KEY POINTS
ArabiaWeather, the largest weather and meteorological consulting firm in the United Arab Emirates, has inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Beyond Universe to venture into the metaverse.
As per a recent press release, the collaborative effort aims to leverage the respective strengths of both entities, paving the way for ArabiaWeather to deliver advanced products and services blending virtual reality (VR) with weather and climate information.
Established in Dubai in 2022, Beyond Universe is dedicated to pioneering innovative applications in the Middle Eastern market by integrating VR, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and other cutting-edge technologies.
The Middle Eastern landscape has witnessed a surge in Web3 initiatives, spurred by Dubai’s unveiling of its “Metaverse Strategy” in 2022. This strategy, designed to foster innovation across various sectors, has brought together governmental bodies, technology firms, and metaverse-focused startups to identify applications and establish a framework for a responsible use.
Since then, many initiatives have emerged. For instance, in January 2023, the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) introduced the “DIFC Metaverse Platform” to bolster Web3 endeavors. In October 2023, the Dubai General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) made its foray into the metaverse, providing a virtual platform for service requests and interactions.
Other cities within the UAE have also embraced Web3 technologies. In October 2023, the Sharjah Government rolled out an NFT-based certificate platform, marking a significant shift from traditional paper certificates to digital documents.
Last month, Samuel Huber, CEO of LandVault, highlighted the potential economic benefits of the metaverse, citing estimates suggesting that it could generate up to $16.7 billion annually in the UAE and contribute an additional $50 billion to the GDP of the Middle East and North Africa by 2035.
