AGP Executive Report

UAE-US Ties: Emirati aerobatic team Al Fursan will join US Independence Day air displays for the first time, flying over New York’s Jones Beach alongside the Blue Angels. Security & Tech: The UAE Cyber Security Council says it thwarted sophisticated cyberattacks on the financial sector, using phishing and malware attempts that were contained under national protocols. Energy Watch: Oil prices are set for a fourth straight weekly slide as Strait of Hormuz shipping recovers and the war risk premium fades. Health: A 10-year-old Emirati girl is recovering after a four-hour surgery for rare aggressive stage-1 thyroid cancer, with doctors saying her prognosis is excellent. Diplomacy & Trade: Chile’s president met UAE trade minister Thani Al Zeyoudi, stressing stronger trade and investment links. Regional Fallout: UAE, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain condemned a deadly café bombing in Damascus. Business Climate: UAE PMI data points to softer non-oil activity in June, with conflict weighing on demand and hiring.

UAE–Libya Diplomacy: President Sheikh Mohamed met Libya’s PM Abdul Hamid Dbeibah in Abu Dhabi, discussing bilateral ties and regional stability. Regional Security: The US and 12 Middle East countries agreed in Bahrain to intensify efforts to keep trade flowing through the Strait of Hormuz, with the UAE among participants. UAE–India Industry: Adnoc’s International Holding Company and India’s Adani Group signed an MoU for a $11.5bn aluminium project in Odisha, aiming to build a major refinery and smelter plus power capacity. UAE Social Impact: The UAE launched the Companies for Good 2031 strategy, asking private firms to deliver ethical CSR projects worth over Dh20bn by 2031. Middle East Tensions: Iran warned oil tankers to use approved Hormuz routes or face a “forceful response,” as negotiations and security concerns continue. Travel & Business: Etihad expanded summer capacity, adding frequencies and extending routes including Abu Dhabi–Dhaka to year-round service.

Retail Finance: UAE’s inaugural retail T-sukuk has been upsized to Dh100m after demand surged to Dh445m, now listed on Nasdaq Dubai with a 4.30% profit rate over two years. Energy & Trade Security: Iran warned oil tankers to use its approved Strait of Hormuz routes or face a “forceful response,” as the US and 12 Arab states pledged to keep commerce flowing through the waterway. Abu Dhabi Industry: EGA says it has made significant progress restarting its Al Taweelah aluminium plant after March drone damage, with restoration work ahead of schedule. Cross-border Investment: IHC and Adani plan an $11.5bn integrated aluminium project in Odisha, targeting major job creation and new production capacity. Local Business & Safety: Sharjah Police launched an interactive anti-drug awareness tour that can cut traffic points for visitors who complete the full programme. Diplomacy: The Amir of Qatar received credentials of UAE and Nigeria ambassadors, signalling continued ties. Tech & AI: G42’s Inception rebranded to Inception42, positioning itself as a sovereign agentic AI deployer for regulated environments. Sports & Events: Abu Dhabi is stepping up preparations to host the 2026 Jiu-Jitsu World Championship in August.

UAE Social Safety: The UAE says protecting children must be central to social media, announcing under-15s will face stricter access rules with age verification linked across platforms and data deleted immediately. AI in Government: Sheikh Mansour chaired an Abu Dhabi ministerial meeting on agentic AI, with plans to push federal services toward heavy AI use and train tens of thousands of workers. Health Breakthrough: Abu Dhabi will host a clinical trial using Emirati Genome Programme data to test an Alzheimer’s prevention therapy for high-risk citizens without symptoms. Transport Milestone: Etihad Rail’s first national passenger service has started, with daily routes between Abu Dhabi and Fujairah and thousands of tickets already sold. Lottery Buzz: The UAE Lottery has named a second Dh30m winner, with social media speculation that the latest jackpot may again involve an Indian resident. UAE-India Consular Update: Indian passport and attestation services in the UAE face legal and administrative hurdles, with consular services shifting to limited in-mission processing. Regional Talks: US and Iran negotiators met separately in Qatar, with Qatar reporting positive progress and talks set to continue after Iran’s leader’s funeral.

