Mahmood Abdulla

Sheikh Tahnoon Bin Zayed Al Nahyan: Strengthening the UAE & US Strategic Partnership at the White House

During a high-level meeting at the White House, His Highness Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE’s National Security Adviser, and President Donald J. Trump engaged in discussions to expand bilateral cooperation across these key industries.

The UAE & US strategic partnership continues to evolve, fueled by economic growth, technological innovation, and sustainable development, with rising investments in AI, infrastructure, energy, healthcare, and industrial innovation, shaping the future global economy.

1. Trade & Investment Growth:
• 2024 UAE & US trade reached $34.43 billion, a 9.47% increase from 2023 in a significant rise.
• The UAE is the US’s largest trading partner in the Middle East, reinforcing its role as a global economic hub.

2. US Trade Surplus & Job Creation
• The US trade surplus with the UAE hit $19.5 billion, up 6.9% year on year, ranking 4th globally.
• All 50 US states engage in UAE trade, supporting 120,000+ American jobs, especially in aviation, defense, and energy.

3. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)
• The UAE ranks among the top 20 foreign investors in the US, with $35B+ in FDI across real estate, tech, logistics, and finance.
• The US remains a key investor in the UAE, focusing on renewable energy, smart infrastructure, and AI.

AI & Technology Investments

1. AI Market & Global Leadership
• The UAE’s AI sector is set to hit $46.33 billion by 2030, contributing 14% ($100B) to GDP.
• AI investments fuel economic diversification, making the UAE a global AI powerhouse.

2. $100 Billion AI Investment Fund
• The UAE launched MGX a $100 billion AI-focused firm.
• MGX & BlackRock and Microsoft are developing AI-powered data centers & infrastructure.

3. US & UAE AI Collaborations
• In April 2024, Microsoft invested $1.5 billion in G42 one of the largest US tech deals in the UAE.
• Joint AI projects span healthcare, cybersecurity, fintech, and defense.

4. Blockchain & Digital Finance
• MGX $2B investment in Binance signals UAE’s commitment to Web3 and digital finance.

Energy & Sustainability Investments

1. $70 Billion UAE Investment in US Energy
• UAE energy giants ADNOC Group & Masdar (Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company) have invested $70B+ in US clean energy.
• UAE backed projects align with US renewable energy goals.

2. Smart Infrastructure & Green Economy
• Masdar is expanding solar & wind projects in the US, reinforcing UAE’s sustainability leadership.
• Investments in smart cities & clean tech drive long-term economic growth.

A Blueprint for Global Economic Leadership

The UAE’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and global collaboration is reshaping economies and industries worldwide. Together, the UAE and the US are pioneering AI-driven economies, clean energy solutions, and investment strategies that will define the future of global economic leadership.

The quietest moments often carry the loudest lessons. 🇦🇪

There are moments that pass in silence, yet they echo across generations.

A woman crossed the path of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum in a mall.

His guards, instinctively protective, moved to stop her — but with a single gesture of calm grace, His Highness asked them to let her pass.

In that second, a nation saw the definition of leadership.
Not through power.
Not through words.
But through presence.

That gesture carried the weight of decades of wisdom — the reminder that true greatness does not need to command respect;
it inspires it.

It reminded us that authority without humility is emptiness, and that the strength of a leader is not measured by how many people make way for him — but by how many hearts he makes room for.

As Emirati youth, we are not merely witnesses to these moments — we are shaped by them.

We grew up watching our leaders walk among their people, not above them.

We learned that the soul of leadership is compassion.

That silence can teach more than speeches.
And that power is a trust, not a privilege.

This is why our nation endures.
Because generation after generation, our leaders don’t just build cities they build consciousness.

They teach us that every action, no matter how small, reflects who we are as a people.
And it is our duty my duty, your duty, our children’s duty to carry this legacy forward.

So that one day, when our children ask us what made the UAE what it is, we will not only speak of skyscrapers and achievements, but of moments like this moments where humility met leadership, and leadership met humanity.

This is the UAE.

A nation where greatness walks quietly,
and leaves footprints made of light.

Dubai × India | The Architecture of the Trillion-Dollar Innovation Corridor

When HH Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum met with over 40 founders and CEOs of India’s leading unicorns in a high-level, face-to-face meeting — alongside HH Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum

1. The Context | The Global Innovation Shift

Global growth gravity is moving from Silicon Valley → the Arabian Gulf.

By 2025, 55% of global venture inflows are entering Asia and MENA, led by India, Singapore, and the UAE.

India

• 119 unicorns worth USD 370B+
• 27K+ startups across 60+ sectors
• USD 115B+ funding since 2018
• Fintech adoption: 87% (vs 64% global)
• Digital economy: USD 1 T by 2030 (≈ 20% of GDP)
• 50 M+ digital jobs expected this decade

Dubai & UAE

• 7,700+ DIFC firms (+32 % YoY)
• 440+ asset managers (USD 500 B+ AUM)
• 85 hedge funds, 69 > USD 1 B
• 25 % of MENA VC flows via Dubai
• Digital economy target: AED 800 B (USD 218 B) by 2031
• UAE = 33 % of MENA VC (2024)
• H1 2025 MENA VC: USD 1.5 B; UAE + Saudi = 88 % of deal value

2. The Players | India’s Billion-Dollar Builders

In the room: Zerodha, Razorpay, Lenskart.com, Swiggy, Meesho, Zomato, BYJU'S, CRED, Policybazaar.com, BrowserStack, OYO, OfBusiness, Dream11, InMobi, Upstox, Freshworks, PW (PhysicsWallah), PharmEasy, Delhivery, Nykaa, Zepto, Groww, Pine Labs, Ola, udaan.com, Urban Company.

Collectively:

• USD 350 B+ valuation
• USD 50 B+ capital raised
• 2.5 M+ jobs created
• 200+ cities worldwide

This wasn’t symbolic — it was a tactical alignment of India’s innovation with Dubai’s capital design.

