His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan attended the opening ceremony of the 8th edition of RoboCup Asia-Pacific (RCAP 2025), organized by Khalifa University of Science and Technology. The event is held as part of the inaugural Abu Dhabi Autonomous Week and is being hosted for the first time in the MENA region under the theme "Artificial Intelligence and Robotics for a Sustainable Future."
RCAP 2025 features more than 170 teams and over 700 participants, including 22 teams from Singapore, 18 from Egypt, 18 from Russia, 10 from China, and 12 teams from the UAE. The competition includes eight main competitions and 15 sub-challenges across Soccer, OnStage, and Rescue leagues, including RoboCupJunior for young students.
During the event, His Highness toured competition areas and reviewed cutting-edge robotics projects. He emphasized that investing in AI, robotics, and autonomous systems will serve as a fundamental pillar for future development, noting that nurturing young talent and promoting R&D strengthens Abu Dhabi's position as a global platform for innovation and a destination for future industries, aligned with the emirate's vision of a knowledge-based economy.
His Excellency Professor Ebrahim Al Hajri, President of Khalifa University, stated: "Hosting RCAP 2025 in Abu Dhabi marks a major milestone for Khalifa University, the UAE and regional robotics ecosystem, highlighting Abu Dhabi's role as a regional centre for advanced robotics and AI research. This aligns with Abu Dhabi's vision to become a leader in technology and innovation, and the UAE Vision 2031, showcasing how AI and robotics can transform industries." He added that the event will generate interest in STEM subjects and attract top global talent in AI and robotics.
Alya Al Hosani, Executive Director of Community Affairs at Mubadala Investment Company, said: "Mubadala is proud to support RoboCup Asia-Pacific 2025, a distinguished platform that underscores the UAE's leadership in innovation and technology. Our commitment to advancing youth engagement in STEM education and fostering innovation in fields such as robotics reflects our dedication to nurturing the next generation of talent."
Dr. Hamad Karaki, General Chairman of RCAP 2025, noted: "The number of participating teams and the diversity of competitions strongly reflect Abu Dhabi's ability to attract top-tier technology experts to compete through the latest AI technologies." The event aims to strengthen the UAE's robotics ecosystem following initiatives to create an AI-powered government, including 100% digitization of processes and deployment of over 200 AI solutions, positioning the UAE as a global magnet for technology leaders.