UAE Digital Safety: The UAE Child Digital Safety Council briefed media on a new Cabinet Decision that sets how platforms must verify users’ ages and protect children’s data, with 12 months to implement and penalties that can include blocking non-compliant apps. AI in Government: Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed chaired a Ministerial Council meeting reviewing plans to adopt agentic AI across federal operations, alongside updates touching labour-market studies, strategic reserves, residency/visa rules and government HR. Abu Dhabi Business Expansion: Perk (formerly TravelPerk) opened an Abu Dhabi office at ADGM with ADIO, aiming to triple UAE business travel spend by 2028. Finance & Pensions: GPSSA opened registration for an expanded state social insurance system for eligible entrepreneurs and self-employed Emiratis, while Pay10 secured an Electronic Money Institution licence in Hungary to launch EU operations. Travel & Mobility: UAE nationals can travel to Lebanon again after the war-related ban was lifted, with mandatory Twajudi registration. Economy & Trade: UAE non-oil trade with Mercosur hit $6.2b in 2025, as the UAE pushed for deeper partnerships at the Mercosur summit. Energy Watch: Oil prices faced uncertainty amid Opec+ deadlock, while gold in Dubai slipped below $1,800 globally but 24K traded around Dh217.75 in Dubai.

UAE Rail Milestone: Etihad Rail’s first-ever passenger service is now running, with early riders from Fujairah to Abu Dhabi praising the new journey and the fresh view of the country. Energy & Investment: Egypt’s petroleum minister reaffirmed support for UAE firm Dana Gas as it plans to expand exploration and boost natural gas output in the Nile Delta. Crypto & Regulation: Dubai is seeing a surge of European crypto founders seeking UAE licensing ahead of the EU’s MiCA deadline, with lawyers reporting 120+ weekly inquiries. Markets & Costs: Oil prices eased toward pre-war levels, while UAE summer heat remains a concern as El Niño could push temperatures higher. Legal & Accountability: Human rights groups have reportedly filed an ICC report alleging Libyan and Emirati officials’ involvement in Sudan war crimes, including claims about weapon supply routes via UAE airports. Business Moves: Greaves Cotton incorporated a Dubai subsidiary to expand trading and distribution across the Middle East and Africa.

Rail Milestone: Etihad Rail has begun trial operations of the UAE’s first passenger service, running Fujairah to Abu Dhabi in about 1 hour 45 minutes, with Dubai Station and Al Dhaid due to open Sept. 30 and the full network expected to reach 11 cities by March 2027. Finance & DIFC: Arab Bank Switzerland launched ABS (Middle East) Limited in Dubai’s DIFC, expanding wealth management services for entrepreneurs, family offices and high-net-worth clients. UAE–Ukraine Trade: The UAE-Ukraine CEPA officially enters into force on July 1, cutting tariffs for most goods and services and aiming to boost non-oil trade. Fuel Costs: UAE petrol and diesel prices for July 2026 have been announced, with rates cut after months of increases. Travel Update: UAE citizens can travel to Lebanon starting June 29, but must register via the ministry’s official emergency and support platform. Business & Industry: RAK Ceramics signed a multi-year licensing deal with Roberto Cavalli to produce branded tiles and sanitaryware for multiple markets. Humanitarian Logistics: Rhenus launched a dedicated Aid & Relief department in Dubai Humanitarian to speed up crisis deliveries across high-risk regions.

UAE Travel Update: The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs says Emirati citizens can travel to Lebanon starting Monday, June 29, but only after mandatory registration via the Tawajudi service, with travellers barred from departing UAE ports until it’s completed and told to update their details on return. Cyber & Payments: SriLankan Airlines has been cleared over a disputed Dubai payment after an investigation found the cyber attack happened at the recipient’s end, where email account details were altered. Regional Diplomacy: The US and Iran say they will send delegations to Qatar this week for talks, while Iran insists no US meeting has been agreed “at any level,” as hostilities pause but tensions linger. Trade Talks: CPTPP ministers advanced expansion discussions and set up a Customs Working Group, with preparatory steps involving the UAE, Philippines and Indonesia. Health & Science: Abu Dhabi’s M42 has launched the UAE’s first genomics trial to prevent Alzheimer’s, building on the emirate’s push for AI-driven healthcare. Transport Milestone: Etihad Rail opened its first passenger service, starting with a route to Fujairah and later expanding to more stops.

