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Abu Dhabi and Dubai have agreed to simplify the movement of foreign yachts between the two emirates, removing duplicate procedures and aligning regulatory requirements in a move aimed at strengthening the UAE’s maritime sector.

Under the new protocol, sailing permits issued by either emirate will be mutually recognized, allowing foreign yachts to travel between Abu Dhabi and Dubai without repeating local entry and exit formalities. Vessel, crew, and passenger information will be shared through the Early Inquiry System Application Programming Interface (API), reducing administrative duplication.

The agreement follows coordination meetings between Abu Dhabi Maritime, the Dubai Maritime Authority at the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation, and several local and federal bodies, including the National Guard, the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security, and Dubai Customs. Officials said the initiative reflects a broader effort to unify maritime regulations and support sector growth across the UAE.

Sheikh Dr. Saeed bin Ahmed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum, CEO of the Dubai Maritime Authority, said the unified approach builds on Dubai’s experience in facilitating yacht visits and supports the country’s ambition to remain a leading maritime destination. Captain Saif Al Mheiri, CEO of Abu Dhabi Maritime and Chief Sustainability Officer at AD Ports Group, said the initiative would simplify maritime mobility and enhance the global competitiveness of both emirates as yachting hubs.

The protocol is scheduled to take effect in January 2026, with shipping agents to be notified ahead of implementation.

Photo credits: Government of Dubai Media Office

Oksana Bozhko

Oksana Bozhko is a Contributor to Dubai Voice.

Expo City Dubai concluded a full calendar of international forums, cultural events and community activities in 2025, hosting more than 75 events and welcoming hundreds of thousands of visitors. Organisers said preparations are underway for an expanded slate of major gatherings in 2026, alongside events at the neighbouring Dubai Exhibition Centre.

Throughout the year, the site hosted sustainability summits, educational forums, cultural festivals and sporting competitions, reinforcing its role as a venue for large-scale international meetings and public engagement. Sholto Douglas-Home, chief marketing and sales officer at Expo City Dubai, said the city’s performance as both organiser and host reflected Dubai’s growing position in the global meetings and exhibitions sector.

Among the year’s most significant events was the Asia Pacific Cities Summit and Mayors’ Forum, held for the first time in the Middle East. The gathering brought together more than 150 mayors and leaders from over 300 cities and attracted more than 1,500 speakers and delegates, generating reported investment opportunities worth $9 billion. Other forums focused on sustainable tourism, clean energy and climate policy, including the Sustainable Destinations Forum and the Clean Energy Business Council Annual Summit.

Expo City also advanced environmental initiatives, unveiling Terra’s IUCN Centre for Species Survival and hosting the inauguration of the Jane Goodall Pollinator Garden during a visit by the late Dr. Jane Goodall.

Cultural and community programming included Ramadan and Eid celebrations, national events marking Eid Al Etihad, and the opening of House of Arts in the former Morocco Pavilion, developed with the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority. Seasonal attractions such as Al Wasl Season, Winter City and family-focused festivals drew large crowds, while sporting events attracted more than 20,000 participants.

The Women’s Pavilion hosted programmes supporting women’s return to work and launched its first FemTech Hackathon, alongside initiatives tied to international awareness days. Educational attractions, including Terra and Alif, continued to host workshops, exhibitions and youth-focused programmes.

Looking ahead, Expo City Dubai plans to host major international events in 2026, including GITEX and the World Health Expo, formerly Arab Health, as the district prepares to welcome its first residents.

Photo credits: Government of Dubai Media Office

Oksana Bozhko

Oksana Bozhko is a Contributor to Dubai Voice.

Dubai International Financial Centre and the International Private Equity Market convened the first IPEM Future Preview in Dubai, bringing senior leaders from sovereign wealth funds, global investment firms, and regional growth and venture platforms into a closed-door forum on the future of private capital. Hosted at DIFC, the gathering marked the first time IPEM has staged such an event in the region and underscored Dubai’s growing role as a hub for global investors seeking long-term capital deployment.

Participants focused on how private markets are evolving after recent volatility, with discussions centered on “transformative capital” - investments that aim to combine financial returns with long-term strategic value. Investors highlighted increasing interest in sectors such as artificial intelligence, data infrastructure, and climate innovation, reflecting confidence in Dubai’s institutional framework, macroeconomic fundamentals, and access to new liquidity pools.

Executives noted that global investors are committing more capital and operational presence to regional financial centers such as DIFC, viewing Dubai as a stable platform for scaling investment into emerging and frontier markets. Insights from the discussions aligned with DIFC’s broader Future of Finance work, which positions the emirate as a jurisdiction where long-duration capital and high-growth opportunity reinforce one another.

