AGP Executive Report

UAE-Israel Diplomacy: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu filed defamation suits in Israel over reports that he received alleged warnings about the Oct. 7 Hamas attack but did not pass them to security chiefs, with the claims tied to alleged UAE and Egyptian contacts. Digital Rights & Justice: The UAE launched the SAFE-T initiative at the UN Crime Congress in Abu Dhabi to curb digital violence against women, pairing legislation, digital literacy and international cooperation under Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak’s patronage. Regional Security: Iraq faces a political test this week as US troop withdrawal deadlines approach and Baghdad moves to bring militia weapons under state control. Consular Services: India’s embassy in Abu Dhabi re-tendered passport, visa and consular outsourcing, aiming to restore faster processing for the 4.3m-strong Indian community. UAE-Saudi Ties: Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed met Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh, reviewing bilateral cooperation amid regional developments. Transport & Investment: Abu Dhabi’s DMT launched a Government Assets Investment Opportunities portal at LIVEX to streamline private investment in government land and assets. Finance & Regulation: ADGM’s revamped fund manager regime finalised new licensing categories for smaller and institutional-focused managers. Sports Governance: The Premier League confirmed Manchester City guilty of serious financial rule breaches tied to “sham” deals, with sanctions still pending.

UAE-Israel Diplomacy: Abu Dhabi officially confirmed President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed met Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu in Abu Dhabi, with both sides discussing bilateral ties and regional challenges after a reported “secret” visit. Regional Security & Iran: The Netanyahu trip is tied to claims he asked the UAE to deny a reported warning about an Oct 7, 2023 Hamas operation, as oil markets react to Hormuz supply worries and US-Iran talks remain strained. UN Crime Agenda: The Abu Dhabi Declaration from the 15th UN Congress sets a five-year roadmap to fight financial crime, including money laundering, terrorist financing and AI/cyber-enabled fraud. AI Governance: Abu Dhabi’s push for an “AI-native” government aims to simplify services and act before residents even request help, ahead of Ai Everything Abu Dhabi. Capital Markets: ADX launched an expanded Investor Relations Guide with baseline requirements and potential fines for weak compliance. UAE-India Economic Push: Piyush Goyal says the UAE plans another $25bn investment in India, targeting $200bn trade by 2032 and deeper cooperation in ports, energy and tech. Infrastructure: Etihad Rail opened Dubai Station as passenger services prepare to expand across the UAE.

UAE-UN Crime Congress: Abu Dhabi hosted the 15th UN Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, with Qatar, INTERPOL and others backing cross-border action against transnational crime, while the UAE pushed “build rather than destroy” diplomacy at UNGA. AI in Justice: The UAE justice sector highlighted AI use with human decision-making kept central, as Abu Dhabi Judicial Department rolled out an AI platform and Maldives offered a free AI prosecution framework for global adoption. Israel-UAE secret visit row: Israeli media reports say Benjamin Netanyahu made an unannounced UAE trip to meet President Mohamed bin Zayed, amid a dispute over whether the UAE warned Israel about the Oct 7, 2023 Hamas attack; Israel’s Shin Bet filed a complaint over alleged censorship breaches. Regional sanctions & aviation: Iraq resumed flights between Najaf and Iranian airports after a US sanctions waiver for one month, while the UAE and others had suspended Iran-linked aviation amid US measures. Domestic governance: The UAE cut domestic heliport registration processing from up to 135 days to two, and announced plans to cooperate with neighbours on cross-border fraud and money laundering. Transport milestone: Etihad Rail’s Dubai station launch took place with President Sheikh Mohamed travelling by train from Abu Dhabi.

UAE Diplomacy & Security: Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu made an unannounced trip to Abu Dhabi and met UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, with Iran reportedly central to talks; the visit also revives the October 7, 2023 warning controversy, as Israeli media allege MBZ warned Netanyahu ahead of the Hamas attack while Netanyahu denies it. UN Crime Agenda in Abu Dhabi: The 15th UN Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice continues to shape regional cooperation, with UAE-linked legal and justice engagement including MoUs on legal cooperation and broader focus on transnational organised crime, cyber-enabled networks, and cross-border enforcement. E-Invoicing Push: The UAE Ministry of Finance held an eInvoicing awareness session in Ras Al Khaimah as businesses prepare for mandatory adoption, with the pilot phase and Accredited Service Provider requirements in focus. Urban Development Showcase: Abu Dhabi is set to host LIVEX 2026 (Sep 29–Oct 1) to spotlight liveability and investment, linking infrastructure and public services to quality of life. Regional Ties: Cambodia and the UAE signed an MoU on political consultations in New York, expanding bilateral coordination.

