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HomeUnder Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment...I2U2

# I2U2 

India, Israel, United Arab Emirates, United States

i2u2 projects

Private sector

Events

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contact us

The heads of government of India, Israel, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and the United States convened the first leaders’ summit on July 14, 2022, to establish the I2U2 Group. This unique grouping of countries identifies bankable projects and initiatives to tackle some of the greatest challenges confronting our world, with a particular focus on joint investments and new initiatives in **water, energy, transportation, space, health, food security, and technology**. 

The Group aims to mobilize private sector capital and expertise to achieve a variety of goals, including modernizing infrastructure, advancing low carbon development pathways, and improving public health.  I2U2 partnership projects and initiatives are not limited in geographic scope – the Group will explore opportunities anywhere it can make a positive impact. 

> 
I2U2 is a partnership between India, Israel, the UAE, and the U.S. that’s working to tackle global challenges and advance economic opportunities.
Under Secretary Fernandez

## How to Participate

The I2U2 Group invites submission of project proposals.

### Leadership

The I2U2 Group is currently being led by senior government representatives of each partner country, including the following four high-level officials, who work together closely and report back to the heads of government.  

#### India

Dammu Ravi

Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs

#### Israel

Jacob Blitshtein

Director-General, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

#### The United Arab Emirates

H.E. Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh

Minister of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

#### United States

Jose W. Fernandez

Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment

# Partnership Projects and Initiatives

## Existing Projects and Initiatives

**Food Security:**  The UAE – home to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and host of COP28 (2023) – aims to invest $2 billion to develop a series of integrated food parks across India that will incorporate state-of-the-art climate-smart technologies to reduce food waste and spoilage, conserve fresh water, and employ renewable energy sources. India will provide appropriate land for the project and will facilitate farmers’ integration into the food parks. U.S. and Israeli private sectors will be invited to lend their expertise and offer innovative solutions that contribute to the overall sustainability of the project. These investments will help maximize crop yields and, in turn, help tackle food insecurity in South Asia and the Middle East. 

**Clean Energy:**  The I2U2 Group will advance a hybrid renewable energy project in India’s Gujarat State, consisting of wind and solar capacity complemented by a battery energy storage system. The U.S. Trade and Development Agency funded a feasibility study for the project. UAE-based companies are exploring opportunities to serve as critical knowledge partners. Israel and the United States are working with the UAE and India to highlight private sector opportunities. Indian companies are keen to participate in this project and contribute to India’s goal of achieving 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030. Such projects have the potential to make India a global hub for alternate supply chains in the renewable energy sector.

**Space Venture:** Primarily using their space-based observation data and capabilities, India, Israel, the UAE, and the United States, all signatories of the Artemis Accords, aim to create a unique space-based tool for policymakers, institutions, and entrepreneurs, enabling their work on environmental and climate change challenges and furthering the I2U2 partner countries’ cooperation in the applications of space data for the greater good of humanity.

**AIM for Climate Initiative:**  Israel, the UAE, and the United States welcomed India to the Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate initiative (AIM for Climate) at the I2U2 Business Forum in February 2023.  AIM for Climate is a joint initiative launched by the UAE and the United States, which seeks to address climate change and global hunger by uniting participants to significantly increase investment in, and other support for, climate-smart agriculture and food systems innovation over five years (2021–2025). 

              - India Joins the Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate

> 
Terrific to have India join the @AIMforClimate initiative with @State_E today in the UAE. India is an important leader on climate-smart agriculture, and together we can use AIM4C to drive more investment in innovation needed to feed the world in the face of the climate crisis. https://t.co/KV5eyZMCyD
— Special Presidential Envoy John Kerry (@ClimateEnvoy) February 22, 2023

## Criteria to Participate in I2U2

An I2U2 Committee, comprised of delegates from the four member countries, will consider projects and initiatives on an individual basis that meet the following criteria:   

              - Fall into at least one of the following seven sectors:  

              - Water 
              - Climate/energy 
              - Transportation 

              - Space 
              - Health 
              - Food security 
              - Technology 

              - Preferably operate in the Middle East, India, the United States, or Africa. However, the I2U2 Group will consider opportunities anywhere in the world.   

              - Allow each of the four partner countries—India, Israel, the UAE, and the United States—to benefit from and/or contribute to the project.  For example, I2U2 projects or initiatives may*: 

              - Receive funding, including loans, from I2U2 partner countries 

              - Create opportunities for the private sector in I2U2 partner countries 
              - Create jobs for residents of I2U2 partner countries 
              - Modernize I2U2 partner countries’ infrastructure 
              - Advance low carbon development pathways for I2U2 partner countries’ industries 
              - Improve public health and access to vaccines 

              - Advance physical connectivity between I2U2 partner countries 
              - Jointly create new solutions for waste treatment 
              - Connect I2U2 partner countries’ startups to I2U2 investments 
              - Promote the development of critical emerging and green technologies 
              - Increase food and energy security 

**Note: benefits and contributions are illustrative and not limited to these examples* 

              - Priority will be given to projects based on cooperation and/or involvement of participants from all four I2U2 partner countries. 

