The United Arab Emirates and Qatar are set to join Pax Silica, a US-led strategic initiative aimed at securing and strengthening global technology and semiconductor supply chains. The move signals a signifi
ant step for the Gulf nations in diversifying their economies and deepening their roles in the global tech landscape.
According to Jacob Helberg, US Undersecretary of State for Economic Affairs, Qatar is expected to sign the declaration on January 12, with the UAE following on January 15. The inclusion of the two Gulf states is a key part of a broader US strategy to integrate Israel and Gulf partners into a shared, technology-focused economic framework.
A Coalition of Capabilities
Pax Silica operates not as a traditional treaty alliance, but as what Helberg describes as a “coalition of capabilities.” The initiative brings together key nations based on their industrial strengths and the capabilities of their leading companies.
The group already includes tech powerhouses such as Israel, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Britain, and Australia. The framework is designed to protect the entire technology supply chain, from the mining of critical minerals and advanced manufacturing to high-performance computing and data infrastructure.
From Hydrocarbons to Silicon Statecraft
This strategic partnership marks a pivotal economic and security policy shift for the region. Helberg noted that the initiative could accelerate the Middle East’s transition away from energy dependence and toward technology-driven growth.
“The Silicon Declaration isn’t just a diplomatic communiqué,” Helberg told Reuters. “It’s meant to be an operational document for a new economic security consensus.”
He added, “For the UAE and Qatar, this marks a shift from a hydrocarbon-centric security architecture to one focused on silicon statecraft.”
Strategic Goals and Expansion
The announcement comes as global leaders gather for Saudi Arabia’s Future Minerals Forum in Riyadh. For the upcoming year, Pax Silica will focus on expanding its membership, launching strategic projects to de-risk critical supply chains, and coordinating policies to protect vital infrastructure and advanced technologies from geopolitical rivals.
The program is a core element of the current administration’s economic strategy to reduce dependency on adversarial nations and foster deeper cooperation among allied partners in high-stakes sectors like semiconductors, AI infrastructure, and critical minerals.
About Pax Silica
Pax Silica is a US-led framework designed to secure and protect the full global technology supply chain. It brings together allied nations with significant industrial capabilities to foster cooperation in areas ranging from critical minerals and advanced manufacturing to computing and data infrastructure. The initiative aims to create a new economic security consensus among its members, strengthening their collective resilience against supply chain disruptions.
Source: meatechwatch
