United Arab Emirates - AL-Monitor: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012

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United Arab Emirates

December 16, 2025

Abu Dhabi 12:30 am

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Buildroid AI

Interview

Robots can solve UAE construction labor shortage, says Buildroid AI

The US startup announced that it will launch the UAE’s first block-laying robot to speed up real estate and infrastructure projects in the Gulf country.

A woman sells koshary after the Eid prayer in Abu Sir village on April 21, 2023, in Giza, Egypt.

Culture

Egypt’s koshary, Gulf’s bisht gain UNESCO recognition

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization has added more than 10 cultural practices from across the Middle East and North Africa region this year.

In this pool photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's President Vladimir Putin and Emirati President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan walk at the Kremlin following their talks in Moscow on August 7, 2025. (Photo by Gavriil Grigorov / POOL / AFP) (Photo by GAVRIIL GRIGOROV/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

UAE, Russia host first joint business forum despite Ukraine war sanctions

Trade between the two countries is projected to exceed $10 billion in 2025.

United Arab Emirates

Latest News

Mideast funds back Paramount's $108B Warner Bros. takeover bid

Multiple exposure photograph of the Netflix and Warner Bros logos in front of a television screen at Kerlouan in Brittany in France, on Dec. 5 2025.

Qatar, UAE step up LNG plans as global demand surges

KARIM JAAFAR/AFP via Getty Images

United Arab Emirates

Analysis

Iran’s new military drills near disputed islands ratchet up tensions with UAE

People walk and drive past a billboard covering the facade of a building on Vali-Asr square, depicting as postage stamps the disputed Abu Musa and Greater and Lesser Tunb islands that were seized by Iran in 1971, in Tehran on October 26, 2024. Residents of Tehran awoke and went about their business as planned on October 26 after their sleep was troubled by Israeli strikes that triggered blasts that echoed across the city. (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP) (Photo by ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images)

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

China, UAE to hold third air force drills as defense ties warm: What we know

The Red Flag limousine carrying Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed passes a military honour guard as he arrives for a welcoming ceremony outside the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on July 22, 2019. (Photo by GREG BAKER / AFP) (Photo credit should read GREG BAKER/AFP via Getty Images)

United Arab Emirates

Samuel Wendel

Senior Market Research Analyst

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Adam Lucente

News and Business Correspondent

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

Jack Dutton

Chief Business Correspondent

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

Sabena Siddiqui

In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran

Sebastian Castelier

In Dubai, reporting on regional business

Jennifer Gnana

Gulf Correspondent

In Dubai, reporting on Gulf energy policy and politics

This picture taken from the Mount of Olives shows a view of Al-Aqsa Mosque compound and its Dome of the Rock, Old City, Jerusalem, Jan. 2, 2023.

UAE, Saudi, others condemn Israeli minister’s visit to Jerusalem holy site

Ben-Gvir’s visit to the Temple Mount/Haram al-Sharif could hurt the new far-right Israeli government's relations with Arab states and Turkey.

Cedric Ribeiro/Getty Images for Sotheby's Dubai

Abu Dhabi bank launches tokenized payment system using wearables

There have been numerous fintech developments in the United Arab Emirates this year.

Sunset shot showing a row of electricity pylons in the desert, Dubai, United Arab Emirates (Getty Images)

Analysis

2022 in review: Saudi-China, Qatar-Germany deals cap Middle East's energy developments

Hydrogen power, oil price fluctuations and electric vehicles could feature prominently in the region in 2023.

Adam Lucente

By Adam Lucente

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi bank launches new sustainability program

Several Middle Eastern banks and funds are pursuing finance focused on green technology and the environment.

Africa solar

Dubai’s AMEA Power wins solar contract in South Africa

Both the UAE and Saudi Arabia are seeking better ties with sub-Saharan African states, including in regards to energy.

Two firms from the United Arab Emirates have signed a $6 billion deal with Sudan to construct a new port on the Red Sea coast.

UAE's Ports Group expands footprint in Sudan

The agreement allows the Abu Dhabi-based logistics giant to operate ports in Sudan and will contribute to the UAE’s growing influence on the African continent.

GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP via Getty Images

UAE to open facility that converts waste to green hydrogen

The Gulf state already has one waste-to-energy plant and is looking to build more.

Brittney Griner

Inside UAE, Saudi roles in facilitating release of Brittney Griner

A high-level Gulf source with access to the details of the exchange told Al-Monitor that the exchange happened at a UAE airbase at 5:00 pm Abu Dhabi time (8:00 am ET).

Abu Dhabi

UAE business center releases whistleblowing guidelines

The UAE is seeking to improve financial transparency among other major financial changes happening in the Gulf state.

Mideast solar

Dubai’s AMEA Power advances wind, solar projects in Egypt

The project is one of many that Emirati entities have announced this year. Egypt could benefit from more renewable energy, but already has some solar and wind plants in the country.

Completed customer orders are seen in their boxes, awaiting delivery, at the Amazon Fulfillment Center.

Amazon to open online grocery store in UAE

The US retail giant has also been in the news regarding Saudi Arabia and Egypt recently.

United Arab Emirates

An Etihad Airways Boeing 787-9 "Dreamliner" aircraft lands at Israel's Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv, on Oct. 20, 2020.

Etihad launches initiative on sustainable aviation fuel to decarbonize flights

Sustainable aviation fuel, which is sourced from biological materials, has great carbon reduction potential. However, airlines' reluctance to spend more on fuel is hampering its development, according to some observers.