3. The Strategy | Why Sheikh Hamdan Acted Now

• Proximity Leadership — real influence happens in the room, not reports.
• Regulatory Sync — aligning UAE’s innovation law & CEPA with India’s Startup India agenda.
• Capital Velocity — Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA), Mubadala, ADQ, MGX & Presight expanding into India’s AI and fintech.
• Talent Mobility — 4 M Indians as bridge + founder visas and AI talent residencies.
• Economic Signal — Dubai isn’t a stopover: it’s a launchpad for global growth.

4. The Numbers | The Dubai–India Flywheel

• Trade FY 2024/25: USD 100.06 B (+38 % YoY)
• Non-oil: USD 50 B+ (driven by tech & logistics)
• UAE FDI → India: tripled since CEPA to USD 15 B+
• Cross-border VC + sovereign flows: projected USD 50 B+ by 2030
• 500 K+ innovation jobs expected
• 50+ Indian unicorn HQs in Dubai by 2030

The Future Equation

If India is the innovation engine, Dubai the capital chassis, and UAE leadership the policy accelerator the outcome is global velocity.

By 2030, the Dubai × India corridor could unlock USD 1 trillion in trade, capital, and innovation.

By 2035, 1 in 10 global unicorns could be co-headquartered between India and the UAE.

Today, Dubai processes 1 in every 4 VC dollars in MENA.

Dubai is no longer a gateway — it’s the capital of global founders.

And Sheikh Hamdan is the architect of this new architecture.

I’m happy to share that I’m starting a new position as Learning and Development Consultant at Al-Futtaim Real Estate!

The Weight of Legacy 🤍🇦🇪

There are moments that speak without words —
A grandfather’s embrace, a child’s trust,
and a nation’s story woven quietly in between.

This image of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum with his grandson His Highness Sheikh Rashid bin Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum isn’t just a family moment it is a living reflection of what the UAE truly stands for:

Continuity, compassion, and the passing of purpose between generations.

In that simple embrace lies everything our country is built upon.

Leadership with mercy.
Strength with humility.
Vision with love.

Because true leadership is not only about power it’s about nurturing hearts that will one day carry the same responsibility with faith, wisdom, and grace.

The UAE was not built overnight.

It was built through the transfer of values from father to son, from leader to nation, from heart to heart.

May Allah bless and protect our leaders and their families, and may every Emirati child grow under the warmth of this same legacy a legacy of love, loyalty, and limitless belief in the future.

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix F1 🏎️:

Driving Abu Dhabi’s growth since its debut in 2009, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix has been a cornerstone of Formula 1, delivering immense benefits to the emirate beyond the track.

Economic Impact:

> Tourism Revenue: Attracts 60,000+ visitors annually, boosting hospitality, retail, and entertainment.
> Global Investments: Positions Abu Dhabi as a premier hub for foreign investments.
> Job Creation: Creates thousands of jobs in hospitality, logistics, and event management.

Global Branding:

> Showcasing Abu Dhabi: With over 500 million TV viewers, the event highlights Abu Dhabi as a luxury and innovation destination.
> Cultural Exchange: Yasalam concerts and fan festivals enrich Abu Dhabi’s cultural scene.
> Sports Hub: Establishes Abu Dhabi as a leader in hosting world-class sporting events.

Innovation and Sustainability:

> Green Initiatives: Aligns with the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 Strategy through sustainable practices.
> Youth Empowerment: Inspires young Emiratis to pursue careers in engineering, sports, and technology.
> Infrastructure Growth: Drives development on Yas Island and beyond.

Strategic Partnerships:

> Bapco Energies and McLaren F1 Team
> Aston Martin
> Etihad Airways
> E&
> Deprtment of Culture & Tourism - Abu Dhabi

The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is more than a race and from an another angle it’s a celebration of economic growth, innovation, and culture, propelling Abu Dhabi’s global vision forward.

An inspiring encounter with H.E. Shaikha Al Nowais — Secretary-General Elect of United Nations Tourism, and the first woman ever to take on this global role.

Her appointment marks a historic milestone — not only for the UAE’s leadership on the world stage, but for Arab women shaping global policy.

Proud to have shared this moment during the Global Tourism Forum 2025 in Brussels where the UAE once again proved that our youth, our women, and our ideas are transforming global narratives.

Dubai Surpasses Las Vegas — and Maps the Future of Global Hospitality

A recent CoStar Group report shows Dubai has surpassed Las Vegas in hotel-room capacity, now ranking second worldwide after London.

In just a decade, Dubai has doubled its hotel inventory — turning tourism growth into infrastructure-scale expansion.

Key Highlights

• 154K rooms across 830+ hotels (end 2024), up from 107K in 2017.
• 2.7K new rooms in H1 2024; 10K+ under construction (2025–27).
• 70 % luxury/upscale mix — among the world’s highest.
• Occupancy 2024: ~78 % | ADR: AED 538 (US $147) | RevPAR: AED 421 (US $115).
• Feb 2024 peak: 90.8 % | ADR AED 887 | RevPAR AED 805 (+13 % YoY).
• 18.7 M visitors (2024, +9 % YoY).
• DXB: 92.3 M passengers — #2 globally.
• Sector GDP impact: ≈ AED 236 B (~12 %).
• Pipeline: +11.3K rooms by 2027 (~3 % p.a.).
• 2030 projection: 165K rooms + AED 50 B tourism investment.
• Vision D33: 40 M visitors by 2031 | tourism GDP ↑ to ~15 %.

Corporate & Brand Ecosystem

• Jumeirah Group – Emirati luxury flagship.
• Emaar Hospitality – Address & Vida brands.
• TIME Hotels – UAE-based boutique operator.
• The First Group – Hospitality + real estate developer.
• Global players: Marriott International, Hilton, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Accor (Ennismore), Kempinski Hotels, Mandarin Oriental.
• Backers: Dubai Holding, Wasl Group Properties, Nakheel Hotels — linking policy + capital + operators.

How Dubai Engineered This

1. Vision → Infrastructure → Execution
Tourism positioned as national infrastructure under D33 — targeting 40 M visitors by 2031, AED 700 B FDI, and integrated growth across Tourism × Aviation × Real Estate × Events.