UN Crime Congress in Abu Dhabi: The 15th UN Conference on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice opened in the capital and, on Day Two, focused on cyber-enabled fraud, money laundering, terrorist financing, corruption and the responsible use of digital tools and AI. UNGA Diplomacy: UAE officials kept up high-level UN General Assembly meetings in New York, including health talks with WHO leadership and trade discussions aimed at strengthening US-UAE economic ties. Youth Dialogue: Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed hosted a Youth Dialogue for 52 delegates from 10 countries, centering conflict, climate, AI, education and jobs. Food/Water Resilience: MOCCAE convened a ministerial majlis on moving from shock response to resilience for food security and critical supply chains amid regional disruptions. Dubai Longevity Authority: Sheikh Hamdan approved the Dubai Longevity Authority’s strategy and operating budget, positioning Dubai as a hub for longevity, wellness and advanced health regulation. Jobseeker Visa Update: The UAE clarified eligibility and documents for a job exploration (jobseeker) visit visa, including two categories and stay validity options. Regional Security Context: Coverage around UNGA diplomacy highlights Gulf and Türkiye efforts to shape the Middle East agenda amid US-Iran tensions, Houthi attacks and Gaza. Ethiopia Trade Pressure: A report says Ethiopia still routes most seaborne cargo through Djibouti, underscoring how hard it is to diversify away from the Djibouti corridor.

UN Crime Congress in Abu Dhabi: The UAE opened the 15th UN Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice at ADNEC, adopting the Abu Dhabi Declaration and launching Pledge4Justice with an initial pledge of up to USD 5 million, with priorities spanning prevention, rule of law, emerging criminal threats, and innovation. Public Prosecution & youth input: The UAE Public Prosecution backed the congress agenda, while a Young Voices for Justice forum delivered youth recommendations to the Ministry of Justice as the event runs through Oct 1. Health diplomacy: Future Health convened global health leaders in New York on UNGA sidelines, pushing a shift from reactive care to prevention, early intervention, and stronger execution capacity. Ebola travel update: The UAE lifted Ebola-related entry restrictions on Ugandan nationals after Uganda completed its monitoring period, while keeping measures for DRC and South Sudan. UAE-Iran pressure: The UAE suspended Iranian airline flights and halted transactions involving Bank Melli branches as part of wider sanctions enforcement. Abu Dhabi roads: Fog-related speed limits were eased back to normal, with police urging drivers to stay cautious where visibility remains low.

UN Crime Congress in Abu Dhabi: The 15th UN Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice wrapped its first day at ADNEC, adopting the Abu Dhabi Declaration as a five-year roadmap for tackling crime and strengthening rule of law. Diplomacy at UNGA 81: UAE FM Abdullah bin Zayed hosted an official UNGA reception in New York, reiterating support for multilateral action on development and peace, while UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed met Uzbekistan’s presidential administration head to discuss deepening bilateral cooperation. Regional security & health cooperation: Bahrain’s health minister met UAE counterparts on pandemic preparedness and healthcare tech, as Bahrain and Malaysia also discussed counterterrorism, intelligence sharing and border security. Ebola response: The UAE allocated $10m to support international efforts to contain Ebola in Africa, alongside aid shipments to health facilities. Aviation tensions: Iran denied plans for military retaliation over aviation restrictions, saying talks are underway to lift “unlawful” measures. Sports politics spillover: Manchester City’s chairman defended the club amid Premier League financial-breach fallout, as the case continues.

UAE Foreign Policy & Diplomacy: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed attended the inaugural UAE Investment Majlis at UNGA81 in New York, focused on resilient supply chains and smart logistics, and held separate meetings with the President of the Union of the Comoros and Bangladesh’s Prime Minister to advance trade and development cooperation. Regional Security & Sanctions: The US tightened Iran-related aviation restrictions, with UAE flight disruptions and Iraq enforcing a ban on Iranian airlines while seeking a US exemption for humanitarian travel. UNGA Diplomacy: India and the GCC reviewed their Joint Action Plan on UNGA margins, with West Asia and shipping challenges on the agenda, while UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher warned that preventing World War III must be a top priority. Defense Cooperation: EDGE and TKMS signed an MoU in Germany to explore underwater surveillance and protection capabilities, boosting maritime security ties. Industry & Investment: Robo.ai and Abu Dhabi-based ALIF Holding broke ground on Phase I of an industrial park in Umm Al Quwain, aiming to refurbish existing facilities and build local manufacturing capacity. Public Safety: Sharjah Police urged drivers to obey traffic signals after highlighting red-light violations and their serious penalties.

