• The “Agricultural Innovation Mechanism for Scaling” initiative will guide the technical assistance supported by this partnership, in collaboration with two experts from the Asian Development Bank. This initiative is supported by the UAE and the Gates Foundation and is part of the “Abu Dhabi AI ecosystem to support global agricultural development,” a dynamic platform launched at the end of 2025 to provide AI tools to farmers around the world. This partnership also includes the “Japan Fund for Asia Pacific Prosperity and Resilience.”
• In less than six months since the launch of Abu Dhabi’s AI ecosystem to support agriculture globally, the UAE and the Gates Foundation have committed to working with governments in Africa and Asia to develop joint agricultural innovations, with the aim of enhancing global food security.

Samarkand, Uzbekistan : On the sidelines of the 59th Annual Meeting of the Asian Development Bank, the Office of International Affairs at the UAE Presidential Court today signed a cooperation partnership agreement worth US$1.5 million with the Asian Development Bank, with the aim of expanding agricultural innovations for farmers in eight countries in Asia and the Pacific. This agreement was strengthened with support from the Japan Fund for Asia Pacific Prosperity and Resilience.

This partnership aims to support agricultural innovation in Bangladesh, Indonesia, Nepal, the Philippines, Vietnam, Pakistan, Thailand, and the Maldives by working with governments to transform evidence-based solutions—including AI-powered weather forecasting, digital advisory services, and livestock productivity improvement tools—into large-scale, farmer-reaching national programs.

The new partnership will be activated by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Agricultural Innovation Scaling Mechanism (AIM for Scale) , an initiative supported by the UAE and the Gates Foundation, which works with governments, multilateral development banks and other partners to scale up evidence-based agricultural innovations with the aim of improving the livelihoods of millions of farmers .

Khalfan Al Matroushi, Advisor to the International Affairs Office at the UAE Presidential Court, said: “ International cooperation continues to play a pivotal role in enhancing global food security. Through the Abu Dhabi Artificial Intelligence System to Support the Development of the Global Agricultural Sector, the UAE is working to mobilize the necessary partners, expertise, and funding. Our partnership today with the Asian Development Bank and the Japan Fund for Asia Pacific Prosperity and Resilience, implemented through the Agricultural Innovation Mechanism for Scaling initiative, is evidence of what international cooperation can achieve when global partners join forces to achieve a common goal.”

Earlier this year, the Office of International Affairs allocated $5 million in grants under the Agricultural Innovation Scaling Mechanism to Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence, Notre Dame University’s Keio School of Global Affairs, and the Rwandan NGO C4Impact , with the aim of supporting governments in Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, and other African countries in scaling up agricultural innovations in partnership with leading development banks and other partners. With the signing of today’s agreement, the Abu Dhabi AI ecosystem to support global agricultural development has already reached governments in Africa and Asia in less than six months since its launch .

This signing reinforces the UAE’s commitment to global agricultural development, including the $200 million partnership with the Gates Foundation announced during COP28 , and the UAE’s membership in the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research as the first donor from the Southwest Asia and North Africa region.

Chengfeng Zhang, Senior Director of the Agriculture, Food, Nature and Rural Development Sector Office at the Asian Development Bank , said :
“ Digital technologies, innovative financing, and improved fertilizer use efficiency are crucial in addressing the effects of recent crises that have left millions of people suffering from hunger, particularly in Asia and the Pacific. Cooperation agreements like these provide an incentive for an integrated agricultural approach that strengthens input systems, increases productivity, and accelerates the transition to more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable food systems.”

Shigeo Shimozo, CEO of the Asian Development Bank, added :

" Through the Japan Fund for Asia Pacific Prosperity and Resilience, Japan continues to support initiatives that promote innovation, resilience and digital transformation in the region. Our support for this initiative since 2024 reflects Japan's strong and ongoing commitment to promoting sustainable agriculture and strengthening food systems through innovation and partnership."

Paul Winters, Executive Director of the Agricultural Innovation Mechanism for Expansion, said:

" We look forward to collaborating with the Asian Development Bank to ensure that millions of farmers in Asia and the Pacific have access to evidence-based innovations that will tangibly improve their livelihoods, and we are grateful to the UAE and the Japan Fund for Asia Pacific Prosperity and Resilience for enabling this important work ."

About the International Affairs Office at the Presidential Court of the United Arab Emirates

The Office of International Affairs was established as a specialized office dedicated to advancing and implementing strategic projects of an international nature, with a particular focus on science, research, and diplomacy. The office serves as a platform for high-quality initiatives that require a comprehensive vision and a multidisciplinary approach, contributing to sustainable and impactful results. It also plays a pivotal role in enhancing soft power by expanding international cooperation, building strategic partnerships, and supporting the exchange of knowledge and expertise globally .

About the Asian Development Bank

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is a leading multilateral development bank that supports sustainable, inclusive, and resilient growth in Asia and the Pacific. The bank works with its members and partners to address complex challenges through innovative financing instruments and strategic partnerships aimed at improving quality of life, building high-quality infrastructure, and protecting our planet. The bank was established in 1966 and has 69 members, 50 of which are countries in the region .

Overview of the Agricultural Innovation Mechanism for Expansion Initiative

The Agricultural Innovation Scaling Mechanism is a global initiative supported by the Office of Global Affairs and the Gates Foundation, which aims to scale up evidence-based and cost-effective innovations that improve farmers’ livelihoods and food security in low- and middle-income countries.

For more information, please visit the website ( aimedforscale.org ).

About the Japan Fund for Asia Pacific Prosperity and Resilience

Japan established the Japan Poverty Reduction Fund in May 2000 to provide grants for projects that support poverty reduction and related social development activities that add value to projects financed by the Asian Development Bank. In September 2021, the fund was developed and renamed the Japan Fund for Asia Pacific Prosperity and Resilience, with the addition of four new priority areas alongside poverty reduction: universal health coverage, climate change and disaster risk management, investment in quality infrastructure, and public financial management .

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