2. Capacity + Quality = Yield
~70 % of rooms in luxury/upscale segments → rising occupancy, ADR & RevPAR — a rare triple win globally.

3 Connectivity as an Economic Engine
Emirates + DXB hub converts passengers → guests → investors, monetizing global mobility.

4. Events as Demand Drivers
Expo 2020, COP28 UAE, GITEX 2025 & major lifestyle events sustain > 75 % occupancy and minimize seasonality.

5. Policy Agility = Scale + Stability
Visa-on-arrival (90 + nations) | Golden Visa | Remote-Work Visa | Tax-free | Smart-city infrastructure → accessibility meets scalability.

Global Context & Economic Impact

Dubai’s 78 % occupancy surpasses Paris (72 %), London (74 %), and New York (71 %), with a luxury mix 2× higher than most global hubs — achieving comparable ADRs at larger scale.

Each AED 1 invested in hospitality generates ≈ AED 2.5 in wider economic value — fueling jobs, retail, transport, and real estate.

Hospitality in Dubai isn’t a sector it’s a national value multiplier.

Why Everyone Wants to Be in Dubai

Dubai offers more than rooms it delivers scale, stability, connectivity, and experience.

One of the few cities where occupancy stays above 78 % as supply grows, with infrastructure, policy, and talent advancing in sync.

Dubai doesn’t just build buildings — it builds confidence.

Dubai future 🤍

HH Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum & HH Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum

Abu Dhabi’s Equation of Scale: When Three Become One

The UAE just redefined what an investment merger can look like.

International Holding Company (IHC) has merged 2PointZero × Multiply Group × Ghitha Holding H— forming a single listed powerhouse worth AED 120 billion (~US $33 billion), spanning 85 countries and uniting energy, AI, consumer, and food security under one platform:

2PointZero Group PJSC, listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange

The Macro Equation

Energy + AI + Consumer + Food = Sovereign Investment Power

1. 2PointZero – Energy & Infrastructure Core

• Anchored in transition minerals, utilities, and finance.
• Owns IRH (Mopani Copper Mines Plc – Zambia, Alphamin Resources Corp (AFMJF) – DRC).
• Linked with Lunate, Beltone, Citadel Capital.

2. Multiply Group – Consumer & Digital Engine

• Operates across mobility, media, tech, and energy.
• Q3 2025: Profit AED 1.95 b (+164 % YoY); Revenue +50 %.
• Proof the UAE now exports consumer intelligence, not just products.

3. Ghitha Holding – Food Security & Agri Hub

• Owns Al Ain Farms, Al Ajban Poultry, ADVOC, Asmak.
• 9M 2025: Revenue AED 4 b (+9 %), Operating profit +41 %.
• Builds a farm-to-fork resilience chain for national independence.

The Mechanics of Scale

• AED 120 billion assets
• AED 8.64 billion capital
• 34.56 billion shares
• 85 + countries

A first-of-its-kind cross-sector sovereign platform, where energy, intelligence, and industry converge — shaping the next chapter of Abu Dhabi’s economic story.

Why It Matters

While the world de-scales, Abu Dhabi consolidates — turning diversification into integration, and integration into sovereign advantage.

This merger delivers:

• Resilience: Localising critical chains — energy, minerals, food.
• Efficiency: One balance sheet for global expansion.
• Confidence: An AED 120 billion listed platform deepening ADX liquidity.
• Intelligence: AI-driven investing through Multiply × 2PointZero.
• Opportunity: New high-value roles and Emirati talent growth.

The Global Context

• Energy demand +20 % by 2050
• +1 billion new middle-class consumers by 2030 (US $2.4 trillion market)
• AI & data infrastructure → US $1.3 trillion by 2030
• Food-security market → US $1.2 trillion by 2032

The UAE now sits at the intersection of all these megatrends — not as an observer, but as an architect.

Abu Dhabi isn’t following capital flows — it’s creating them.

The Strategic Lesson

This is intelligent scale —
where diversification becomes consolidation,
governance becomes national design,
and a merger becomes a model.

Abu Dhabi isn’t building companies — it’s building a capital ecosystem.

One that turns Dirhams into Diplomacy, and Investments into Influence.

Because in this new global order —
Scale = Strategy.
Strategy = Sovereignty.

Legacy as Infrastructure

“Al Maktoum Archives” — a home for the nation, and an open book for history.

Under the vision of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum — and in the presence of HH Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum — Dubai inaugurated “Al Maktoum Archives”, the official centre for documenting and preserving the historical and cultural heritage of the Rulers of Dubai and the Al Maktoum family.

This is not just a record of history — it is the architecture of leadership itself.

A national archive that turns wisdom into policy, memory into guidance, and heritage into a system of governance.

For over two centuries, the Al Maktoum family has led Dubai through vision, humility, and intellect — transforming a desert shore into a city that defines modern civilization.

With every generation, that vision was not inherited — it was rebuilt, refined, and renewed.

The Al Maktoum Archives is where that continuum is safeguarded — where leadership becomes legacy, and legacy becomes the blueprint for future generations.

Because nations that document their history don’t just remember who they were — they design who they will become.

Al Maktoum Archives — where the nation’s memory lives, and the future learns 📜

The Oath of Continuity 🇦🇪

Three ministers in the UAE Government took the constitutional oath before HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, in the presence of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai — may God protect them — and His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court.

At Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi, the following ministers took the oath:

• H.E. Ahmed bin Ali Al Sayegh — Minister of Health and Community Protection
• H.E. Lana Zaki Nusseibeh — Minister of State
• H.E. Saeed Mubarak Al Hajeri — Minister of State

Today’s oath is more than a formal ceremony — it is a reaffirmation of the UAE’s timeless governance philosophy:

Leadership in the UAE is not an individual act of authority — it is a collective system of trust, continuity, and national responsibility.

In the presence of our leadership, the new ministers pledged to serve the nation with integrity, foresight, and unity — embodying the same values that have guided the UAE since its founding.

This moment symbolizes how the UAE continually renews its leadership DNA, built upon:

1. Institutional strength — where governance is a system, not a term.
2. National trust — where responsibility is earned through loyalty, not politics.
3. Strategic continuity — where every oath builds upon the vision of the founding fathers.