UAE-Israel Diplomacy: The New York Times reports the UAE president warned Benjamin Netanyahu in late September 2023 that Hamas was considering a major attack, but Netanyahu allegedly did not pass it to Israel’s security chiefs before Oct. 7—an allegation Netanyahu denies. UN Crime Congress: Abu Dhabi is set to host the 15th UN Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, with the “Abu Dhabi Declaration” expected to set a five-year agenda on prevention, justice, evolving threats, and innovation. Water Security at UNGA: GCC and UAE officials used UNGA to push water as a strategic priority, citing a funding gap and calling for scalable projects ahead of the 2026 UN Water Conference in Abu Dhabi. Regional Stability—Ethiopia: UAE condemned TPLF attacks and urged de-escalation, backing Ethiopia’s sovereignty and the Pretoria Peace Agreement. Inclusive Transport (RAK): RAKTA doubled accessible taxis with wheelchair lifts and safety restraints, expanding mobility for People of Determination and seniors. Aviation Sanctions Ripple: Iraqi airports suspended flights to Iran after new US aviation sanctions, affecting travel routes tied to the region. Tech & Defence: EDGE and TKMS signed an MoU to explore underwater surveillance and protection cooperation.

UAE-Iran Aviation Curbs: The UAE General Civil Aviation Authority suspended flights by Iranian airlines to and from the country until further notice, citing new US sanctions and “secondary sanctions” risks for aviation services. Energy & Security Spillover: Oil jumped about 4% as Houthis fired missiles at Saudi Arabia and US-Iran talks showed little progress, keeping regional risk front and centre for Gulf energy flows. Abu Dhabi Business Push: Abu Dhabi Chamber and CCI France UAE signed a cooperation agreement to deepen economic, investment and trade ties, building on the UAE-France Business Forum. Entrepreneur Cost Relief: Abu Dhabi extended its Tajer office-free period for entrepreneurs by a year, aiming to cut upfront costs and boost non-oil business growth. Humanitarian Aid: The UAE launched a winter clothing drive for one million people in Gaza, adding to recent shipments of food, shelter and water support. Al Ain Licensing Surge: Al Ain reported a 35% jump in new business licences, with growth tied to construction and future-economy sectors. AI Governance Spotlight: Abu Dhabi ranked top in MENA and 11th globally in an AI Cities Index, highlighting strong public investment and an advanced operating environment.

UAE–UNGA Diplomacy: Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed met Ecuador President Noboa in New York, exchanging greetings and discussing deeper cooperation under their comprehensive economic partnership, including trade, investment and development. AI for Good: The Emirates Foundation (Abu Dhabi) signed a partnership with the Responsible AI Future Foundation on UNGA sidelines, aiming to build responsible, sovereign-ready AI capabilities and roll practical “AI for good” use cases into communities. Public Safety: UAE motorcycle crashes jumped from 605 cases in 2022 to 1,224 in 2025, with speeding, unsafe overtaking and rider distraction flagged as key drivers. Regional Security: The UAE warned Iran cannot be trusted on unilateral Hormuz arrangements as the strait remains largely closed and economic pressure mounts; separate reports also note Iran-linked flight cancellations and wider travel disruption. Business & Investment: R/GA formally opened an Abu Dhabi presence to serve MENA clients and expand AI-enabled brand and commerce work. Road to Growth: Al Ain Future Business Forum opened with thousands of policymakers and investors focused on attracting capital and accelerating economic diversification. Shipping Risk: Indian seafarers’ union urged PM Modi to deploy naval escorts after an attack near Oman killed an Indian sailor.

Royal Condolences: Dubai’s ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid received fresh condolences at Zabeel Majlis for the late Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, with Bahrain’s King Hamad’s delegation among the visitors, as regional leaders also sent messages including Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev. Education & Youth: Sheikh Saif bin Zayed visited Abu Dhabi’s Education Interface 2026, reviewing student projects and programmes ahead of the UAE’s Year of Family focus. UAE Governance & Compliance: The Central Bank of the UAE ordered Bank Melli Iran branches to stop transactions to and from Iran, citing anti-money laundering and sanctions compliance. Visa Rules: The UAE published document requirements for residency visas without employment, including extra paperwork for applicants from Afghanistan, Iran and Iraq. Regional Diplomacy: UAE officials welcomed U.S. efforts to achieve peace in Sudan, calling for a humanitarian truce and wider political dialogue. Gaza Recovery: Trump’s Board of Peace is set to unveil a $2.45bn, six-month Gaza recovery plan.

