I2U2 summit moots food, energy projects
THE leaders of Israel, India, the US and the UAE announced on Thursday (14) a pair of massive collaborative projects in food security and clean energy after they met at a virtual summit during US President Joe Biden's visit to Jerusalem.
Biden, Prime Minister Yair Lapid, UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi made the announcement in a joint statement their offices issued during their virtual meeting - the highest-level gathering to date of the new, US-formulated I2U2 forum.
In public remarks before the closed-door meeting, the four leaders stressed the importance of working together to address global challenges.
‘We need to think in new terms when it comes to energy, food security, water tech, defense and trade,' Lapid said. ‘In the 21st century, challenges are local but solutions are global.'
Biden said the meeting is 'about demonstrating the importance of showing the practical impacts' of Israel's growing integration.
‘Our challenge together is to deliver real results that people can feel in their everyday lives,' he added. ‘We can do a great deal if we stick together,' the president concludes, stressing that he intends to stay engaged on the matter.
‘Under the I2U2 framework, we have agreed to increase joint investment in six important areas: water, energy, transport, space, health and food security. It is clear that both the vision and agenda of I2U2 are progressive and practical,' Modi said.
‘I also hope that our quartet will be a model for those who desire peace and prosperity,' bin Zayed said.
US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters en route to Israel on Wednesday that bringing together Israel, India and the UAE, particularly to utilize their expertise to address food security challenges, fulfills Biden's vision of a ‘more integrated, more globally engaged Middle East.'
‘We think I2U2 can become a feature of the broader region, just as the Quad,' Sullivan said.