Pax Silica is structured around economic and industrial capacity rather than defense commitments. Membership is based on what each country contributes across the technology stack, from raw materials and manufacturing expertise to research, data infrastructure, and market access.
Helberg described it as a “coalition of capabilities,” reflecting growing concern over the vulnerability of semiconductor and AI supply chains. Disruptions, whether from geopolitical tension, export controls, or physical chokepoints, are increasingly viewed as national security risks.
The announcement coincides with the Future Minerals Forum in Riyadh, where critical minerals such as lithium and rare earths, essential for chips and batteries, will dominate discussions. Pax Silica will focus this year on expanding membership, launching strategic projects, and coordinating policies to protect critical infrastructure.
Proposals include modernizing trade corridors such as the India-Middle East-Europe route using US technology, and developing industrial hubs like “Fort Foundry One” in Israel. AI cooperation is also on the agenda, with a memorandum of understanding expected later this month.
The expansion into the Gulf underscores a broader reality: in today’s global economy, control over silicon, data, and computing power is becoming as strategically important as control over oil once was.
