Davos, Switzerland – The Technology Innovation Institute (TII), the applied research arm of Abu Dhabi’s Advanced Technology Research Council, and the World Economic Forum (WEF) have announced the launch of the Abu Dhabi Centre for Frontier Technologies, a new Centre within the WEF’s global Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR) Network.
The agreement was signed in the presence of Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, His Excellency Mohammad bin Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs, Børge Brende, President and CEO of the World Economic Forum, and Larry Fink, interim Co-Chair of the WEF Board of Trustees and Chairman and CEO of BlackRock.
The new Centre is mandated to drive breakthroughs in frontier research, advance global policy on emerging technologies, and foster international collaboration that moves innovation from the laboratory into real-world deployment. It builds on the UAE’s position as a real-world testbed for innovation, supported by agile regulation and close integration between research, policy, and execution.
Through this partnership, Abu Dhabi becomes a global epicentre for pioneering work in quantum computing, robotics, propulsion and space systems, and related AI applications. By joining the C4IR Global Network, TII enters a globally connected ecosystem designed to accelerate the responsible adoption of transformative technologies.
Dr. Najwa Aaraj, CEO of TII, said the Centre brings together research excellence, policy leadership, and global collaboration on a single platform, enabling breakthrough science to move beyond the lab into scalable, responsibly governed solutions. She added that the initiative reinforces Abu Dhabi’s role as a global hub for science, innovation, and impact.
Jeremy Jurgens, Managing Director of the World Economic Forum, said the addition strengthens the C4IR Network’s ability to shape the global technology agenda. By bringing world-class research capabilities into the network, the Centre will support industries in translating innovation into practical, responsible solutions that advance inclusion, sustainability, and trust in technology.
With this launch, Abu Dhabi joins a distinguished group of C4IR Centres in countries including the United States, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Japan, and India. The Centre will drive proof-of-concept pilots, regulatory sandboxes, and global convenings, serving as both an innovation engine and a strategic platform for responsible technology adoption.
The initiative further elevates the UAE’s global standing in frontier science, positioning Abu Dhabi at the heart of next-generation technological development and policy leadership.