Under the guidance of our leaders, the UAE continues to engineer a government model that balances agility with legacy — where renewal means reinforcement, not replacement.

Because in this nation, leadership is not a position — it is a lifelong commitment to serve.

We extend our best wishes to the three ministers as they begin their national duty — serving their country, its citizens, and the people of the UAE with dedication and honor.

The Oath = Trust → Service → Continuity

You are my bet if I were to wager, my winning arrow against all odds.

HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum & HH Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum ❤️

Dubai | Building the Intelligence Economy

When HH Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum approved a new package of AI and digital-economy initiatives — it marked the start of a new phase in Dubai’s evolution:

From digital transformation → to intelligence infrastructure.

This isn’t about automation.

It’s about architecting an economy where data, compute, and AI become sovereign infrastructure.

The New Acceleration Package

Dubai, under the Higher Committee for Future Technology Development & Digital Economy, launched a bold AI-driven framework to accelerate national transformation:

• AI Infrastructure Platform — a unified system connecting all government entities through shared compute and data.
• AI Readiness Taskforce — making every institution AI-native in operations and decision-making.
• Unicorn 30 — scaling 30 UAE startups into billion-dirham global players.
• Future Stars 2026 — a global tech summit hosting 1,000+ CEOs, 5,000+ startups, and USD 10B+ in deal flow.

The Data Behind Dubai’s Digital Rise

Digital Economy (UAE)

• Contribution to GDP: 9.7 % (2022) → target ≈ 19.4 % by 2032.
• Current value: USD 38 billion, projected USD 140 billion+ by 2031.
• Digital trade growth: 12.3 % annually (2023–2028).
• Digital-services exports (2024): AED 191 billion highest in the Arab world.

Artificial Intelligence (UAE)

• Market size (2023): USD 3.47 billion → USD 46.3 billion by 2030 (~ 44 % CAGR).
• GDP impact: ≈ 13.6 % (~ USD 96 billion) by 2031, potentially 20 % of non-oil GDP.
• Dubai alone: AED 235 billion (~ USD 64 billion) in cumulative AI-driven value by 2030.

Government Efficiency Gains

• User savings AED 368 billion • Govt cost reduction AED 20 billion
• Hours saved 530 million • Emissions avoided 55.8 million tonnes CO₂e

Dubai 2024 Snapshot

• GDP (Q1 2024): AED 115 billion, + 3.2 % YoY.
• ICT sector: AED 5.1 billion (4.4 % of GDP) — among the fastest-growing.

The Architecture of the Intelligence Economy

• AI Infrastructure makes government a platform for innovation.
• Startups become national growth engines.
• Data drives predictive governance.
• Speed is Dubai’s competitive edge.
• Intelligence, not oil, powers the new economy.

Global Context

• Singapore → Digital economy: 17% of GDP | AI: 12%
• United Kingdom → Digital economy: 20% of GDP | AI: 11%
• United Arab Emirates → Digital economy: 9.7% (2022) → 19.4% target by 2032 | AI: 13.6–20% by 2031

Dubai combines strong government vision, private-sector innovation, and global partnerships making it one of the fastest-growing digital economies in the world.

The Bigger Equation

If the 20th century ran on oil pipelines,
the 21st century runs on compute pipelines.

Dubai is not digitizing governance — it’s architecting intelligence.

Not chasing unicorns — but breeding them.
Not adapting to the future — but writing the algorithm for it.

When the world doubts, Dubai delivers.

Emirates: The Airline That Turned a Desert Runway into a Global Legacy

When The Times Travel Awards 2025 crowned Emirates Airline the Best Airline in the World,
it wasn’t just a title — it was proof that under the vision of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum and the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, a national dream became a global benchmark.

The Numbers Behind the Crown

• AED 22.7B (US$ 6.2B) – Group profit before tax (+18%)
• AED 145.4B (US$ 39.6B) – Group revenue (+6%)
• AED 53.4B (US$ 14.6B) – Cash assets (+13%)
• 121K+ employees from 180 nationalities (+9%)
• AED 21.2B (US$ 5.8B) – Airline profit (+20%)
• 53.7M passengers carried (+3%)
• ≈260 wide-body aircraft serving 148 cities in 80 countries
• Load factor ≈79%, among the highest in long-haul aviation

How Emirates Engineered Global Dominance

1. Hub as a Platform — Not Just an Airport
Dubai International (DXB) connects 90% of the world’s population within 8 hours.
It’s not geography — it’s geoeconomics, turning location into connectivity capital.

2. Wide-Body Logic
Operating the world’s largest all-wide-body fleet (A380s + B777s) maximizes slot efficiency, network consistency, and premium yield.

3. Financial Discipline Within Luxury
Capacity ↑ 4% | Revenue ↑ 6% | Profit ↑ 20%
→ Precision in yield management and cost efficiency, not volume chasing.

4. Luxury as National Diplomacy
Private suites, onboard lounges, multilingual crews — not just amenities, but extensions of Emirati soft power at 40,000 feet.

5. Diversified Strength
With Emirates SkyCargo, dnata, and catering operations, the Group built multi-channel resilience — ensuring growth even during market shocks.

Beyond Aviation — A National Case Study

• Soft Power – Every flight carries the UAE’s excellence worldwide.
• Tourism – ≈35% of Dubai’s visitors arrive via Emirates.
• Sustainability – 191-aircraft retrofit cutting fuel use by up to 25%.
• Employment – 121K+ staff from 180 nationalities, reflecting UAE diversity.

Why Emirates Is an Icon

• Global Recognition – Times Travel Awards 2025: Best Airline in the World
• Profitability – AED 22.7 billion, world’s most profitable airline group
• Scale – 260 wide-bodies, 148 destinations, 80 countries
• Brand Strength – #1 Most Recommended Global Brand (YouGov 2025, 88%)
• Reliability – ≈ 98% on-time performance
• Legacy – From 2 leased jets in 1985 to a global aviation icon in 2025

Lessons for Global Leaders

• Data Before Decisions – Growth guided by analytics, not intuition.
• Profit with Purpose – Every dirham aligns with UAE Vision 2031.
• Culture as Capital – Emirates sells trust, not tickets.
• Sustainability Through Strategy – Fleet renewal over short-term cost cuts.