UAE Diplomacy at UNGA: Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed held separate meetings in New York with France, Bulgaria, Malta, Latvia, Lithuania, Vietnam and others, focusing on AI, renewable energy, climate, trade and investment. Regional Security & Gaza: Arab and Islamic ministers meeting in New York urged Israel to meet Gaza peace-plan commitments, while Palestinian officials accused Israel of “mass detention” in the West Bank amid rising checkpoints and tree uprooting. UAE Governance & Compliance: MoHRE says it detected 377 “fake Emiratisation” cases across 266 private firms in H1 2026, warning against registering Emiratis without real work. AI Oversight: UN chief Guterres welcomed a “Call for Control of Frontier AI Models,” backing global standards and verification as AI risks grow. Abu Dhabi Business & Tech: R/GA formally opened in Abu Dhabi to serve MENA AI infrastructure demand. Sports/Events: F1 delayed decisions on whether to race in Qatar and Abu Dhabi amid US-Iran tensions and “money fears.”

UAE Diplomacy at UNGA: Minister of State Lana Nusseibeh tells The National the UAE is bringing “optimism and resilience” to the UN General Assembly, stressing diplomacy and multilateralism as regional wars spill over. Emiratisation Enforcement: The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation says it found 377 “fake Emiratisation” cases across 266 private firms in H1 2026, with legal action and fines of Dh20,000–Dh100,000 per case. Cyber Security Alert: UAE officials urge organisations to stay vigilant as cyberattacks remain elevated amid the US-Iran conflict, citing very high daily attack volumes and warning that compliance alone doesn’t equal security. Dubai Mourning: Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed performed funeral prayers for his brother Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum; Dubai declared 10 days of mourning as condolences pour in. Connectivity Push: du and Nokia say they’ve deployed the world’s first six-carrier aggregation on a live 5G-Advanced network, boosting capacity by combining six 5G carriers. Regional Security Shockwaves: Saudi Arabia’s struggle to crush Yemen’s Houthis continues, with analysts pointing to terrain, proxy limits and sustained Iranian support. Energy Politics: Trump backs a potential ban on diesel exports amid record fuel prices, with the UAE named among major producers affected by export disruptions.

UN Diplomacy: UAE Deputy PM and FM Abdullah bin Zayed met multiple foreign ministers on UNGA81 sidelines in New York, focusing on trade, investment, tech and AI, plus food security and climate action. AI Governance: The UAE backed a UN-linked push for “frontier AI” controls, with Guterres welcoming a Finland-and-Norway-led call for human direction, oversight and possible global standards/verification. Regional Security: As the US tightens pressure on Iran and warns Iranian airlines could be shut from Sept 23, UAE diplomatic adviser Anwar Gargash urged a “new mindset” for Arab-Iran dialogue on regional security. Dubai Mourning: Dubai declared 10 days of official mourning after the death of Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, with funeral prayer set for Tuesday. Finance & Business: ADQ will settle its AD Ports cash offer on Sept 25, lifting ownership to 98.93%. Payments & Tech: PhonePe cleared a key hurdle for UAE payments expansion, aiming to plug into local payment rails after final regulatory approval. Mega-Project: Eagle Hills’ $20bn Maldives waterfront and marina deal is framed as a response to the Maldives’ USD crunch via escrow-linked lease-right revenues.

Dubai Mourning & Leadership: Dubai has declared 10 days of official mourning after the death of Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, with flags lowered and funeral prayer set for Tuesday at Zabeel Grand Mosque; regional leaders including Pakistan’s PM Shehbaz Sharif and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman sent condolences. UN Crime Roadmap: Abu Dhabi will host the 15th UN Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, culminating in a UAE-led “Abu Dhabi Declaration” on international co-operation against cyber, financial, environmental and organised crime. Food Security & Trade Routes: UAE officials used UN forums to warn that disruptions to supply chains, energy flows and fertiliser trade threaten global food security, with calls for de-escalation and protection of freedom of navigation. Cyber & AI Talent: Meta launched “Wearables Studio UAE” with the UAE Cyber Security Council to train innovators in secure AI-powered wearables, while Cyble signed a threat-intelligence MoU with the Council to strengthen proactive cyber defence. Regional Security: UK maritime authorities reported a Hormuz tanker hit by debris from unknown projectiles, underscoring ongoing risks in key Gulf shipping lanes. Investment & Development: Eagle Hills and the Maldives government signed commercial terms for a $20bn waterfront and marina project near Malé, one of the country’s biggest foreign investment plans.