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Innovation is playing an ever-greater role in the economic trajectories of nations. The post COVID-19 era suggests that the pace of recovery of an economy and its resilience to external shocks are contingent on the strength of its innovation ecosystem, of which ‘clusters’ are an essential element. This policy brief provides an overview of the specificities of successful clusters and the many roles they play in fostering innovation on a national level. It highlights the ways in which robust cluster systems have helped minimize the impact of the pandemic on innovation stakeholders. Finally, based on extensive primary research, this brief concludes with policy recommendations towards a clusters approach to innovation that could advance economic value generation in the UAE.