CTED: A Collaborative Global Innovation Hub
CTED collaborates with leading global institutions to advance agricultural innovation through initiatives such as AIM for Scale, strengthen economic policymaking in partnership with the UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism, and shape the future of emerging technologies through collaborations with Ripple’s University Blockchain Research Initiative (UBRI). These partnerships reflect CTED’s commitment to rigorous research, data-driven insights, and real-world impact. Through long-standing fieldwork, advanced analytical expertise, and deep engagement with governments and development partners, CTED helps move proven ideas from early-stage evidence to large-scale adoption that transforms livelihoods and strengthens national systems.
AIM for Scale
AIM for Scale is a global initiative of the Gates Foundation and the United Arab Emirates dedicated to identifying and scaling cost-effective agricultural innovations that can improve the lives of millions of farmers. Hosted at NYU Abu Dhabi, the Secretariat is supported by CTED, which contributes analytical and economic research that informs the initiative’s priorities and evidence base—including work on digital advisory systems, AI-powered weather forecasts, and the Livestock Innovation Package. Through this support, CTED has helped strengthen key components of the initiative and contributed to AIM for Scale’s broader efforts to mobilize over US$1 billion toward expanding climate and weather services. Together, these efforts advance the initiative’s mission to scale proven innovations that enhance productivity, incomes, and climate resilience, with an ambition to reach 100 million farmers by 2028.
Ripple - University Blockchain Research Initiative (UBRI)
CTED’s collaboration with Ripple, through the University Blockchain Research Initiative (UBRI), examines how blockchain can address long-standing challenges in agricultural finance, including limited credit access, low market trust, and unreliable transaction systems. The partnership focuses on developing blockchain-based tools that improve credit delivery, strengthen transparency, and support secure, automated settlements in commodity markets through smart contracts. CTED also works on digital identity solutions that enable farmers to build verifiable financial histories and access formal lending. Together, CTED and Ripple aim to advance a more inclusive and efficient rural financial infrastructure built on secure, modern blockchain technology.
UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism
CTED’s partnership with the UAE Ministry of Economy & Tourism supports the country’s priorities in economic measurement, policy evaluation, competition policy, and AI-enabled decision making. Through this collaboration, CTED contributes analytical expertise that strengthens the Ministry’s work on integrating artificial intelligence and alternative data into near–real-time GDP estimation, sectoral monitoring, and national economic analytics. The partnership also advances the development of a stronger data ecosystem, the evaluation of key initiatives such as the Golden Visa, and training programs that build quantitative and AI skills among emerging Emirati economists. Through ongoing dialogue, joint research, and co-creation workshops, CTED and the Ministry are shaping a modern, data-driven economic strategy that enhances competitiveness and supports long-term national policymaking.
