Sheikh Mohamed, French President Emmanuel Macron, Pope Francis and Giorgia Meloni during the G7 Summit in Savelletri, Italy, on Friday. AFP

UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan participated in the G7 Summit session on artificial intelligence and energy, held under the theme "Energy and Artificial Intelligence / Africa and the Mediterranean Region.”

The session was opened by Giorgia Meloni, Prime Minister of the Italian Republic. At the beginning of his speech, the UAE President thanked Meloni for her kind invitation to participate in this important session.

Sheikh Mohamed noted that the world is currently facing numerous challenges with a particularly significant impact on the Middle East and Africa, especially in the energy sector. He emphasised the need for collective action and cooperation in addressing these challenges by leveraging emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, to offer sustainable solutions in the energy sector.

Sheikh Mohamed affirmed the UAE's keenness to establish an integrated system for artificial intelligence through programmes, legislation, initiatives, and partnerships. This, he stated, contributes to efforts to use these technologies to identify effective solutions for energy sustainability, ensure energy security, and achieve sustainable economic and social development. It also supports a fair and balanced transition in the energy sector, stemming from the UAE Consensus, which has served as a successful model for international cooperation.

Sheikh Mohamed expressed his hope that this important meeting would lay the foundation for a new phase of collective action, ensuring responsible engagement with emerging technologies. This engagement should prevent these technologies from widening the developmental gap between nations or increasing global polarisation and instead serve as a conduit for sustainable development, security, and prosperity for all.

Sheikh Mohamed ended his remarks by thanking Giorgia Meloni and the attendees for their kind attention.

At the conclusion of his speech, a video presentation highlighted the UAE's ambitious vision and aspirations to invest in artificial intelligence to advance sustainable energy and prosperity.

The video also showcased the UAE's significant achievements and initiatives in this field, featuring insights from several experts and officials, including Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications, and Faisal Al Bannai, Advisor to the UAE President for Strategic Research and Advanced Technology Affairs.The session on artificial intelligence and energy was also attended by other distinguished guests, including His Holiness Pope Francis, Head of the Catholic Church; Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, President of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania and current Chair of the African Union; and several invited leaders.

Sheikh Mohamed is welcomed by Giorgia Meloni on the second day of the G7 Summit in Savelletri, Italy, on Friday.

Earlier during the day, the UAE President arrived at the summit venue, where he was received by the Italian Prime Minister. Commemorative photos were taken of Sheikh Mohamed with Giorgia Meloni.

Below is the full text of His Highness the UAE President's speech at the session:Your Excellency Giorgia Meloni, Prime Minister of the Italian Republic, Your Holiness Pope Francis, Head of the Catholic Church, Your Excellencies, Distinguished guests,

First, I would like to extend my gratitude to Her Excellency Giorgia Meloni for her kind invitation to participate in this important session.

Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed arrives at Puglia airport, Italy, on Friday. WAM

His Highness is accompanied by a delegation that includes Sheikh Tahnoun Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi, National Security Adviser; Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan; Sheikh Mohammed Bin Hamad Bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Adviser for Special Affairs at the Presidential Court; Ali Bin Hammad Al Shamsi, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council for National Security; Reem Bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation; Dr Sultan Bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology; Omar Bin Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications; Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Executive Affairs Authority; Faisal Abdulaziz Al Bannai, Advisor to the UAE President for Strategic Research and Advanced Technology Affairs; Yousef Al Otaiba, UAE Ambassador to the US, Abdulla Ali AlSubousi, UAE Ambassador to the Republic of Italy.

WAM