On January 14, 2026, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) took a significant step onto the global technology stage by joining Pax Silica, a U.S.-led coalition aimed at fortifying supply chain cooperation in artificial intelligence (AI), critical minerals, and a host of other strategically vital sectors. According to Yonhap News Agency, this move brings the coalition’s membership to nine, with South Korea, the United States, Australia, Israel, Japan, Qatar, Singapore, Britain, and now the UAE forming a united front. India, another major player in the technology sphere, is set to join the coalition in February 2026, expanding its reach and influence even further.
The coalition, launched in December 2025, is a direct response to the mounting global competition over advanced technologies and critical resources, particularly as the United States seeks to counter China’s growing dominance in these fields. Pax Silica’s name itself is telling—‘pax’ from Latin, meaning peace and stability, and ‘silica’ referencing the compound refined into silicon, the backbone of computer chips that power everything from AI to smartphones. The coalition’s aims are ambitious: to strengthen supply chain security, reduce coercive dependencies and single points of failure, and foster the adoption of trusted technology ecosystems.
In a joint statement released by the U.S. State Department, Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg and UAE Minister of State Saeed Bin Mubarak Al Hajeri emphasized their shared commitment to “jointly pursue multilayered partnerships that strengthen supply chain security, address coercive dependencies and single points of failure, and advance the adoption of trusted technology ecosystems.” The statement further outlined plans to explore flagship projects spanning 6G connectivity, compute and data centers, advanced manufacturing, logistics, mineral refining and processing, and energy.
The December 12, 2025, Pax Silica summit in Washington, as reported by Yonhap, saw senior officials from South Korea, the United States, Japan, and other coalition members gather to chart a path forward. The summit underscored the urgency of securing the supply chains that underpin modern technology, especially as the world becomes ever more reliant on semiconductors, high-performance batteries, and advanced display systems. The coalition’s formation is widely seen as a strategic maneuver in the intensifying rivalry between Washington and Beijing, with both superpowers vying for control over the resources and technologies that will define the next era of global innovation.
South Korea, a technological powerhouse in its own right, has been especially active in this arena. On the same day as the UAE’s accession to Pax Silica, South Korea’s Ministry of Science and ICT announced a sweeping investment plan for 2026: 235.1 billion won (approximately $180 million) earmarked for developing core technologies in semiconductors, displays, and secondary batteries. According to the Ministry, this ‘2026 Core Technology Development Project’ will launch six new initiatives with 24 billion won in funding, targeting the very sectors at the heart of the global supply chain race.
In the semiconductor sector, the South Korean government will continue to back the development of next-generation core technologies—intelligent semiconductors, Processing-In-Memory (PIM) chips, compound semiconductors, advanced packaging, fine substrates, and 3D DRAM. Notably, new projects will focus on optical semiconductor technology, advanced ceramic materials for packaging and power semiconductors, and the localization of core intellectual property (IP) for automotive semiconductors designed to withstand harsh environments. The Ministry’s plan also includes sustained investment in long-term, specialized research and the training of master’s and doctoral-level experts in system semiconductors and advanced packaging.
Displays, another area where South Korea leads the world, are receiving a fresh wave of support. The government will fund strategic research labs based on private sector demand and push for breakthroughs in ultra-high-resolution ‘On-Silicon Display’ technology, aiming to secure what officials call a “super-gap” in future display capabilities. As flexible screens become more integrated into daily life, the Ministry is also launching the Next-generation Converged Freeform Display Core Technology Development Project, which seeks to develop sensor-converged displays that move beyond the limitations of current touch-based interfaces.
The battery sector is equally crucial, especially as electrification and wireless systems become the norm across industries. The Ministry’s initiatives include continued research into next-generation batteries—aqueous zinc-ion, sodium-ion, and lithium-metal batteries—as well as the training of advanced experts and international cooperation projects, particularly with the United States. A new focus on recyclable aluminum-air batteries for future mobility applications signals the government’s intent to preemptively secure technologies that could shape the next wave of green transportation.
For those interested in the nuts and bolts of these projects, the Ministry of Science and ICT will announce detailed information, including application timelines and procedures, on the National Research Foundation of Korea’s website at the end of January 2026. This transparency reflects South Korea’s commitment to mobilizing both public and private sectors in the race for technological supremacy.
Behind these moves lies a broader context. The world’s dependence on a handful of countries for critical technology components—especially semiconductors—has become a source of anxiety for governments and businesses alike. Disruptions in the supply chain, whether from geopolitical tensions, natural disasters, or pandemics, can ripple across the globe, impacting everything from car manufacturing to smartphone availability. By joining forces through coalitions like Pax Silica and investing heavily in R&D, countries are seeking to insulate themselves from these shocks and assert greater control over their technological destinies.
Washington’s push for “AI dominance” and supply chain resilience, as noted by Yonhap, is not just about economics—it’s about national security and global influence. The inclusion of partners from diverse regions—the Middle East, Asia, Europe, and Oceania—signals a recognition that no single nation can go it alone in today’s interconnected world. Each member brings unique strengths to the table: South Korea’s prowess in semiconductors and displays, the UAE’s strategic location and resources, Japan’s manufacturing expertise, and so on.
Looking ahead, the expansion of Pax Silica and the ramping up of national investments in core technologies are likely to shape the contours of global competition for years to come. With India poised to join the coalition next month, the group’s collective weight will only increase, potentially setting new standards for cooperation and innovation in the technology sector.
As the race for technological leadership accelerates, the stakes have never been higher. The decisions made today—about alliances, investments, and research priorities—will reverberate far into the future, determining not just who leads in AI or battery technology, but who sets the rules for the digital economy of tomorrow.