Ireland Gulf Impact Corridor is becoming a defining theme for the next generation of collaboration between Ireland and the Gulf.
Kevin Holliday, CEO EMEA at Venturebeam, led a high-level discussion at Impact Ireland 2025 on strengthening capital and capability flows between Ireland and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). The session explored how shared national strategies — Ireland’s Impact Economy agenda, the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 vision, and Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 — can align to deliver measurable, long-term impact.
The panel featured His Excellency Mohammed Al Shamsi (UAE Ambassador to Ireland), Dr Tayeb Kamali (Chair, Abu Dhabi School of Management) and Ahmad Younis (Secretary General & CEO, Arab-Irish Chamber of Commerce). Together they examined how sovereign and family capital from the Gulf can partner with Ireland’s innovation and research base to accelerate outcomes in education, AI, energy transition, and sustainable finance.
“This corridor is more than capital; it’s shared purpose,” said Ambassador Al Shamsi. “By connecting the Gulf’s scale and ambition with Ireland’s creativity and research excellence, we can create enduring value for future generations.”
Dr Kamali emphasised collaboration between universities to develop future-ready talent for the AI era, while Younis highlighted the natural trade synergy between the two regions — the Arab world imports 90 per cent of its food and pharmaceuticals, while Ireland exports 90 per cent. Holliday concluded that such complementarities make Ireland a trusted gateway for Gulf investment into Europe’s impact economy.
Watch the full panel discussion in the Impact Ireland 2025 Playlist or explore all highlights in Impact Must Be Measured — The Global Advisory Council 2025 Recap.