Projects and initiatives may qualify for one of two categories as determined by the I2U2 Committee, which is comprised of the four member countries: 

**Tier 1:**A project or initiative that the I2U2 Committee determines as having met the criteria above and shows strong potential to advance I2U2’s objectives.  Tier 1 projects or initiatives are eligible to access the full suite of support identified *below*.

**Tier 2:** A project or initiative that the I2U2 Committee determines as demonstrating potential for Tier 1 status but has not sufficiently met the criteria above. For example, the project or initiative may be in the early stages of development, on hold to complete a feasibility study to determine its viability, or waiting for financing.  Tier 2 projects or initiatives are considered candidates for Tier 1 status and should advance within a reasonable period of time, as determined by the I2U2 Committee, or risk losing Tier 2 status.  Tier 2 projects or initiatives are **not** eligible to access the full suite of support identified *below*.

## Benefits to Participating in I2U2

Tier 1 I2U2 projects and initiatives enjoy a number of concrete benefits, some of which may include*:    

              - Encouragement and support by the four I2U2 partner countries.  Responsibility, control, and oversight of your project or initiative will ultimately reside with you, but the I2U2 Group will, as appropriate, assist in the explanation of requirements and processes related to your project or initiative; include you in events involving government officials, financiers, technical experts, or private sector participants; or recommend development finance products and services.  

              - Networking opportunities with investors, project developers, and project managers.  Whether through official engagements, such as the I2U2 Business Forum in Abu Dhabi, or through private introductions, the I2U2 Group can leverage its vast network of public and private sector actors for the purpose of I2U2 projects.  

              - Reporting on your project or initiative.  The I2U2 Group will report on I2U2 projects and initiatives through business forums, conferences, roundtables, and social media, which reach hundreds of thousands of viewers and participants.       

  **Legal disclaimer: benefits are illustrative and are neither guaranteed nor limited to these examples. I2U2 does not endorse any businesses or services, and engagement with I2U2 should not be construed as an endorsement.* 

## How to Participate in I2U2

There is no monetary cost associated with partnering with I2U2. 

The I2U2 Group invites you to submit a proposal if you feel your project or initiative meets the relevant criteria. Please complete this template.Submit your complete proposal to *I2U2@state.gov.* Please see submission flow chart below.  Note that processing times are estimates.  We will reach out to you if we have any questions or require additional information.  

*Disclaimer: the number of weeks for the I2U2 Group to complete the vetting process is only an estimate. The complexity of project submissions varies, so the time required to vet them will vary accordingly. * 

1 Country from which project originates conducts initial vetting to ensure it meets the basic requirements (e.g., submission template complete, eligible sector, benefit to and role of each I2U2 country clearly identified).   

2 The I2U2 Committee is comprised of a representative from each of the four I2U2 member countries.

3 Tier 1 membership: A project or initiative that the I2U2 Committee determines as having met the criteria above and shows strong potential to advance I2U2’s objectives.  Tier 1 projects or initiatives are eligible to access the full suite of support identified above.

4 Tier 2 membership: A project or initiative that the I2U2 Committee determines as demonstrating potential for Tier 1 status but has not sufficiently met the criteria above.  For example, the project or initiative may be in the early stages of development, fall outside the scope of eligible sectors, or not benefit the four member countries.  Tier 2 projects or initiatives are considered candidates for Tier 1 status and should advance within a reasonable period of time, as determined by the I2U2 Committee, or risk losing Tier 2 status.  Tier 2 projects or initiatives are not eligible to access the full suite of support identified above.

# Private Sector Initiatives

## I2U2 Business Coalition 

The I2U2 Business Coalition is a private sector initiative formed in April 2023 by the U.S.-UAE Business Council, the UAE-Israel Business Council, and the UAE-India Business Council.   

The coalition aims to  

              - Convene a series of events in India, Israel, the UAE, and the United States to draw attention to the I2U2 initiative and bring greater awareness to its potential for the business community. 
              - Publish a series of studies and white papers by leading U.S., Emirati, Indian, and Israeli think tanks, scholars, and thought-leaders about I2U2’s potential. 
              - Create a series of video interviews about the I2U2 initiative that can be jointly shared on the coalition’s platform. 

## I2U2 Private Enterprise Partnership

The I2U2 Private Enterprise Partnership is a public-private partnership signed in September 2023 between the U.S. Department of State and the U.S.-UAE Business Council, the UAE-Israel Business Council, and the UAE-India Business Council. The Memorandum of Understanding is available here.   

