AGP Executive Report

Gaza Diplomacy: Saudi Arabia, the UAE and six other Arab and Muslim countries issued a joint warning against any attempt to displace Palestinians from Gaza, rejecting “voluntary emigration” talk and reaffirming support for a sovereign Palestinian state on 1967 lines. Abu Dhabi Events: ADNEC Group (Modon) is gearing up for a record second half of 2026 with 297 events across Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, spanning AI, defence, healthcare, education, fashion and more. Heritage & Books: Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (ADIBF 2026) will roll out “Emirati Pioneers,” documenting cultural and thought leaders to preserve national memory for future generations. Culture & Leisure: Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi is expanding its Harry Potter project into three themed lands, with a full reveal teased for Sept 7. Education Costs: Back-to-school spending is squeezing family budgets, with vouchers and discounts offered to ease the load. UAE Tech for Students: The AI Office and Google Gemini are offering one-year free “Google AI Plus” access for university students. Local Safety: Dubai Police kick off school visits to boost safety awareness and build direct trust with students.

UAE Culture & Accessibility: Dubai Culture rolls out the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower programme at Al Shindagha and Etihad museums, training staff and letting visitors discreetly request help with non-visible disabilities. Abu Dhabi Sports Tourism: UFC 333 lands at Etihad Arena on Oct 24, with Volkanovski vs Evloev headlining and fan events running alongside the main card. Emirati Women in Tech: MBZUAI’s Dr Hanan Aldarmaki highlights expanding opportunities for Emirati women in AI research and teaching. Heritage & Lifestyle: Inside the Zaha Hadid Foundation, a new look at the architect’s archive shows how design, education and exhibitions keep her vision alive. Youth & Community Sport: UAE tops the AJP Tour Asia Continental Jiu-Jitsu standings in Abu Dhabi, with strong Emirati women participation noted. Travel Disruption: UAE flights face fresh delays and cancellations as regional tensions continue; Cathay Pacific also extends suspensions to Dubai and Riyadh. Education Policy: UAE moves to new school grade review and attendance rules for the coming academic year, including Friday attendance guidance. International Spotlight: Oman reports a rise in Indian tourist arrivals, up 11% in 2025.

Cultural Diplomacy & Heritage: ADIHEX returns to Abu Dhabi with a bigger, heritage-led programme as Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed toured falconry, hunting, equestrianism and craft pavilions—highlighting how tradition is being passed to youth through “tradition and modernity” experiences. Human Rights & Justice: UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed pardoned Egyptian opposition poet Abdul Rahman al-Qaradawi after a 10-year cybercrime sentence, with procedures reportedly completed though release details remain unclear. Education & Civic Values: Chief Justice of India Surya Kant urged BRICS to become a “living Nalanda University,” calling for healthy disagreement and timely, predictable justice delivery. Tourism Trade: Ajman wrapped up a three-city India roadshow (Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad) and launched an incentive programme to boost bookings and deepen travel trade partnerships. Wellbeing & Healthcare: Dubai’s Dubai Anesthesia Conference and Exhibition opened, bringing together international specialists to focus on pain management, perioperative care and patient safety. Sports & Culture: Harmanpreet Kaur marked a milestone 150th T20I as captain in Dubai during the Women’s Asia Cup.

UAE Culture & Diplomacy: President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed pardoned Egyptian dissident-poet Abdul Rahman al-Qaradawi, days after a 10-year sentence for cybercrime charges—raising fresh questions about free speech and regional political tensions. Education Reform: The UAE Ministry of Education is rolling out a four-stage grade review system for 2026–27, aiming to standardise marking from classroom level up to national testing bodies. Heritage & Lifestyle: A UAE heritage spotlight celebrates gahwa as a living symbol of Emirati identity and hospitality, from dallah brewing to UNESCO-recognised Arabic coffee traditions. Public Safety: Sharjah Police flagged distracted driving as a major cause of crashes, citing 22 deaths linked to driver distraction in 2025. Real Estate & Homebuying: Aldar completed Abu Dhabi’s first off-plan mortgage under the ADREC framework, letting the financing bank be named on registration before handover. Community & Philanthropy: The inaugural “I See You” gala in Dubai on 13 September will fund mental health, education and prison rehabilitation via 100% proceeds.