The outcomes of the Preview will inform the agenda for the inaugural IPEM Future Dubai, scheduled for May 13–14, 2026, during Dubai Future Finance Week. That event is expected to further consolidate Dubai’s standing as a convening point for global private markets and long-term capital strategy in the MEASA region.

Photo credits: Government of Dubai Media Office

Alexander Agafiev Macambira

Alexander Agafiev Macambira is former tech contributing writer for Forbes Monaco.

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority has awarded a major contract to upgrade the intersection of Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street with Al Awir Road and Al Manama Street, part of the emirate’s broader plan to expand road capacity and improve traffic flow.

The project includes the construction of 2.3 kilometres of bridges, lane expansions, and the development of service roads along Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street and Al Awir Road in both directions. New access points will serve nearby residential and development areas.

Once completed, the project is expected to increase traffic capacity from 5,200 vehicles per hour in both directions to 14,400, a rise of 176 percent, and reduce travel time through the corridor from 20 minutes to five. Completion is scheduled for the third quarter of 2028.

Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the RTA, said the project is part of a master plan to expand roads, bridges and crossings to accommodate population growth and urban development. He said the upgraded corridor will serve residential and development areas with a combined population of more than 600,000 residents and visitors.

At the intersection with Al Awir Road, the existing roundabout will be converted into a grade-separated interchange allowing uninterrupted traffic in all directions. The works include main bridges with four lanes in each direction on Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street, ramps for right- and left-turn movements, and a new bridge at the Al Awir Road–Emirates Road junction to serve traffic towards Al Awir and Sharjah. Parallel service roads will also be developed to improve access to surrounding areas.

At the intersection with Al Manama Street, the project includes widening Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street from two to four lanes in each direction and upgrading the signalised intersection to increase capacity and improve operations.

The project builds on earlier phases of improvement along Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street, including a 25-kilometre extension from Dubai–Al Ain Road to Al Yalayis Street and a series of upgraded intersections serving areas such as Global Village, Dubai Silicon Oasis and Academic City.

Photo credits: Government of Dubai Media Office

Oksana Bozhko

Oksana Bozhko is a Contributor to Dubai Voice.

Salik Company PJSC, Dubai’s toll gate operator, has partnered with the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority to launch a public design competition inviting artists to reimagine the Salik toll tag. The initiative, titled “Erth Dubai Through Your Eyes,” seeks original designs that reflect Dubai’s cultural diversity and contemporary creative scene.

The competition is open to artists, designers, calligraphers, graffiti artists, and members of the youth and creative communities. Participants are asked to submit original, previously unpublished designs that align with local values and traditions.

Entries will be accepted until 19 January 2026. The total prize pool is AED 100,000 (approximately USD 27,000). The first-place winner will receive USD 15,000, followed by USD 7,000 for second place and USD 5,000 for third. Winners will be announced during the 14th Sikka Art & Design Festival, scheduled to take place from 23 January to 1 February 2026 in the Al Shindagha Historic Neighbourhood.

Submissions will be reviewed by a judging panel comprising representatives from the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), Dubai Culture, and Salik. According to the organisers, the initiative is intended to support emerging talent, encourage experimentation, and expand Salik’s library of tag designs while increasing public engagement with the brand.

Salik’s chief executive, Ibrahim Al Haddad, said the collaboration supports youth creativity and responds to an initiative launched by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum under the “Erth Dubai” framework. He added that the competition allows young creatives to contribute to products used daily across the city.

Shaima Rashed Al Suwaidi, CEO of the Arts, Design and Literature Sector at Dubai Culture, said the partnership reflects the authority’s mandate to nurture talent and strengthen Dubai’s cultural and creative industries by encouraging artists to draw on the emirate’s cultural and heritage resources.

Photo credits: Government of Dubai Media Office

Oksana Bozhko

Oksana Bozhko is a Contributor to Dubai Voice.

TECOM Group PJSC has launched Phase 4 of the Innovation Hub in Dubai Internet City, committing AED 615 million to expand capacity for global technology companies seeking Grade-A office space in Dubai.

Alexander Agafiev Macambira

Alexander Agafiev Macambira is former tech contributing writer for Forbes Monaco.

Sun Life, a global provider of high-net-worth insurance solutions, has received authorization from the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) to establish operations in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). The office is scheduled to begin operations in December under the leadership of Senior Executive Officer Sameera Anand.

The DIFC office will allow Sun Life to deepen its engagement with local and regional brokers and provide direct access to the company’s insurance expertise for high-net-worth (HNW) and ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) clients across the Middle East.

