What is Pax Silica and why Qatar, UAE joined the US-led alliance

Earlier this month, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates joined Pax Silica, a US-led technology and economic security framework that Washington is using to coordinate supply chains for advanced technologies, as global competition over critical infrastructure intensifies.

Qatar signed the Pax Silica declaration on 12 January, followed days later by the UAE, bringing two Gulf states into an initiative that also includes Israel and a group of US allies in East Asia and Europe.

US officials say the framework focuses on semiconductors, AI, advanced computing, critical minerals and digital infrastructure, sectors increasingly treated by governments as strategic assets rather than purely commercial goods.

According to US Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth Jacob Helberg, the initiative reflects a US-led effort to place Israel and Gulf states within the same technology-focused economic framework, rather than a traditional security alliance, bypassing unresolved political issues, including Israel's genocide in Gaza.

What is Pax Silica?

Pax Silica was launched in late 2025 as part of Washington's broader economic statecraft strategy, aimed at reducing dependence on rival nations and addressing vulnerabilities exposed by geopolitical tensions, export controls and pandemic-era supply disruptions.

The name Pax Silica draws on the Latin word pax, meaning peace or stability, most famously used in phrases such as Pax Romana and Pax Americana to describe periods of geopolitical order. “Silica” refers to the compound refined into silicon, a key component in computer chips that underpin artificial intelligence and advanced computing.

US officials describe Pax Silica as a "coalition of capabilities", with participation based on each country's industrial strengths rather than formal defence commitments.

The initiative seeks to safeguard the full technology supply chain, from mineral extraction and processing to advanced manufacturing, computing capacity and data infrastructure.

Alongside supply-chain coordination, US officials say Pax Silica is also intended to support projects that modernise trade and logistics routes and promote regional integration using advanced US technologies.

Discussions have included initiatives such as the India–Middle East–Europe Corridor, as well as potential industrial and AI-related projects among member states.

Why Qatar and the UAE joined

For Qatar, official statements frame participation as a way to deepen cooperation in cloud infrastructure, semiconductors, advanced computing and digital technologies.

Qatari officials have pointed to growing investments in the digital economy, including artificial intelligence programmes and US-linked cloud and data-centre infrastructure, as areas that could benefit from closer coordination with Washington and other members.

Ahmed Al-Sayed, Qatar's minister of state for foreign trade affairs, said at the signing in Doha that the world was undergoing a significant transformation driven by AI, rising energy and mineral demands, and rapid technological advancements.

He described the declaration as "a new milestone in the Qatar–US partnership, founded on trust, shared interests, and a unified vision for advancing stability and prosperity".

Meanwhile, the UAE's accession has been framed around its role as a regional logistics and connectivity hub. US and Emirati officials have cited cooperation in data centres, advanced manufacturing, logistics, mineral processing, energy systems and future connectivity such as 6G, positioning the UAE as an operational link in global technology and supply chains.

Analysts and Gulf media note that for both states, joining Pax Silica offers access to technology partnerships, investment channels and policy coordination at a time when they are seeking to diversify their economies beyond hydrocarbons.

Participation also places them more firmly within US-led discussions on technology governance and supply-chain security.

Helberg has said he hopes the initiative can help accelerate the Middle East's economic transition away from energy dependence towards more technology-driven growth, describing the shift as a move from a hydrocarbon-centred security architecture to "silicon statecraft".

Who is in the alliance and what comes next

Pax Silica currently includes Australia, Japan, Israel, the Netherlands, Singapore, South Korea, the United Kingdom, Qatar and the UAE, alongside the United States, according to the US State Department.

Canada, the European Union, the OECD and Taiwan have participated as observers, while India is expected to join at a later stage.

US officials say the group will focus this year on expanding membership, developing strategic projects to secure supply chains and coordinating policies to protect critical infrastructure and technology.

The initiative met in Washington last month and is expected to convene several times in 2026.

The US State Department has said Helberg will outline the next phase of Pax Silica on Monday during a virtual media briefing following his recent tour of Qatar, the UAE and Israel, where he discussed future coordination among members.