The UAE will continue pressing ahead with government projects, economic activity and major events despite the difficult regional environment, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said as he urged government teams to maintain momentum.
Speaking after chairing the UAE Cabinet meeting at Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohammed, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, delivered a clear message: the country will not wait for ideal circumstances before continuing its work.
“The UAE does not stop, and it will not stop,” he said, stressing that government teams must continue delivering even when conditions are challenging.
He said projects were progressing, the economy was expanding, markets were functioning and events continued to welcome visitors from around the world.
UAE focuses on continuity amid regional tensions
The comments come against the backdrop of ongoing regional conflict and security challenges.
According to the information presented by UAE officials, the country has detected or engaged hundreds of Iranian ballistic and cruise missiles since the conflict began on February 28, along with thousands of drones.
UAE diplomat and presidential adviser Dr Anwar Gargash has described the country’s response to the attacks as efficient, while also highlighting the importance of international relationships built over decades.
Sheikh Mohammed said the UAE’s strength during difficult periods rests on systems, infrastructure, policies and international partnerships developed over many years.
He also emphasised that trust remains an important foundation for the country’s continued progress.
Non-oil economy remains a key growth driver
The UAE’s economic performance in 2026 has provided another indication of its resilience.
During the first quarter of the year, real gross domestic product grew by 3 per cent to Dh485 billion, according to the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre.
The non-oil economy continued to account for the overwhelming majority of economic activity, contributing 79.4 per cent of total GDP during the quarter.
Non-oil GDP itself expanded by 4.8 per cent compared with the same period a year earlier, reinforcing the government’s long-term strategy of reducing dependence on oil revenues.
The figures underline the growing role of sectors such as trade, tourism, services, manufacturing and other non-oil activities in supporting the UAE economy.
Record non-oil exports add to momentum
The country’s trade performance has also remained strong.
Sheikh Mohammed previously announced that UAE non-oil exports reached Dh452.8 billion during the first half of 2026, representing a 23.4 per cent increase from the same period last year.
The performance highlights the country’s efforts to strengthen its position as a global trading and logistics hub while continuing to expand economic links with international markets.
For businesses operating in the UAE, continued investment in infrastructure and government services is intended to provide stability even as geopolitical uncertainty affects the wider region.
Sheikh Mohammed stresses government responsibility
The message from Sheikh Mohammed was not simply about economic figures. It was also a call for government teams to maintain their focus on delivery.
Rather than delaying initiatives until circumstances become more favourable, the UAE leadership has emphasised continuing with planned programmes and services while adapting to changing conditions.
That approach reflects the country’s broader strategy of maintaining economic activity and investor confidence during periods of uncertainty.
The emphasis on continuity is particularly significant as the UAE continues to position itself as a destination for international businesses, investors, tourists and major global events.
Trust remains central to UAE’s strategy
Sheikh Mohammed also pointed to the importance of the confidence the UAE has built over decades.
That confidence, he said, has been supported by strong institutions, infrastructure, government policies and international relationships.
Dr Gargash similarly highlighted the role of partnerships during the current crisis, noting that some countries offered practical support while others did not respond as expected.
For the UAE, maintaining those relationships remains an important part of protecting the country’s interests and ensuring continuity.
A message of resilience
The UAE’s latest economic figures, combined with the government’s determination to maintain projects and market activity, point to a strategy built around resilience rather than retreat.
While regional tensions continue to create uncertainty, the leadership’s message is that government operations and economic development should continue wherever possible.
For residents, businesses and investors, that means the UAE is seeking to preserve normal economic activity while responding to the security challenges around it.
Sheikh Mohammed’s message ultimately centred on one principle: difficult circumstances are not a reason to stop delivering.
As the UAE moves through the remainder of 2026, maintaining economic growth, supporting non-oil sectors and protecting the confidence built over decades will remain central to that approach.
Dubai Herald will continue to follow developments affecting the UAE economy, government policy and regional business environment.