UAE Consumer Protection: The Ministry of Economy and Tourism says suppliers must pull adulterated, spoiled or counterfeit goods from markets and warehouses within 24 hours after notification, under updated anti-commercial fraud executive regulations. Education & Tech: The UAE AI Office and Google are offering “Google AI Plus” to university students for free for one year, with tools and 400GB storage aimed at learning, research and creativity. Talent Pipeline: Space42 launched its Future Spacers Program for Emirati students, focusing on STEM, AI, data and emerging tech for up to 16 weeks at its Abu Dhabi facilities. Real Estate Finance: Aldar completed Abu Dhabi’s first off-plan mortgage financing registration under the new ADREC framework, allowing the mortgage bank to be named on the registration certificate before handover. Culture & Heritage: Abu Dhabi’s IFHC and DCT Abu Dhabi signed an MoU to boost natural heritage conservation, education and museum-linked awareness programmes during ADIHEX. Lifestyle: Dubai’s new school timings from September 7 set full-day schedules with stage and gender variations, plus shorter Friday timetables. Humanitarian Giving: A UAE foreign aid roundup highlights $95.06b in assistance across 190+ countries over five decades, shifting from emergency response to longer-term development. Arts & Community: Abu Dhabi’s Emirati Women’s Day programming and Dubai’s Laureates real estate platform both spotlight leadership and excellence through community-focused initiatives.

Education & AI Skills: Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum stressed investing in human capital and continuous learning as the UAE prepares future-ready talent, while the UAE also rolls out AI support for students and schools. Learning Innovation: The UAE is taking project-based learning to 129,000 pupils, with a focus on problem-solving across Arabic, English, maths and science. Charity With a Future Focus: The UAE marks International Day of Charity with a shift toward sustainable giving, including the Edge of Life campaign’s push to save children from hunger. Culture on the Move: Abu Dhabi’s Doorway to Abu Dhabi Festival drew 580,000+ visitors in Moscow, showcasing Emirati gahwa, crafts, music and heritage performances. Heritage Meets Modern Events: ADIHEX 2026 puts falconry, Saluki traditions and interactive heritage learning in the spotlight, blending culture with hands-on experiences. Sport & Tradition: Abu Dhabi hosts the UAE’s first global professional sumo competition on September 26, bringing elite rikishi and centuries-old rituals to Space42 Arena. Travel & Daily Life: UAE flight disruptions are reported amid regional security advisories, with travellers urged to check status before heading out. Workplace Wellbeing: A UAE/GCC study finds employees value health benefits and wellbeing over “nice-to-have” perks like free food.

UAE Education & AI: Abu Dhabi’s Private Education Committee met to review the 2026–27 academic year, with a focus on the National Education Charter, curriculum updates, stronger foundational skills, and training teachers to use AI in classrooms. Cultural Heritage & Events: ADIHEX 2026 drew a high-profile visit from Abu Dhabi’s Crown Prince, spotlighting hunting, equestrian sports, falconry and heritage—plus youth-focused efforts to preserve Emirati traditions. Consumer Protection: The UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism says suppliers must pull counterfeit or adulterated goods from markets and warehouses within 24 hours after notification under new anti-commercial fraud executive regulations. Tech & Connectivity: Starlink says its high-speed satellite internet is now live in the UAE after Abu Dhabi’s 10-year public-network licence. STEM for Kids: Mind Base Education wrapped up an Abu Dhabi STEM summer programme with robotics, coding, AI, 3D design and space science hands-on learning. Sports & Community: UAE captain Esha Oza backed the home side to bounce back after a tough start in the Women’s Asia Cup. Business & Lifestyle: Paperworld Middle East returns for its 15th edition in October, with sustainability a key theme.

UAE Culture & Language: Abu Dhabi’s DCT Abu Dhabi is set to host an “Ajyal Poetry Lab” and a wider push to spotlight Arabic’s digital future, with youth workshops, newsroom simulations and AI-supported mobile journalism sessions aimed at emerging creators. Women’s Empowerment: Sheikha Fatima has launched a national charter for Emirati women, adding to a growing set of commitments backing women in leadership and public life. Education & Tech: The UAE Cabinet has approved a Cabinet AI Advisor system with 32 specialized agents to support ministers with policy analysis and implementation follow-up, while Sheikh Mohammed also announced an AI curriculum for schools. Work & Immigration: MoHRE has launched a digital work permit service for overseas hiring, streamlining employer-side applications for foreign recruitment (without removing existing labour and immigration requirements). Sports & Heritage: Abu Dhabi will welcome the UAE’s first international professional sumo event at Space42 Arena, bringing Japanese traditions and a multi-country lineup to the capital. Travel Safety: UK and US advisories flag heightened regional unpredictability, with possible flight disruptions and airspace closures.

