Sheikh Zayed Attends RoboCup Asia-Pacific 2025 Inauguration in Abu Dhabi
RoboCup Asia-Pacific 2025 Inauguration: On 12 November 2025, His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan attended the official inauguration of the 8th edition of RoboCup Asia‑Pacific 2025 (RCAP 2025) in Abu Dhabi. Organized by Khalifa University, this landmark event held as part of the first-ever Abu Dhabi Autonomous Week 2025 marked the first time the competition has taken place in the MENA region.
Sheikh Zayed toured multiple competition areas, inspected robotics projects from student teams across the globe and emphasised that investing in AI and robotics technologies is foundational to future development. He noted that nurturing young talent and promoting R&D contributes to strengthening Abu Dhabi’s position as a global innovation hub and supports the UAE’s transition to a knowledge-based economy.
Sheikh Zayed attends RoboCup Asia-Pacific 2025 inauguration Makes the Event Special
- Global Scale & Participation: Sheikh Zayed attends RoboCup Asia-Pacific 2025 inauguration drew over 170 teams and 700+ participants from more than 30 countries. Among them: 22 teams from Singapore (61 students, 55 officials), 18 Egyptian teams, 18 Russian teams, 10 Chinese teams and 12 UAE teams comprising 44 local students.
- Comprehensive Competition Format: RCAP 2025 spans eight main competitions and 15 sub-challenges, including leagues such as RoboCup Soccer (Standard Platform, Humanoid, Simulation 2D), RoboCupJunior (Soccer, Rescue, OnStage) and CoSpace challenges for autonomous driving and rescue.
- Alignment with Innovation & STEM: When Sheikh Zayed attends RoboCup Asia-Pacific 2025 inauguration, it signals more than event attendance, it signals a commitment to STEM education, youth empowerment and national capability building. Professor Ebrahim Al Hajri, President of Khalifa University, described hosting RCAP as a major milestone for the UAE’s robotics ecosystem and for positioning Abu Dhabi as a leader in AI and innovation.
Why the Occasion Matters
- Demonstrating Regional Leadership: By hosting RCAP 2025 and with leadership presence as Sheikh Zayed attends RoboCup Asia-Pacific 2025 inauguration, Abu Dhabi is demonstrating its ability to attract global technology and innovation events, further reinforcing its status as a key destination for advanced research, development and talent-building.
- Driving Youth Engagement: The event’s educational impact is significant. Young participants gain hands-on experience in cutting-edge robotics, autonomous systems and competitive teamwork experiences that are central to future careers in AI, engineering and advanced manufacturing. The event encourages local students and global peers alike to innovate and excel.
- Supporting the Innovation Ecosystem: By aligning major events like RCAP 2025 with national strategies (e.g., UAE Vision 2031, Abu Dhabi’s industrial diversification goals), the leadership is reinforcing the connection between elite events, research capacity, industry attraction and talent development. The fact that Sheikh Zayed attends RoboCup Asia-Pacific 2025 inauguration underscores this strategic alignment.
What Was Highlighted During the Opening
Sheikh Zayed toured robotics demonstrations from student teams and international contingents, observing humanoid robots, autonomous vehicles and simulated rescue operations.
He emphasised that artificial-intelligence and robotics are core to the next wave of industrial transformation “investing in AI, robotics technologies and autonomous systems will serve as a fundamental pillar in the journey of future development.”
The event is being held at venues across Abu Dhabi from 12-15 November 2025, with the overarching theme “Artificial Intelligence and Robotics for a Sustainable Future.”
Read more at Gulf News – Zayed bin Mohamed bin Zayed attends inauguration of RoboCup Asia-Pacific 2025.
Looking Ahead: What Comes After the Inauguration
With the opening complete, the real impact begins for participants, students, researchers and industry. Outcomes to anticipate:
- Expansion of the UAE’s robotics and autonomous-systems education programs increasing accessibility of STEM learning for youth.
- Partnerships between student teams, universities and industry partners emerging from the connections made at RCAP 2025.
- Enhanced visibility for Abu Dhabi in global innovation rankings, attracting future events, companies and research investments.
- Growth of the local talent pipeline: students who compete today may design tomorrow’s intelligent systems, contributing to the UAE’s vision of a tech-powered, sustainable economy.
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