Rabat – Start-Up Nation Central, a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering Israeli innovation, recently hosted an event commemorating the three-year anniversary of the historic Abraham Accords.
A series of agreements that normalized relations between Israel and several Arab states, the accords have not only reshaped the geopolitical landscape but have also ignited a wave of innovation and collaboration in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
The Abraham Accords were for the most part signed in the latter half of 2020, and they marked a significant shift in the prevailing dialogue within the MENA region. For most observers of the Middle East, these groundbreaking agreements transformed the discourse from one centered on defense and security to one focused on innovation and collaboration.
Three years after these seemingly paradigm-shifting accords were signed, it is becoming increasingly evident that innovation and technology have played a central role in shaping the business exchanges and partnerships among the signatory nations.
Chaired by Mr. Avi Hasson, CEO of Start-Up Nation Central, Start-Up Nation Central’s event featured distinguished guests, including Khaled Youssef Al-Jalahma, Ambassador of Bahrain to Israel, and Ms. Stephanie Hallet, Charge d’Affaires of the US to Israel. Together, they highlighted the remarkable progress and untapped potential that has emerged since the signing of the Abraham Accords.
‘Connect to innovate’
Over the past three years, they argued, cooperation in the fields of technology and innovation has witnessed remarkable developments. One notable example of this cooperation is the “Connect to Innovate” conferences hosted by Israel’s Start-Up Nation Central in collaboration with Moroccan and Bahraini partners.
Held in Manama and Marrakech, these conferences as well as a regional event focused on women’s leadership, have facilitated meaningful exchanges and partnerships among entrepreneurs, innovation hubs, and companies from the countries that have signed the US-brokered accords.
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Ambassador Khaled Youssef Al-Jalahma of Bahrain emphasized the importance of these initiatives and the role they play in fostering collaboration. He also highlighted the establishment of a Fellowship program through the Sheba Medical Center, which enables doctors and medical students from Bahrain and Israel to engage in knowledge exchange, further strengthening the regional healthcare ecosystem.
A significant milestone in the journey of cooperation between Bahrain and Israel was marked in March 2023 with an event that brought together companies from both nations to explore areas of mutual interest, particularly innovation. More than 600 companies attended the event, resulting in the signing of several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) that promise to usher in a new era of innovation-driven collaboration.
The impact of the Abraham Accords extends beyond bilateral relationships. Start-Up Nation Central has been working closely with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on numerous projects. A recent memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed with Abu Dhabi Global Market, the leading financial center of Abu Dhabi, aims to promote collaboration and investment opportunities in both Israel and the UAE, further strengthening the ties between these nations.
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Deputy Mayor of Jerusalem, Fleur Hassan-Nahoum, reflected on the Accords’ journey and noted: “Whereas the first two years were about celebrating the many ‘firsts,’ this past year was about concretizing the relationships made and focusing on a more integrated region.”
She highlighted the success of the FemForward MENA cohort, a program initiated three years ago to address the lack of career advancement opportunities for women in the tech sector across the MENA region. This program has brought together women from Morocco and Israel, fostering skills, mentorship, and collaboration.
Guy Rayev, Chief Business Development at SupPlant, spoke about the revolution on Agriculture in Morocco. The company that partnered with Moroccan company Rahtech, SupPlant’s offer aims to enable farmers to improve their productivity while lowering costs, particularly in terms of water consumption.
The company focuses on “changing the basic concept of irrigation methods and basing itself on the real and instantaneous needs of plants” and its “technology is proven to save water on a global scale while improving productivity and yields,” said Rayev.
Ms. Stephanie Hallet, Charge d’Affaires of the US to Israel, spoke passionately about the benefits of the Abraham Accords. She shed light on Project Prosperity, a venture supported by the US, facilitating the exchange of desalinated water and sustainable electricity between Jordan and Israel, with the participation of Emirati company Mazda.
This project exemplifies the tangible impact of the Accords, transcending borders and advancing shared prosperity.
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Looking ahead, the vision appears to be for the Accords to attract new members. In particular, Ms. Stephanie Hallet expressed aspirations to expand the Accords further, with Saudi Arabia being a prominent target for future collaboration. The potential for broader regional cooperation looms large, with other Arab nations showing interest in partnering with Israel.