Every aircraft is more than metal and engines —
it’s a flying anthem of ambition, discipline, and destiny.

And when the world looks up and sees Emirates pass, they don’t just see a plane they see the UAE written across the sky.

Believe, time changes everything 💙

My First International Appearance — Brussels 2025

I always wanted to wear a suit — carrying my country’s flag proudly — and represent the UAE on an international stage.

This week, that dream became real.

At the Global Tourism Forum 2025 in Brussels, I stood on stage wearing that suit, with my flag shining on my chest not as decoration, but as identity.

It was a moment of arrival one that made every challenge, every late night, and every quiet prayer feel worth it.

When I spoke, I didn’t speak as a “delegate.”

I spoke as a home-grown Emirati, shaped by our leadership’s vision, grounded in our values, and inspired by a nation that taught us that influence begins with authenticity.

My message revolved around four simple ideas:

• Influence as Infrastructure — turning influence into national capital.
• Policy × Perception — aligning action with image.
• Data Destinations — measuring impact, not impressions.
• Sovereign Storytelling — owning the national voice.

As I looked around the room, I saw connection — genuine, human connection.

People from Belgium, Chile, and Turkey, who had become my friends since day one, stood with me and cheered without even being asked.

They supported me like family and before I left, they looked at me with warmth and said:

“You have light in your face.”
“You’ll go very far.”

That moment reminded me that authenticity always finds its way to people’s hearts.

Then something unexpected happened.

A lady from the audience who hosts delegates every year during the World Economic Forum in Davos came to me and said:

“Let’s work together. If you ever want to bring the UAE there, my home is open for you.”

That moment struck deeply.

Because once, Davos was a distant dream and suddenly, it didn’t feel so far anymore.

The forum was witnessed by H.E. Shaikha Al Nowais, Secretary-General Elect of UN Tourism, alongside distinguished ministers, global leaders, and visionaries shaping the future of travel and soft power.

To be part of that room carrying my country’s flag was an honour I will never forget.

My first international appearance wasn’t about recognition it was about representation.

Representing a country that trusts its youth and transforms vision into impact.

Representing values that cross borders without losing their essence.

This journey taught me something simple but profound:

When your intention is pure and your purpose is greater than yourself — the world responds.

Special Thanks

To my dear friend Bulut Bagci, President of the World Tourism Forum Institute.

Thank you for the kind invitation, the flawless organization, and two unforgettable days in Brussels.

Your leadership continues to unite nations, inspire collaboration, and turn conversations into impact.

To everyone who believed, supported, and stood with me thank you.

And to anyone chasing a dream quietly please remember:

Don’t wait for the world to notice you.
Start walking and the world will find you on your path.

Thanks Brussels.

Expand North Star 2025 — The Architecture of a Global Innovation Hub

When HH Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum inaugurated Expand North Star 2025, it marked a new phase in Dubai’s rise as a global innovation hub, built on data, regulation, and capital.

Organized by the Dubai World Trade Centre and hosted by the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, it stands as the world’s largest startup event, bringing together 2,000+ startups, 1,200 investors, and 15+ technology sectors — shaping the next decade of digital growth.

1. The Digital Economy

• UAE’s digital economy contributes AED 370B (2024), projected to exceed AED 800B by 2031 — 19.4% of GDP.
• The Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy targets 30,000+ firms and 100,000+ digital jobs this decade.
• Digital trade is set to surpass USD 100B by 2026, establishing Dubai as the regional e-commerce capital.
• Key anchors: e&, Amazon UAE, noon, DP World Digital Trade.

2. The Capital Engine

• UAE secured 62% of MENA venture funding in 2024 — USD 5.2B (+27% YoY).
• Dubai hosts 60+ global venture funds and 200+ family offices, including Shorooq, BECO Capital, Wamda Capital, Middle East Venture Partners (MEVP), Nuwa.
• Sovereign alliances — Mubadala, ADQ, G42, MGX, Abu Dhabi Growth Fund — have deployed USD 50B+ in AI investments since 2020.
• Global tech giants — Microsoft, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Oracle, Google Cloud — anchor cloud and AI infrastructure.
• Over 70% of participating startups use Dubai as their first GCC entry hub.

3. Technology Infrastructure

• UAE ranks Top 10 globally in AI readiness.
• National AI ecosystem: MBZUAI (Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence), Technology Innovation Institute, Presight, Core42 — producing 2,500+ citations per million residents.
• Data infrastructure projected to handle 100 exabytes annually by 2030, powered by G42 Cloud and Injazat.
• Digital City Initiative: 100% digital public services and blockchain-enabled trade by 2026.
• Key corporate drivers: Astra Tech, Wio Bank, Mashreq NEO, Magnati.

4. Global Positioning

• UAE ranks 1st regionally, 14th globally in ease of doing business (legacy 2020).
• 2nd-largest FDI recipient in West Asia: USD 45.6B (2023).
• National programs — D33, Investopia, Vision 2031 — target AED 6T trade by 2033 and 50 UAE-born unicorns by 2031.
• Startup ecosystem valued at USD 39B, growing 23% CAGR, outpacing London, Singapore, and Berlin.
• Innovation hubs — DIFC Innovation Hub, Hub71, Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park (SPARK) — partnered with SoftBank Group Corp., Plug and Play Tech Center, Techstars.

5. Strategic Interpretation

Expand North Star is more than an event — it is a sovereign economic instrument that aligns entrepreneurship, capital, and national policy.

Dubai is not competing for relevance: it is setting the global benchmark for regulated innovation and digital economy leadership.

The world imagines tomorrow
Dubai builds it before dawn.

When you’re scaling multiple projects — managing clients, campaigns, and partnerships — you start noticing a pattern.

It’s not strategy that slows teams down.
It’s the chaos behind the scenes.

Shared cards.
OTP delays.
Receipts lost in chats.
Finance teams chasing approvals while leaders chase growth.