UAE Culture & Youth: Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism has launched the “Ajyal Poetry Lab” with the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre to spot and train Emirati Nabati poetry talent aged 14–18, ending in a public performance at Al Ain Book Festival’s “Poetry Nights: The Sung Word” (Nov 17–23). Women’s Empowerment: Sheikha Fatima’s legacy is being extended through a new national charter for Emirati women, built around eight commitments spanning identity, education, work, innovation, family stability and intergenerational bonds. AI in Daily Life & Education: Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid chaired the Cabinet meeting and pushed ahead with an agentic AI transformation for government services, plus an AI curriculum for all UAE public and private schools. Domestic Workers Rights: The UAE published a full federal list of six prohibited acts against domestic workers, including discrimination, harassment, forced labour and physical harm. Architecture Spotlight: Zayed National Museum has been shortlisted for the World Architecture Festival for its sustainable, culture-led design by Foster + Partners. Regional Tensions: Reports say a US missile hit a wedding gathering in southern Iran, raising fresh concerns about civilian harm amid the Hormuz-area conflict.

Youth Sports & Inclusion: The Manchester City Abu Dhabi Cup is set for its biggest-ever edition in January 2027, with more teams, added individual awards, and girls’ categories at U12, U14 and U16. Pop Culture & Community: MEFCC 2026 is framed as a “home” for comics, anime, gaming and film fans—proof that real-world connection still matters in a screen-first era. Education & Tech: A major study on AI and homework finds faster, higher homework scores but weaker learning outcomes when exams are taken without AI—raising big questions for Gulf classrooms. UAE Learning & Culture: The UAE National Commission for Education, Culture and Science visits ICESCO in Sharjah to boost cooperation in education, science and culture. Lifestyle & Travel: DCT Abu Dhabi’s top executive backs a visa-subsidy push for Indian arrivals, while WINGIE spotlights autumn travel trends like culture-led city breaks and nature escapes. Sharjah Hospitality: Vida Aljada opens in Sharjah as a new five-star anchor for the district. Women & Determination: Emirati Women’s Day coverage spotlights mothers raising young people with disabilities and the push for lasting inclusion beyond childhood. Real Estate Help: Abu Dhabi’s Rental Index map lets renters compare official rent ranges by community.

UAE Culture & Lifestyle: Abu Dhabi’s BREDx returns to Etihad Live on Nov 13-14 with Bryson Tiller and Central Cee, mixing music, fashion, art, sports and food. Emirati Arts & Identity: Wafi City hosts Emirati artist Maisoon Al Saleh’s “A Desert in Bloom” for Emirati Women’s Month, blending surrealist desert imagery with heritage and resilience. Education & Youth: Dubai’s RTA launches a new student safety drive as schools reopen, targeting safer habits from early years. Sports (UAE-linked): Team USA names its road world roster in Montreal, with UAE Team Emirates-XRG riders Brandon McNulty and Kevin Vermaerke among the elite. Global Culture: Frieze Abu Dhabi is set to anchor the region’s art calendar as fall 2026 brings major museum openings and fairs worldwide. Humanitarian: Nepal flood recovery continues after Aug 26, with mass burials as the death toll tops 1,000 and hundreds of children remain missing. UAE Governance & Global Ties: Abu Dhabi hosts a UN peacekeeping chiefs workshop with participants from 23 countries, focusing on responsive and gender-sensitive policing.

UAE Education & Talent: Minerva Virtual Academy will host a Dubai parent event on 6 September on the future of education, focusing on flexibility, personalisation and what “the right environment” means for different learners. STEM Pipeline: The UAE launches a National Programme for Advanced Sciences and Technology to grow homegrown Emirati experts, linking school-to-industry talent needs with long-term economic plans. Sustainability in Hospitality: The Emirates Environmental Group unveiled the Emirates Hospitality Sustainability Alliance in Sharjah, pushing collective action on energy, water, waste and food waste across the sector. Cybersecurity for Students: Circularo returns as Gold Sponsor of the School of Cyber Defence Competition 2026, culminating in a live final on 18 September at GISEC Global. Lifestyle & Travel Perks: Careem rolls out 20% cashback on Abu Dhabi and Al Ain food orders from 1 September—even when ordered via other delivery apps—while Marriott Bonvoy ADIB cards let everyday spending earn points for stays and upgrades. Real Estate & Regional Growth: Arada signs with the Syrian Sovereign Fund for a $7bn integrated city project near Damascus, marking a major UAE developer entry into Syria. Back-to-school Pulse: UAE school return updates include phased reopening and preparations for smoother first days.

