Our SecretaryGeneral
H.E. Faisal Al Bannai was appointed as the Secretary General of the Emirates Research and Development Council (ERDC), guiding the UAE’s national R&D policy and innovation ecosystem to drive long-term economic and societal progress.
Driving the UAE’s global leadership in frontier technologies.
As Secretary General of ERDC, His Excellency Faisal Al Bannai leads the development of the UAE’s national R&D strategy, policy, and regulatory frameworks. Working under the leadership of H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, he aligns research efforts with national priorities, shapes core infrastructure to catalyse private sector investment, and positions the UAE’s innovation ecosystem for global leadership. Guided by the vision of the UAE leadership, His Excellency is a key force driving the nation’s advancement in frontier technologies, including artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, and quantum computing.
Beyond ERDC, he serves as Ministerial Advisor to the UAE President for Strategic Research and Advanced Technology Affairs, Secretary General of the Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC), and Chairman of the Board of Directors at EDGE Group. In recognition of his distinguished career, H.E. Al Bannai was awarded the UAE’s Pride of the Emirates medal and a Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2024, he was also internationally recognised on the TIME100 list of the most influential leaders in AI.