I’ve seen it across startups, scaleups, and even sovereign-backed entities and I’ve lived it myself while running my own advisory projects.

One night, after a campaign wrap-up, I was reconciling expenses at 1:00 a.m.
Every transaction was a detective case screenshots, invoices, WhatsApp approvals.

That’s when it hit me:

We don’t just lose money to inefficiency.
We lose clarity and clarity is leadership’s most expensive asset.

Because when you lose visibility, you lose control.
And when you lose control, you lose time — the rarest currency in business.

That’s why I instantly connected with Alaan الآن.

It’s not just another corporate card - it’s the SuperCard for businesses. Quite literally. It’s powered by their proprietary AI which makes it so unique and restores visibility for businesses.

• Advanced Spend Controls — Decide who spends what, where, and how.
• Sub-Wallets for Teams — Give every department its own budget. No bottlenecks.
• AI Automation — Close books 8× faster.
• Full Integration — Sync directly with accounting tools.

No more chasing receipts.
No more confusion over “Who used the card?”.
Just pure control and visibility.

Today, 1,500+ companies — from G42 to Lulu Exchange, Rivoli, Tabby, and Foodics — already run on Alaan.
And collectively, they’ve saved 1.5 million hours of work.

That’s not just efficiency.
That’s leadership evolution turning finance into a real-time intelligence layer.

As someone running a marketing advisory company and building regional partnerships daily, I’ve learned this truth the hard way:

Every dirham you manage wisely is a dirham you can reinvest in growth, creativity, and people.

That’s the philosophy behind Alaan الآن.

And it’s why I see it not as a product — but as a system for modern leadership.

Simplify finance.
Amplify growth.

The UAE Federal Budget 2026:

Under the leadership of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the UAE Cabinet approved the AED 92.4 billion Federal Budget 2026 — the largest in the Union’s history, up 29 % from 2025.

It reflects a unified model where fiscal balance, trade expansion, and investment diplomacy drive sustainable national growth.

Fiscal Intelligence — The Numbers Behind the Budget

Total Revenues = Total Expenditures = AED 92.4 billion → a perfectly balanced fiscal stance.
Breakdown:

• AED 34.6 b (37%) – Social Development & Benefits
• AED 27.1 b (29%) – Government Affairs
• AED 15.4 b (17%) – Financial Investments
• AED 12.7 b (14%) – Federal Services
• AED 2.6 b (3%) – Infrastructure & Economic Development

A 29 % year-on-year budget increase, yet fully balanced proof of disciplined growth few nations achieve.

Investment Diplomacy — UAE as a Capital Exporter

The National Agenda for Outbound Investment 2024 shows:

• AED 1.05 trillion cumulative FDI abroad (+9%)
• AED 86 billion annual outflows (+4.8%)
• UAE = #1 Arab investor & Top 20 globally
• Accounts for 38.4% of Arab outbound FDI and 35% of MENA total

The UAE is no longer just attracting capital — it’s exporting it, shaping markets across Asia, Africa, and beyond through sovereign funds and strategic ventures.

Trade Sovereignty — The Export Power Equation

The UAE Export Development Policy (2019–2024) delivered record growth:

• Non-Oil Trade = AED 952.6 b (+103%)
• Non-Oil Exports = AED 139.3 b (+247%)
• Imports = AED 666.5 b (+115%)

This marks a shift from a re-export hub to a diversified manufacturing, technology, and services economy — powering D33’s vision of a trillion-dirham digital economy.

Strategic Interpretation

1. Fiscal Balance = Policy Agility
A zero-deficit budget gives the UAE flexibility to navigate global rate shifts and inflation without austerity.

2. Capital Diplomacy = Soft Power
With over AED 1 trillion in outbound FDI, the UAE isn’t just investing abroad — it’s shaping global growth and expanding geopolitical influence.

3. Export Expansion = Economic Resilience
Non-oil exports doubling since 2019 reflect true diversification — economic strength now anchored in global trade corridors, not commodities.

4. Institutional Sustainability = Continuity
The Federal Financial Support Centre secures liquidity and long-term stability, embedding governance as a pillar of national infrastructure.

The Macro Equation

Fiscal Balance + Investment Outflows + Export Expansion = Sovereign Power

The UAE’s 2026 model is measurable, scalable, and built for stability — engineering growth as a system, not a cycle.

Outlook:
• GDP growth >4% (non-oil driven)
• Non-oil trade >AED 3 trillion
• Outbound FDI >AED 1.2 trillion
• Global hub for capital, trade, and innovation

And the world continues to watch — how the UAE turns vision into verifiable data and setting global benchmarks.

Off to Brussels for the Global Tourism Forum 2025 — honored to represent the UAE and carry my country’s voice with pride 🇦🇪

When Leadership Designs with Intelligence

At GITEX GLOBAL Largest Tech & Startup Show in the World 2025, Peng Xiao, CEO of G42, revealed that His Highness Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan designed his new Abu Dhabi residence using 500 ChatGPT prompts — in collaboration with Japan’s Nikken Sekkei, the firm behind Tokyo Skytree and Dubai Creek Harbour Tower.

He shared the story during a session with Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, titled “From Building Communities to Building Intelligence.”

The Hard Facts Behind the Headline

• 500 ChatGPT prompts refined by Nikken Sekkei, merging AI reasoning with design.
• 10–20 % of the Chairman’s office powered by AI agents.
• AI-assisted design market to hit USD 15 b by 2030, ≈ 40 % CAGR.
• UAE AI economy: USD 96 b (13.6 % of GDP) by 2030 — highest global share.
• UAE AI market: USD 3.5 b (2023) → USD 46.3 b (2030) — 44 % CAGR.
• Middle East AI impact: USD 320 b by 2030, UAE ≈ 25 %.
• G42 Stargate: 5 GW AI campus, first 200 MW live in 2026.
• Cerebras Systems CG-1: 4 exaflops, 54 M AI cores, 100 T-parameter models.
• Artemis Supercomputer: #26 worldwide, 7.2 petaflops.
• AI Procurement System: 40 % faster cycles.
• MBZUAI (Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence): #25 globally in AI research.
• AI talent gap: 30 k professionals needed by 2030.