UAE Travel Inclusion: Emirates becomes the world’s first airline to earn Autism Certified Airline™ status, with 30,000 staff trained for autism and sensory needs. Education & Women’s Research: University of Sharjah announces QUWA’s Sixth Forum for Women in Research (March 31–April 1, 2027), spotlighting women researchers across health, tech, sciences and humanities. School Season in the UAE: UAE President sends a back-to-school message as 1.27m students return, with Dubai activating 150 ambulance points for the school rush. Local Culture & Lifestyle: Comedy Box Office returns to Dubai at Emirates International Theatre, featuring Indian stand-up lineups from September through December. Hospitality Sustainability: UAE hospitality sector launches a sustainability alliance (EEG/EEA), aiming for measurable impact and a future sector sustainability standard. Safety & Scams: India’s Dubai consulate warns residents about visa/Emirates ID and employment scams that ask for biometric data. Global Context: Arab states, including the UAE, condemn renewed Iranian attacks on Jordan and the UAE.

UAE Education & Youth: The new school year kicks off for 1.27m pupils, with a push toward character-building, smarter tech use, and less homework for early grades—plus device-free gains reported from pilots. National Science Drive: The UAE launches a National Program for Advanced Sciences and Technologies to link education, research, and talent with strategic industries. Culture Calendar: DWTC unveils its 2026 year-end events calendar, while September’s UAE lineup includes the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair and major education and tech forums. Food & Lifestyle: Taco Bell returns to the UAE after 14 years as Americana plans a phased GCC rollout. Dubai Dining Pop-up: SUSHISAMBA Dubai lands at The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands for a three-night cultural takeover. Lottery Story: A Filipina expat in Dubai becomes the UAE Lottery’s first female millionaire after winning Dh5m. Regional Tensions: Iran and the US trade strikes again, with Iran claiming attacks on US bases in Jordan and the UAE reporting interception of an Iranian drone over its waters.

UAE Culture & Heritage: ADIHEX 2026 in Abu Dhabi is spotlighting authentic Emirati heritage, from traditional boats and artwork to family-focused activities, with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid praising the fair’s role in renewing cultural and historical significance. Women Shaping Policy: As Emirati Women’s Month runs through late August, coverage highlights how Emirati women are moving from participation to leadership—shaping AI-native government strategy and long-term policy decisions. Science & Education Push: President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed has approved a National Programme for Advanced Sciences and Technologies, aiming to build a pipeline of Emirati experts by linking education, research and industry. Palestine in Dubai: Dr Anwar Gargash and thousands at Expo City Dubai marked “Emirates Loves Palestine,” reaffirming UAE support and a welcoming home for Palestinians. Travel Practicality: Residents can now check UAE travel ban status online via official channels, covering both civil and criminal cases. Regional Tensions: Iran’s supreme leader urged Muslim unity against the US and Israel as Strait of Hormuz talks remain tense. Sports Note: UAE Team Emirates-XRG rider Sivakov featured in Vuelta stage drama, while Enric Mas won stage 9 to extend his red jersey lead.

Emirati Women’s Day 2026: UAE marks Aug 28 with a look back at how Emirati women’s roles have shifted over 50 years—and a “50:50 Vision” horizon stretching to 2075, framing women as partners in shaping the next era. Airport Welcome-Back Culture: Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports roll out free perks for returning residents ahead of the new school year, from live music and mascots to “welcome home” sign-making and taxi treats. AI for Real-World Problems: UAE-based researchers and young innovators spotlight safer software and practical AI—ranging from vulnerability detection work to a 19-year-old using AI for farming, transport and deepfake detection. Tech & Geopolitics: Huawei’s bid to supply Egypt with AI data-centre chips raises fresh US concerns, while debate grows over AI data centres’ impact. Heritage & Community Events: “Emirates Loves Palestine” draws 50,000+ at Expo City Dubai, celebrating Palestinian culture through a major community gathering. School-Season Safety: Dubai Police coordinates with education partners on “Accident-Free Day” to boost traffic awareness for students and families. UAE Lifestyle Watch: A UAE PFAS clothing concern story joins wider “low-tox” scrutiny, while Dubai’s Harrow International School prepares for its grand opening. Sharjah Maritime Youth Workshops: Al Maleh and Fishing Festival in Dibba Al Hisn keeps heritage alive with hands-on workshops for younger generations. Film & Pop Culture: Tom Cruise announces a “Days of Thunder” sequel, with Anne Hathaway set to co-star.