“We are pleased to join DIFC, enhancing our ability to support partners and clients in the region,” said Sujoy Ghosh, CEO of Sun Life High Net Worth. “Our global expertise and financial strength position us to help clients protect and grow wealth across generations.”

His Excellency Arif Amiri, Chief Executive Officer of the DIFC Authority, welcomed Sun Life’s arrival, noting that the Centre’s regulatory clarity, tax framework, and infrastructure make it an attractive base for expanding regional operations.

Sun Life operates underwriting centers in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Bermuda, providing global insurance solutions and round-the-clock support for clients worldwide.

Photo credits: Government of Dubai Media Office

Alexander Agafiev Macambira

Alexander Agafiev Macambira is former tech contributing writer for Forbes Monaco.

The Emirates Flight Training Academy marked its sixth graduation ceremony with 77 cadets completing the program, adding to a pipeline that has produced more than 300 trained pilots to date for Emirates and the wider aviation industry.

Of the graduating class, 52 cadets are part of the Emirates Group’s UAE National Pilot Cadet Programme, while 25 represent 15 other countries. Most EFTA graduates are now flying or continuing training with Emirates on the airline’s widebody fleet. The National Pilot Cadet Programme, the UAE’s largest initiative of its kind, is fully sponsored by the Group and provides a defined pathway to Emirates following graduation and type-rating completion.

The ceremony was attended by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline & Group, along with senior leadership, faculty members, graduates, and their families.

Based in Dubai South, the academy integrates academic instruction, flight training technology and leadership development. Its campus includes residential facilities for cadets and a purpose-built training environment spanning the equivalent of 200 football fields. The facility features 36 classrooms, six full-motion simulators, an independent air traffic control tower and a dedicated 1,800-metre runway. Training is supported by a fleet of 32 aircraft, including Cirrus, Diamond, Gamebird and Embraer models.

During the ceremony, five cadets were recognised for outstanding performance, with an additional award presented for diligence.

Launched in 2017 at Dubai World Central, the Emirates Flight Training Academy was established to train UAE nationals and later expanded to include international students, supporting Emirates’ long-term pilot requirements.

Photo credits: Government of Dubai Media Office

Alexander Agafiev Macambira

Alexander Agafiev Macambira is former tech contributing writer for Forbes Monaco.

Dubai Airports is entering the winter travel season with expanded schedules at Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Dubai World Central–Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC), reflecting strong seasonal demand and growing confidence from airline partners.

Direct traffic now accounts for 55 percent of passenger demand at DXB, in line with the annual winter upswing driven by cooler weather, major business and cultural events, and outbound travel by residents. Continued population growth in Dubai is also contributing to sustained point-to-point travel.

European and Central Asian routes are a key source of growth. FlyArystan joined the DXB network on Nov. 29 with twice-weekly flights from Aktau, Kazakhstan. Austrian Airlines resumed services from Vienna on Dec. 2 with five weekly flights. Capacity from Europe has also increased, with Virgin Atlantic deploying the A350-1000 on its Dubai route, lifting seat capacity by 52 percent, and British Airways restoring A380 services from London Heathrow.

Connectivity from South Asia and the Middle East has also expanded. Varesh Airline launched twice-weekly flights from Sari, Iran, on Oct. 30, while Fly Jinnah introduced twice-weekly services from Lahore on Nov. 2, reinforcing links with markets that typically see higher winter travel volumes.

Traffic from Saudi Arabia has recorded particularly strong growth. The country is DXB’s second-largest market, accounting for 7.8 percent of total passengers year to date through October. Combined traffic from Saudi Arabia across DXB and DWC reached 6.3 million passengers, up 1.3 percent year on year, with DWC reporting a 459 percent increase to 173,000 passengers.

DWC’s role within Dubai’s aviation system is becoming more prominent as airlines use its available capacity to complement DXB operations. The airport handled 1.1 million passengers in the first 10 months of the year, a 36.6 percent increase, supported by demand from CIS, GCC and Western European markets. Cargo volumes and aircraft movements also continued to rise.

Eurowings has contributed to this expansion with a new daily DXB service from Stuttgart, a three-times-weekly Düsseldorf service at DWC, and increased frequencies to Berlin, Cologne and Hannover, including Premium Bizclass on the Berlin route.

Dubai Airports said the winter schedule reflects resilient and diversified demand across both airports, balancing inbound tourism, resident travel and population growth as the city maintains its position as a leading global aviation hub.

Photo credits: Government of Dubai Media Office

Oksana Bozhko

Oksana Bozhko is a Contributor to Dubai Voice.