AGP Executive Report

Screen & Stage: Ananya Panday will host the IIFA Awards in Abu Dhabi for the first time when the celebration of Indian cinema returns to Yas Island on January 22–23, 2027. Dubai Style: The city’s shopping scene is looking to the past, with vintage and antique stores selling everything from retro accessories to old radios and furniture from around the world. Abu Dhabi Events: The capital has unveiled more than 40 cultural and entertainment events through early 2027, alongside its Abu Dhabi Festival, which runs until December 19. Arts & Culture: Dubai’s new Orchestra Foundation aims to strengthen the city’s music scene, while the long-awaited Guggenheim Abu Dhabi is set to open with an exhibition exploring architect Frank Gehry’s designs and the museum’s development.

Abu Dhabi’s Cultural Season: More than 40 cultural, sporting and entertainment events are planned through early 2027, including the Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi’s opening. The 23rd Abu Dhabi Festival has also opened with a performance by the UAE National Orchestra. Family Outings: Dubai Safari Park’s eighth season is under way, with a week of children’s activities alongside wildlife encounters. Health & Wellbeing: Doctors say one in five UAE residents lives with arthritis and urge people to seek advice for persistent joint pain. A Dubai community event on October 24 will offer practical workshops and support. Emirati Style: The traditional mkhawer is finding new expression in contemporary fabrics and designs while keeping its familiar silhouette. Books Across Borders: Abu Dhabi’s Arabic Language Centre has signed 14 translation and publishing projects in seven languages, bringing Emirati and Arab writing to new readers. Community Sport: Dubai’s Al Salam Cycling Championship returns from December 27, with five races for amateur and professional riders.

Abu Dhabi Festival: The 23rd edition opened at Etihad Arena with the UAE National Orchestra and pianist David Khrikuli. Running through December 19, the programme celebrates Emirati culture and international arts dialogue. Mental Wellbeing: Saudi German Hospital Dubai has launched a coordinated mental health hub, with dedicated services for children and adolescents, including assessments, treatment and family support. Community Sport: Dubai’s Al Salam Cycling Championship returns December 27 with five races for men and women, around 1,900 expected participants and Dh3.695 million in prize money. Dubai’s Music Scene: A new Orchestra Foundation aims to nurture Emirati talent and strengthen the city’s cultural offering. Sharjah Arts: The 12th Sharjah Calligraphy Biennial has opened, spotlighting the art form as a channel for cultural exchange.

Family Days Out: Legoland Dubai has reopened with a Halloween programme for children running through November 2, while Global Village’s next season is set to return with new additions. Arts & Culture: Dubai has established an Orchestra Foundation to support music and Emirati talent; Sharjah’s 12th Calligraphy Biennial is also under way, and Louvre Abu Dhabi has named Souraya Noujaim its new director. Screen & Streaming: STARZPLAY has added JioHotstar, bringing Indian films, series and reality shows in several languages to audiences across the region. Women in Sport: Abu Dhabi’s Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy marked 16 years of developing athletes, coaches and leaders and widening women’s participation in sport.

Family Experiences: Real Madrid World reopened at Dubai Parks and Resorts, with Madridista members eligible for 20% off tickets, food and merchandise when they buy at the park’s ticket office. Dubai’s four-day Motor, Outdoor & Camping Festival is set for Jan. 14–17 at The Sevens Stadium, with activities for families and outdoor enthusiasts. Music & Performance: Dubai’s new Orchestra Foundation aims to establish a local orchestra, nurture Emirati talent and expand music education. Abu Dhabi is also set to welcome The Phantom of the Opera. Accessible Culture: Al Ain Museum’s “Artism” programme is developing more welcoming, sensory-aware learning experiences for autistic children and young people. Arts & Heritage: Sharjah has opened its 12th Calligraphy Biennial, while Louvre Abu Dhabi has appointed Souraya Noujaim as its new director.

Arts & Music: Dubai has established the Dubai Orchestra Foundation to build a local orchestra, support emerging talent and promote Emirati musical heritage. Abu Dhabi will host The Phantom of the Opera at Etihad Arena from March 10 to 28, 2027. Sharjah Calligraphy: The emirate has opened the 12th Sharjah Calligraphy Biennial, bringing the traditional art form into focus. Wellbeing: For World Mental Health Day, UAE specialists urged families and workplaces to listen without judgement, pointing to Dubai’s Itma’en services and Sahatna app as sources of support. Dining: The MICHELIN Guide Dubai 2026 is out, with Trèsind Studio and Björn Frantzén retaining three stars.

Music & the Arts: Dubai has established the Dubai Orchestra Foundation to promote Emirati music, support emerging artists and expand music education. Sharjah has opened its 12th Calligraphy Biennial, while Guggenheim Abu Dhabi has revealed its architectural vision ahead of a planned December 11 opening. Seasonal Attractions: Dubai Miracle Garden has opened its 15th season with 200 million flowers, and Global Village is preparing to return for season 31 with new additions. Community: A UAE humanitarian airlift has begun sending food aid to Gaza, part of a campaign targeting more than 10 million meals.