UAE–Qatar Solidarity: The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent condolences to Qatar after a Qatari citizen was killed and an Arab resident injured in a maritime incident linked to regional military operations. Health Breakthrough: Abu Dhabi-based M42 has launched the UAE’s first genomics-driven clinical trial to prevent Alzheimer’s in Emiratis, using data from the Emirati Genome Programme and testing an investigational therapy for people carrying the APOE4 risk variant. Aviation Update: Philippine Airlines resumes nonstop Manila–Dubai flights from Oct. 2, restoring direct connectivity for overseas Filipinos. Energy & Trade Pressure: Europe braces for a hard winter as EU gas storage is forecast to hit a 15-year low, with supply constraints tied to Strait of Hormuz disruptions. Business & Finance: Adyen secured a Central Bank of the UAE licence to expand local payment settlement capabilities. Lifestyle & Markets: UAE gold prices eased again, dropping Dh4.75 per gram on Monday. Regional Tensions: Flights between the UAE and Iran have restarted after a suspension, as US–Iran talks pause strikes but remain uncertain.

Gulf Security: Iran launched fresh drone and missile attacks on Bahrain and Kuwait after new U.S. strikes, threatening to halt war talks and raising fresh fears for Strait of Hormuz shipping. UAE Humanitarian Aid: The UAE announced $10 million urgent relief for victims of Venezuela’s earthquakes, via the UAE Aid Agency. Weather Watch: Abu Dhabi hit around 40°C, with Dubai 41°C and Sharjah 42°C, plus rising humidity overnight—conditions set for a calmer beach day. Health & Safety: A Sharjah doctor warned that magnetic toys can cause severe internal injuries; one child needed emergency surgery after swallowing 52 magnets. Healthcare Breakthrough: Abu Dhabi launched a personalized breast cancer treatment using circulating tumour DNA monitoring to spot resistance earlier. Business & Travel: Etihad Rail’s first passenger service is set to change commuting, while UAE visa-on-arrival updates expand entry for more nationalities. Regional Solidarity: The UAE also sent condolences to Saudi Arabia after an Aramco helicopter crash killed 14.

Gulf Security: The UAE strongly condemned renewed Iranian missile and drone attacks on Bahrain and Kuwait, calling them a flagrant violation of sovereignty and a threat to regional stability, as Iran’s Revolutionary Guard warned it could halt US war talks amid escalating strikes around the Strait of Hormuz. Humanitarian Aid: Five UAE aid convoys entered Gaza under Operation Chivalrous Knight 3, delivering 817 tonnes of food and shelter via 68 lorries prepared through the UAE Humanitarian Aid Logistics Centre in Al Arish. UAE-US Economic Ties: A UAE delegation led by Minister of State Saeed Al Hajeri met US Commerce and Treasury officials in Washington, highlighting $40bn+ bilateral trade in 2025 and the UAE’s long-term investment commitment tied to AI, advanced manufacturing and energy. Trade & Diplomacy: UAE Trade Days talks in Panama focused on boosting bilateral trade, investment and supply-chain resilience, with meetings across foreign affairs and business leaders. Travel & Entry: The UAE expanded visa-on-arrival to six more nationalities, offering eligible travellers 14- or 60-day stays with specified fees and overstay fines. Weather: NCM issued a rain alert for parts of eastern UAE, warning of strong winds and possible heavy downpours.

Gulf Security on Edge: The US says it struck 10 Iranian targets near the Strait of Hormuz after an attack on a merchant vessel, as President Donald Trump warned Iran could “no longer exist” if ceasefire violations continue. Regional Condemnations: UAE, Qatar and GCC states condemned alleged Iranian drone attacks on Bahrain, calling them a threat to sovereignty and stability. UAE Weather: Forecasts point to heat with fog and a chance of rain in coming days, with humid conditions returning overnight. Humanitarian Response: The UAE reiterated solidarity with Venezuela after a 5.6 earthquake, including urgent relief support. Local Business & Lifestyle: L’Oréal Middle East launched LOREALISTAR, a GCC creator loyalty platform, while a UAE-linked investigation alleged a sanctioned Kinahan cartel figure was seen in Dubai padel tournaments under an alias.

