The Emirate of Sharjah recently welcomed a high-level delegation from the Seoul AI Foundation and the Seoul Metropolitan Government. The visit, organized by the Sharjah Digital Department (SDD), aimed to explore ways to deepen collaboration and identify future partnership opportunities in artificial intelligence and smart government services.

His Excellency Sheikh Saud bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Director General of Sharjah Digital Department, greeted the Korean delegation at a meeting held at the House of Wisdom. The meeting also included His Excellency Rashid Ali Al Ali, Director General of Sharjah Communications Technologies Authority, His Excellency Shin Donghyup, Consul of the Republic of Korea for Science and ICT in Dubai, and Eng. Majid Almadhloum, an advisor at the Sharjah Digital Department.

The delegation consisted of several officials, including Ok-hyun Kang, General Director of the Digital City Bureau at the Seoul Metropolitan Government; Jung Yoon Lee, External Relations Manager at the Digital Policy Division; Man Gi Kim, President of the Seoul AI Foundation; Seong Hwan Ju, Head of the AI Innovation & Business Division at SAF; and Boris J. Kim, Senior Manager of the Policy Cooperation Team at SAF.

During the meeting, representatives from both sides discussed potential collaboration on joint AI-driven projects. They exchanged expertise in smart city development and assessed standout initiatives and best practices related to digital transformation and digital infrastructure.

His Excellency Sheikh Saud bin Sultan Al Qasimi emphasized the importance of the visit as a significant step toward establishing strategic partnerships with a leading city in digital transformation and artificial intelligence. He expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity to share insights and experiences with the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Seoul AI Foundation, noting that such collaboration “represents the most effective path toward achieving sustainable development that benefits our communities and aligns with our shared aspirations.” He expressed hope that this visit would pave the way for long-term collaboration, fostering innovative projects and more opportunities in AI and smart city development.

In addition, Man Gi Kim acknowledged Sharjah as a vital strategic partner in advanced technology sectors. He remarked that, “We regard Sharjah as one of Seoul’s key partner cities in the field of digital and AI-driven urban innovation,” and extended an official invitation for the Sharjah Digital Department to participate in Smart Life Week 2025 in Seoul. This event is recognized as one of Asia’s premier platforms for innovation and a leading technology event in South Korea.

Following the meeting, the delegation was taken on a field tour of significant urban development sites in Sharjah, including University City and the Aljada project. This tour highlighted Sharjah’s advanced smart infrastructure and urban planning, which are essential to its ongoing digital transformation efforts.

The visit concluded at the Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park (SRTIP), where the delegation examined cutting-edge research initiatives and smart labs that promote innovation and entrepreneurship, including the SOI Lab, which focuses on artificial intelligence applications.

This strategic visit reinforces Sharjah’s commitment to building global partnerships and enhancing its international leadership in digital transformation, in line with its vision to develop a sustainable and innovative digital city.