The Deeper Meaning

• Leadership as Intelligence — Sheikh Tahnoon wasn’t designing a home: he was designing a mindset.
• East × West Convergence — UAE vision meets Japanese precision: AI becomes the new design language.
• From Artificial → Augmented — As AI takes 20 % of work, leaders shift from operators to orchestrators.
• Compute = Power — The 20th century ran on oil: the 21st runs on compute.
• Design as Policy — Every prompt is a prototype; every iteration a governance model.
• Hybrid Institutions — The future is half human, half algorithmic — decisive and sovereign.
• Generational Philosophy — When leaders design with intelligence, they teach a generation to think with purpose.

The Equation of Sovereign Intelligence

Vision + Global Partnerships + Compute + Human Capital + Ethics = AI Civilization

• By 2030 → 1 in 5 UAE white-collar roles will operate with AI co-agents.
• By 2035 → UAE AI exports could exceed USD 20 billion annually through software and infrastructure.
• By 2040 → Abu Dhabi and Tokyo may lead a new era of AI-driven architectural diplomacy.

This isn’t about a house.

It’s about a nation that designs its destiny through intelligence.

The UAE doesn’t wait for the future to arrive — it builds it, prompt by prompt, generation after generation.

This is not Artificial Intelligence.
This is Emirati Intelligence.

Dubai: The New Financial Gravity Center — The Wall Street of the Middle East

Every century, the world’s financial gravity shifts.
From Amsterdam to London, from New York to Hong Kong — and now, to Dubai.

Recent data from the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME Group) shows a 16% surge in trading volumes from the Middle East, driven by hedge funds and institutional investors now operating out of the UAE.

This is not a trend — it’s a structural re-wiring of global finance.

Verified Market Transformation:

CME Group (2025)

• 193,000+ daily contracts, +16% YoY
• 30% rise in hedge-fund activity vs 2024
• Projected 10–12% of global CME volumes by 2026

Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC):

• 7,700 active firms, +32% YoY; 1,081 new in H1 2025
• 85 hedge funds, up 72%; 69 manage USD 1B+
• 440 asset & wealth firms, +19% YoY
• Revenue AED 1.78 B | Profit AED 1.33 B (+37%)
• Estimated USD 700 B AUM

Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM):

• 226% AUM growth in H1 2024 – fastest in MENA
• Projected USD 400–500 B AUM by end 2025
• Hosts BlackRock, Brevan Howard, Millennium, Man Group

Sovereign Wealth Anchors:

• Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA), Mubadala, ADQ AUM ≈ USD 1.52 T (2025)
• UAE ranks 3rd globally in sovereign capital (after Norway & China)

Core Structural Drivers:

• Dual common-law jurisdictions (DIFC + ADGM) ensure global regulatory parity
• 0% capital tax, USD peg, full profit repatriation = stable capital flows
• 20-hour liquidity cycle bridging Asia–Europe
• USD 1.5 T+ sovereign capital accessible to private funds
• GCC liquidity ≈ USD 3.3 T, half channeled through UAE
• UAE captures ≈ 40% of GCC FDI inflows (UNCTAD 2024)
• AI-driven compliance & tokenized asset frameworks cutting settlement times by 60% since 2023

Market Momentum:

• DIFC firms: 6,920 (2024) → 7,700 (2025) +11%
• Hedge funds: ≈70 (2024) → 120–140 (2026 proj.) +72% YoY
• AUM in free zones: USD 820 B → USD 1.2 T (+46%)
• Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange + Dubai Financial Market cap: AED 4.2 T → AED 4.8 T (+14%)
• FDI: USD 23.3 B → USD 30 B (+28%)
• UHNWI migration: 6,700 → 9,800 (+46%)
• Daily global trades: AED 1.5 B → AED 2.5 B (+66%)

Strategic Implications:

• UAE is the only neutral, sovereign, tech-aligned hub where capital and regulation converge.
• London faces fragmentation, Hong Kong controls, New York rising costs (+23%).
• Dubai and Abu Dhabi absorb the outflow through speed, clarity, and trust, building a new East–West liquidity bridge.
• By 2030, USD 2 T+ in MENA assets — half flowing through Emirati financial zones.

The Bigger Picture:

Every financial renaissance begins with three things: trust, infrastructure, and speed.
The UAE has all three — at sovereign scale.

The data is no longer symbolic — it is structural:

Dubai is not joining the world’s financial centers.
It is re-defining what one means.

Delighted to share that our Founder & CEO, Muhammad Khalid, represented AIREV HOLDING LIMITED and OnDemand as a panelist at the Agentic Event hosted by Inveniam and Mantra Softech — bringing the UAE’s homegrown intelligence story to the global stage.

This wasn’t just another panel.
It was a statement.

AIREV HOLDING LIMITED and OnDemand were built in the UAE — not as startups, but as a mission:

To prove that the world’s most advanced AI infrastructure can be designed, engineered, and scaled from here.

From pioneering the world’s first Agentic AI Operating System, to building the foundations of an AI-native ecosystem, we’re turning what many call the “future of intelligence” into a system that is real, sovereign, and operational today.

Seeing Muhammad on stage alongside global leaders reflected more than collaboration — it reflected the rise of a new era where the UAE exports intelligence, not just innovation.

This is what “Made in the UAE” means for the AI age.

born in the UAE, built for the world.

This is AIREV HOLDING LIMITED.
This is OnDemand.

Proud to be part of the AIREV and OnDemand family and walking this journey together.

A UAE story redefining what intelligence means for humanity.

Thrilled to have met Jim Keller, the iconic chip architect — the mind behind AMD Zen, Apple’s A-series, Tesla Autopilot, and now Tenstorrent.

We spoke about depth, ambition, and purpose.
At one point, I told him:

“Sometimes I feel I’m thinking too deeply.”

He paused, smiled, and said something I’ll carry with me for life:

“There will come a time when you’ll feel different — that’s your time to go, build, and make your impact.”

That single line changed the way I understand timing and conviction.