Middle East Security: The GCC, the UAE and Kuwait condemned Iran’s drone attacks on Bahrain as a violation of sovereignty, with the UAE calling it a threat to regional security and stability. Strait of Hormuz Tensions: Iran’s strikes also hit a ship in the Strait of Hormuz after US airstrikes, while Egypt, Bahrain and the UAE urged safeguarding navigation through the waterway. UAE-Lebanon Diplomacy: President Sheikh Mohamed spoke by phone with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, reviewing bilateral ties and regional developments, as UAE officials also backed Lebanon’s unity amid the US-facilitated Lebanon-Israel framework. Humanitarian Aid: The UAE announced Dh10 million in urgent relief for Venezuela earthquake victims and aid efforts for people affected by Lebanon’s ongoing crisis. Travel & Entry Rules: The UAE expanded visa-on-arrival for eligible travellers from India and the Philippines, and UAE-India fares show signs of easing ahead of the July rush. Business/Trade: APEDA said GI-tagged Rewa Sundarja mangoes have reached the UAE in the first commercial export.

UAE Mediation: The UAE helped Russia and Ukraine swap 320 prisoners (160 each), bringing UAE-mediated releases to 7,791 across 25 rounds. Humanitarian Aid: Under President Mohamed bin Zayed’s directives, the UAE Aid Agency has allocated $10m for Venezuela earthquake relief. Strait of Hormuz Tensions: The US carried out strikes on Iran after a drone attack on a cargo ship, with Trump calling it a ceasefire violation—raising fresh uncertainty for Gulf shipping. Local Safety Alert: UAE authorities told residents to disregard a missile alert after a technical glitch triggered panic. Travel & Cost of Living: UAE-India flight fares remain elevated for summer despite occasional drops tied to cancellations. Heat Watch: Experts warn that UAE summer can stress fridges—signs include hotter exterior panels, louder compressors, and food not staying cold. Crime & Justice: A British TikTok influencer facing execution in Dubai after an alleged stabbing case remains in the spotlight. Business & Policy: UAE Finance announced a pilot phase for electronic invoicing for businesses.

UAE-Iran tensions: A missile alert briefly rattled Dubai, but authorities quickly told residents to “disregard the previous warning,” citing a likely technical malfunction after the first message urged people to seek shelter. Strait of Hormuz pressure: UN shipping plans to evacuate vessels through the Strait of Hormuz were paused after a reported strike near Oman, as Marco Rubio said the route should remain “free, unconditional, and unrestricted” without tolls or control. Finance & compliance: The UAE Ministry of Finance launched the electronic invoicing pilot phase, outlining deadlines for businesses to appoint accredited service providers ahead of mandatory rollout. Health innovation: Abu Dhabi Biobank and BioTwin announced a partnership to expand Human Virtual Twin technology for early detection and precision health, starting with multi-cancer screening. Energy security: Adnoc began bids for a new East Coast LNG facility in Fujairah to boost exports and reduce reliance on Hormuz routes. Crime & justice: Sri Lanka’s minister said 19 organised crime suspects linked to Interpol Red Notices are believed to be in the UAE.

Visa & Travel: The UAE Embassy in Nairobi says Kenyan ordinary passport holders can get visas on arrival from June 25, 2026, including accompanying family members with valid US/EU/UK/Australia/Japan/Singapore/South Korea/Canada/New Zealand residence permits. Strait of Hormuz Security: The UN’s maritime agency paused its evacuation of ships through the Strait of Hormuz after a cargo vessel was hit by a projectile off Oman, with no injuries or spill reported, as Iran-linked threats and route disputes continue. US-Iran-Gulf Diplomacy: US officials say direct talks are set between the US and Iran’s IRGC in Doha to reduce tensions, while Marco Rubio tells Gulf allies Washington won’t accept tolls or fees on Hormuz transit. Abu Dhabi Transport: Etihad Rail passenger bookings are live, with services between Abu Dhabi and Fujairah starting June 30 and fares from AED 55. Local Economy & Compliance: Abu Dhabi’s Economic Integration Committee reviewed market price monitoring and ways to expand national firms into intellectual property activities.