Motherhood & Childhood: The Fatima bint Mubarak Centre convened researchers and government representatives in Al Ain to set priorities for studies on health, education and social care for mothers and children. Family Learning: Sharjah’s Rubu’ Qarn programme wrapped up activities introducing children to Emirati, Chinese and Polish cultures through stories, crafts and creative projects. Arts & Heritage: Sharjah opened its 12th Calligraphy Biennial, while the UAE National Orchestra performed at the opening of Abu Dhabi Festival 2026. A Blooming Season: Dubai Miracle Garden has reopened with more than 200 million flowers across 72,000 square metres; weekly themes and family activities are planned through May 31. Screen Time: JioHotstar has launched on STARZPLAY across MENA, bringing Hindi, Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Bangla and other South Asian programming to regional viewers.

Education: GEMS plans a memorial scholarship for Dubai teacher Anjana Sanalkumar, honouring her 33 years of service at Westminster School. Stage & Music: Crazy Horse Paris will open its first permanent show outside France at Dubai’s Zabeel Theatre on November 12, with a production tailored to the emirate. Abu Dhabi Festival opens October 10 with the UAE National Orchestra performing works by Suppé, Rachmaninoff and Dvořák. Public Spaces: Dubai Miracle Garden’s 15th season has opened with more than 200 million flowers and weekly themes running through May 2027. Heritage: A new bilingual book documents 76 Emirati recipes, preserving the stories and traditions behind the country’s cuisine. Dining: The 2026 MICHELIN Guide Dubai lists 122 restaurants; Trèsind Studio and FZN by Björn Frantzén retain three stars.

Beauty & Fragrance: Beautyworld Dubai opened its 30th edition at Dubai World Trade Centre, putting regional fragrance houses and new beauty products in the spotlight. Calligraphy: Sharjah Ruler Sheikh Sultan opened the 12th Sharjah Calligraphy Biennale, running in Heart of Sharjah until November 15; Emirati artist Mahmoud Al-Abadi received a special jury award. Nature & Heritage: Sharjah’s Sir Bu Nair Festival is under way at Al Heera Beach through October 18, with workshops and performances celebrating the island’s wildlife and maritime heritage. Dubai’s Cultural Calendar: Global Village returns on October 14 with 29 pavilions representing more than 90 cultures, plus new family passports and shows. Museum News: Louvre Abu Dhabi has appointed Souraya Noujaim as director as the museum enters its next phase. What’s Coming: Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” jacket and moonwalk glove will headline a December auction at Rosewood Abu Dhabi. Dining: The MICHELIN Guide Dubai marks its fifth edition, reflecting the city’s growing confidence in its own culinary identity.

Arts & Heritage: Sharjah Ruler Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi inaugurated the 12th Sharjah Calligraphy Biennale, featuring 681 artworks and awards for artists from across the region and beyond. Museum Leadership: Louvre Abu Dhabi has named Souraya Noujaim as its new director. An art historian specialising in Islamic art, she previously led the Musée du Louvre’s Department of Islamic Arts. Education & Community: Abu Dhabi’s AiNative programme aims to train 20,000 government employees in AI by year-end, with learning also available to the public; Dubai has introduced councils for parents, students and educators. Food & Wellbeing: New UAE rules will gradually cap sugar, salt and fat in packaged foods, with final limits due by 2030. Things to Do: Dubai Safari Park reopens on October 12 with a new children’s base camp, while the latest MICHELIN guides spotlight the emirates’ growing dining scenes.

Museum Leadership: Louvre Abu Dhabi has appointed art historian Souraya Noujaim as its new Director, bringing deep Islamic art expertise and a long track record with the museum as it prepares for its 10th anniversary in 2027. Real Estate & Lifestyle: Azizi Developments broke ground on Azizi Florence in Sharjah, a AED30bn, 30-million-sq-ft master-planned community with 10,000+ homes and a major Bardini Park. AI for Public Service: Abu Dhabi launched AiNative, an AI training push with OpenAI, Microsoft and MBZUAI, aiming to train 20,000 government employees by end-2026 and build an AI-native government by 2027. Education & Community: Dubai rolled out its first parents’ and educators’ councils under the Education 33 strategy, giving students, families and schools a formal voice in policy. Culture & Heritage: Abu Dhabi named Dr Mohamed Al Zaabi Undersecretary for Culture and Tourism, reinforcing the emirate’s push to grow heritage, creativity and tourism. Family Support: Ma’an (Abu Dhabi) launched My Family Innovates to help productive families turn home-based businesses into market-ready ventures. Food & Health Policy: The UAE moved to cap sodium, sugar and fat in selected packaged foods, as obesity remains a major public health concern. Aviation & Safety: Flydubai’s co-pilot case continues to dominate headlines, with new reporting on his training background and the investigation into the attempted crash. Business & Investment: UAE-Belarus TISIA entered into force, setting a framework to expand services trade and investment, including education and healthcare.