**Disclaimer: Unless otherwise noted, private sector initiatives listed on this page do not have any official affiliation with the I2U2 Group or any of four member countries.* 

# I2U2 Engagements and Media

# Upcoming Engagements

              - Convening at UNGA 78 in New York City

# Past Engagements 

## **2023**

### Inaugural Business Forum in Abu Dhabi

              - Expanding Regional Economic Integration through I2U2’s Business-to-Business Cooperation
              - Inaugural I2U2 Business Forum Convened to Accelerate Joint Investment in Key Sectors 

> 
Our countries are committed to the shared goals of prosperity, peace, and innovation and we are focused on advancing mutually beneficial economic priorities – a partnership based in cooperation, not competition.  This initiative spans regions and sets a precedent for what is possible.
Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment – Jose W. Fernandez

----

## **2022**

### The Wilson Center in Washington D.C

              - The Road Ahead for I2U2: An American, Emirati, Israeli, and Indian Partnership 

### Convening at UNGA 77 in New York City 

              - Under Secretary Fernandez Convenes I2U2 Counterparts from India, the UAE, and Israel on the Margins of UNGA 77

### I2U2 Leaders’ Summit in Israel

> 
Together, the I2U2 will harness the vibrancy and entrepreneurial spirit of our nations to tackle some of the greatest challenges confronting our world.
President of the United States – Joe Biden

              - Leaders of India, Israel, United Arab Emirates, and the United States (I2U2) share the countries’ aim to cooperate on joint investments and new initiatives in water, energy, transportation, space, health, and food security 

# I2U2 FAQs

***Q: What is the I2U2 grouping?*** 

I2U2 was initially formed during a virtual ministerial call hosted by Secretary Blinken with his I2U2 counterparts in October 2021. The United States and our I2U2 counterparts have since transformed this group from a concept to reality.    

On July 14, 2022, the heads of state of India, Israel, the UAE, and the United States virtually convened the first leaders’ meeting of I2U2.  

This unique grouping of countries aims to promote high-quality sustainable investment among partner countries by combining our respective innovative, technological, and productive capacities, skilled workforces, and entrepreneurial dynamism, and advancing the strategic convergence of our nations.  These investments will: 1) modernize our infrastructure; 2) help advance the decarbonization of our industries; and 3) promote the development and diffusion of critical emerging and green technologies that will expand our shared prosperity, improve the health of our citizens, and serve as a model for promoting regional partnerships that create employment and opportunities for our workers.  We will harness the entrepreneurial spirit to tackle common challenges, with a particular focus on joint investments and new initiatives in six areas: water, energy, transportation, space, health, and food security.  

We also intend to:  

              - Mobilize private sector capital and expertise to modernize infrastructure.  
              - Advance low carbon development pathways for our industries.  
              - Build resilience in the supply chain for key industries effecting national security concerns such as: food security, health sector services, and critical resource access. 
              - Improve public health and access to vaccines.  
              - Advance physical connectivity between countries in the Middle East region.  

              - Jointly create new solutions for waste treatment.  
              - Explore joint financing opportunities.  
              - Connect our startups to I2U2 investments.  
              - Promote the development of critical emerging and green technologies, all while ensuring near- and long-term food and energy security.    
              - Reaffirm our support for the Abraham Accords and other peace and normalization arrangements with Israel.    

***Q: Why is this forum limited to these four countries? *** 

While our current focus in this forum is on initiatives implemented within the four I2U2 countries, we are interested in collectively exploring other opportunities in the Middle East, North Africa, and beyond and will consider, at a future date, formal participation in the I2U2 of interested countries that share our goals.  

In close consultation with our I2U2 partners, we will look to expand I2U2 to address additional global challenges beyond the seven initial sectors outlined today.   

This group exists as one of many other multilateral fora aimed at increasing regional integration such as the Negev Forum – in which the governments of Bahrain, Egypt, Israel, Morocco, and the UAE participate.   

***Q: What are some of the projects being initiated?  *** 

The food security project in India takes an innovative approach at building long-term food systems resilience and more diversified food production and delivery systems.    

The project will advance climate-smart agricultural innovation in I2U2 countries to enhance both climate change mitigation and resilience in agriculture.   

These efforts will be complementary to the Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate (AIM for Climate), which the United States, the UAE, India, and Israel are all actively working to advance.   

Israel intends to lend its expertise to a research center dedicated to maximizing the efficiency and sustainability of the project.    

The United States intends to work with our I2U2 partners and the U.S. business communities to highlight potential opportunities for U.S. private sector participation in this project.   

The Dwarka clean energy project in India aligns with our four countries’ recognition of the urgent need to address the climate crisis while strengthening energy security.    

The U.S. Trade and Development Agency funded a feasibility study for this hybrid wind and solar project complemented by a battery storage system in India’s Gujarat State.    

***Q: What is the status of these two projects? Are these the only outputs? *** 

We’re happy with the progress on both of these projects.    

ADQ, the potential UAE investor in the food security project, is continuing to conduct due diligence, and the I2U2 partners are exploring opportunities for private sector participation.  

Our partners on the wind, solar, and battery project in Gujarat are also conducting due diligence, and we continue to highlight potential opportunities for the private sector to participate in the project. 

# Contact Us

For questions about I2U2, send a message to: I2U2@state.gov.  For media inquiries, please contact: E_Communications@state.gov.  

***Stay updated by following the hashtag: #I2U2.*** 

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