It reminded me that depth is not a weight — it’s a signal.

And when that signal appears, it’s your moment to move from thinking to building.

Thank you, Jim, for your generosity, time, and faith in my dream.

It was an honor to learn from you — not just about technology, but about the architecture of impact itself.

Today, I’m proud to share the strategic partnership between AIREV HOLDING LIMITED and Alpha Data Group, one of the UAE’s longest-standing technology pioneers.

For me, this is more than a business update — it’s a reflection of how far the UAE’s innovation ecosystem has come.

When I first started amplifying AI stories from our region, my goal was simple: to show that the future of intelligence can be built here, not imported.

And today, seeing AIREV HOLDING LIMITED — a UAE-born company join forces with Alpha Data, a national institution with over four decades of excellence, feels like that vision turning into reality.

This collaboration bridges agentic AI infrastructure with enterprise integration at scale — combining OnDemand’s AI operating system with Alpha Data reach and trust across government and enterprise sectors.

Together, this partnership isn’t just about deploying AI.

It’s about engineering a national architecture — where intelligence becomes the invisible engine behind every transformation, from cloud and cybersecurity to automation and beyond.

Because the UAE isn’t simply adopting AI — It’s integrating it into the DNA of its economy.

AIREV × Alpha Data =
Intelligence × Infrastructure → Impact

Grateful to witness this milestone up close — and even prouder to see a UAE-born innovation story expand globally with purpose, excellence, and pride.

To the entire AIREV HOLDING LIMITED family — congratulations.

You’re not just building technology; you’re building trust in what the UAE can create for the world.

Because here… partnerships don’t compete — They compound value.

Proud to announce the strategic partnership between AIREV HOLDING LIMITED and Intel Corporation — a milestone that goes far beyond technology.

This is a moment that captures what the UAE’s innovation ecosystem was built for.

A homegrown company, AIREV HOLDING LIMITED, and its flagship platform OnDemand, born right here in the Emirates,
is now partnering with Intel, one of the most powerful names in global computing
proving that UAE innovation doesn’t just participate in the future… it builds it.

Over the past months, OnDemand has been running directly on Intel hardware — from Gaudi AI accelerators and Xeon processors to the new generation of AI PCs.

And now, this collaboration evolves into a joint global Go-To-Market strategy — designed to deliver agentic AI at scale across enterprises, governments, and industries.

As His Excellency Dr. Thani Al Zeyoudi — United Arab Emirates Minister of Foreign Trade, said:

“AIREV HOLDING LIMITED, which entered the UAE market through the NextGen FDI initiative, is a promising OnDemand platform enabling enterprises across the region to harness the transformative power of advanced technology. This new partnership with Intel Corporation will underpin their offering with best-in-class hardware and further accelerate their growing portfolio of customers.”

For the UAE, this partnership represents something deeper than business.

It’s a reflection of our national DNA — vision, partnership, and progress.

A homegrown company that started as an idea in Abu Dhabi, now scaling globally alongside one of the world’s most iconic technology corporations.

This is what the UAE Vision 2031 stands for:
local innovation, global relevance, and leadership that inspires the world to see what the Emirates can create.

I’m genuinely proud of the team at AIREV HOLDING LIMITED and OnDemand — for proving that when innovation is born in the UAE, it carries the power to reach everywhere.

From 3–6 November 2025, ADIPEC Exhibition and Conference 2025 will turn Abu Dhabi into the global capital of the energy future.

Under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and hosted by ADNOC Group, ADIPEC Exhibition and Conference 2025 returns under one powerful theme:

Energy. Intelligence. Impact.

The Equation of Global Progress

From AI to hydrogen, from capital to collaboration — ADIPEC 2025 unites the entire global energy ecosystem to build resilient systems that power people, economies, and the planet.

Here’s what makes it unmissable:

• 3–6 November 2025
• ADNEC Centre, Abu Dhabi
• 205,000+ attendees
• 54 NOCs, IOCs, and IECs
• 30+ national pavilions
• 1,800+ speakers
• 2,200+ exhibiting companies

This is not just an exhibition.
It’s the world’s most influential energy intelligence summit.

5 Global Imperatives Driving ADIPEC 2025

1. Delivering Energy Addition

Meeting rising demand while accelerating decarbonisation — because the future needs more energy, not less.

2. Building Resilient Systems

From geopolitics to supply shocks — resilience is the new currency of progress.

3. Mobilising Investment for Impact

Unprecedented energy demand requires unprecedented capital.

ADIPEC convenes the world’s leading financiers and innovators to unlock the trillions needed for a just and sustainable transition.

4. Scaling Intelligent Solutions

Where energy meets AI: from predictive analytics to autonomous systems — intelligence is now the ultimate efficiency driver.

Featuring global AI leaders:

• Arthur Mensch (Mistral AI)
• Dr. Guy Diedrich (Cisco)
• Uljan Sharka (Domyn)
• Jack Hidary (SandboxAQ)
• Tim Bawtree (Quantum Switch)
• Prof. Anima Anandkumar (Caltech)

5. Driving Collaboration for Global Progress

Energy security is a shared mission.

From the UAE to the USA, from KSA to Austria, ADIPEC 2025 will host leaders shaping global policy and purpose — including:

• H.E. Suhail Al Mazrouei (UAE)
• H.R.H. Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman (KSA)
• Doug Burgum (USA)
• H.E. Saad Al Kaabi (Qatar)

When Energy Thinks

This year introduces the AI Zone — a new frontier showcasing how artificial intelligence is revolutionising the energy value chain, making operations faster, cleaner, and smarter.

Alongside it, the Low Carbon & Chemicals Expo unveils scalable pathways in carbon capture, hydrogen, and energy storage — transforming theory into measurable progress.

Why Abu Dhabi Leads

ADIPEC isn’t just hosted in Abu Dhabi —
it’s shaped by the UAE’s vision for global progress, where inclusion, innovation, and investment move together.

Every conversation, every deal, every commitment made here — echoes across economies.

This is where the next decade of energy transformation begins.

Don’t Miss This Opportunity

Get your tickets today at www.adipec.com