UAE Education & AI: Abu Dhabi’s Education First Forum, organised by Emirates College for Advanced Education, launched NAMA’A, a family-focused initiative, and stressed that AI should support learning without replacing human interaction and teachers. Culture & Literature: Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre will take “Kalima to the World” to the Frankfurt Book Fair, announcing new translation and co-publishing partnerships to expand Emirati and Arab literature globally. Food & Dining: MICHELIN Guide Dubai’s 5th edition is out, featuring 122 restaurants and a major highlight: Orfali Bros promoted to Two Stars. Media & Business: Dubai Media mapped its next growth phase around innovation, digital transformation and deeper advertiser partnerships. Charity & Community: Sharjah Charity International launched a drive to sponsor 100 teachers, aiming to keep educators in remote communities and children in school. Sports for Youth: MIDEA Dubai Schools Games enters its 7th season with 210 schools and 23,000 students across 31 sports. International Links: UAE and Moldova signed an MoU between diplomatic institutes covering joint training, exchanges and digitalisation in diplomacy. Lifestyle & Travel: Emirates NBD unveiled a bank-led AI travel planner with Visa and Tripadvisor.

UAE Innovation: The UAE breaks into the world’s top 25 most innovative economies for the first time, ranking 25th in the Global Innovation Index 2026 as WIPO credits stronger innovation inputs, digital infrastructure, and talent. Dubai Education & Culture: Dubai awards Golden Visas to outstanding educators on World Teachers’ Day, spotlighting the emirate’s push to attract and retain top teaching talent. Community & Lifestyle: Registration is open for Dubai Ride, the Dubai Fitness Challenge highlight, with a free November 1 cycling event on Sheikh Zayed Road and routes for families and serious riders. Family Fun in Dubai: Dubai Safari Park reopens October 12 with “Wildest Opening Week” and a Little Explorers’ Base Camp, adding new hands-on experiences for kids. Food & Standards: Sadia Halal’s Kezad unit wins Champion in Food Safety & Regulatory Compliance at the UAE Food Cluster’s Champion Awards 2026. Sports & Wellness: Club 15 launches in Al Quoz this October as a “sports city within the city,” combining gyms, recovery, swimming, padel, basketball, and kids’ areas. Arts & Heritage: Sharjah Calligraphy Forum returns October 7 with 681 artworks by 272 artists across exhibitions and workshops. Tech & Security: Asos says it’s investigating after thousands of customers received app notifications claiming a data compromise. Aviation Incident Watch: Flydubai’s FZ1073 cockpit plunge sparks a “false flag” online debate, while New Zealand police confirm the co-pilot completed part of flight training there.

World Teachers’ Day & Education: Dubai honoured outstanding private-sector educators with 10-year Golden Visas under Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed’s directive, part of Education 33, with a selection process based on qualifications, achievements and measurable impact on student outcomes. UAE Innovation Spotlight: The UAE entered the world’s top 25 innovation economies for the first time in the Global Innovation Index 2026, ranking 25th and topping indicators tied to entrepreneurship policy, international student attraction, and startup funding. Culture & Architecture: Guggenheim Abu Dhabi’s architectural vision was revealed ahead of its December 11 opening, with Frank Gehry’s site-specific design shaped by Abu Dhabi’s landscape, climate and visitor experience. Tech & Lifestyle: Binance launched “Binance Intelligence” in Abu Dhabi, rolling out AI tools to help users understand financial information and turn ideas into strategies. Space Week: Sharjah’s World Space Week 2026, themed “Rocket Revolution,” spotlights UAE space momentum through missions, reusable launch advances and new satellite work. Dubai Mobility Safety: Naif Police ran a campaign targeting scooters, e-bikes and bicycles, combining awareness with enforcement and impounding hundreds of vehicles. Global Context: A Flydubai cockpit attack attempt has triggered fresh debate on aviation security and regional accountability.

World Teachers’ Day: UAE leaders used the day to spotlight teachers as nation-builders, stressing education’s role in shaping identity, values and future-ready skills. UAE Education & AI: A separate UAE education piece highlights how AI is reshaping learning and raises the bar for teachers’ ongoing professional development. Dubai Fitness Challenge: Registrations are open for the 10th Dubai Ride, kicking off the Dubai Fitness Challenge on 1 Nov with cycling past major landmarks like the Museum of the Future, Burj Khalifa and Dubai Opera. Abu Dhabi Real Estate: Burtville launched Bab Al Qasr Beach Resort Residence 77 on Al Reem Island, offering direct beachfront living with handover planned for Q4 2031. UAE Travel Tech: Emirates NBD rolled out the UAE’s first bank-led AI Travel Assistant with personalised itineraries and offers. Social Gaming in Dubai: Sunset Hospitality opened Kapitol at Rixos Premium Dubai JBR, bringing high-tech social gaming plus dining and group-event packages. Deepfake Defense: Dubai’s DESC says its SARAAB system can detect deepfakes in very short clips, with plans to share it for wider testing. Flydubai Aftermath: Ongoing coverage continues to scrutinise the Flydubai cockpit attack and the security failures around it.