February 23, 2026
Methodology About Newsletter
WE THE UAE 2031
The Vanderbilt Terminal for the UAE's National Transformation
INDEPENDENT GLOBAL INTELLIGENCE FOR THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
UAE GDP: AED 2.03T ▲ 5.7% | Non-Oil GDP Share: 84.3% ▼ -5.2pp | FDI Inflows: $45.6B ▲ 48.7% | GDP Growth: 4.0% ▲ -0.3pp vs 2023 | Inflation: 1.7% ▼ +0.0pp vs 2023 | Female Participation: 55.1% ▲ +0.6pp vs 2023 | Population: 11.0M ▲ 4.8% | Emiratisation Rate: 12.5% ▲ 2.1pp | Global Competitiveness: #7 ▲ 3 places | Clean Energy Capacity: 7.2 GW ▲ 18.4% | ADX Index: 9,842 ▲ 4.7% | DFM Index: 4,621 ▲ 6.2% | UAE GDP: AED 2.03T ▲ 5.7% | Non-Oil GDP Share: 84.3% ▼ -5.2pp | FDI Inflows: $45.6B ▲ 48.7% | GDP Growth: 4.0% ▲ -0.3pp vs 2023 | Inflation: 1.7% ▼ +0.0pp vs 2023 | Female Participation: 55.1% ▲ +0.6pp vs 2023 | Population: 11.0M ▲ 4.8% | Emiratisation Rate: 12.5% ▲ 2.1pp | Global Competitiveness: #7 ▲ 3 places | Clean Energy Capacity: 7.2 GW ▲ 18.4% | ADX Index: 9,842 ▲ 4.7% | DFM Index: 4,621 ▲ 6.2% |

Definition

COP28 refers to the 28th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the annual global summit where nations negotiate climate action commitments. COP conferences are the primary multilateral forum for addressing greenhouse gas emissions, climate adaptation, climate finance, and loss and damage. Each COP is hosted by a different country and presidency, with outcomes taking the form of consensus-based decisions that shape global climate policy.

UAE Context

COP28 was held at Expo City Dubai from 30 November to 13 December 2023, with Dr. Sultan Al Jaber — CEO of ADNOC and UAE Special Envoy for Climate Change — serving as COP28 President. The summit was initially controversial due to the appointment of an oil company executive as president, but ultimately produced what was termed the “UAE Consensus,” a landmark outcome document. The UAE mobilised significant diplomatic resources to broker agreements across traditionally divided negotiating blocs, including between developed and developing nations, oil-producing states, and climate-vulnerable island nations.

Key Data

COP28 attracted over 97,000 registered participants, making it the largest COP in history. The UAE Consensus included the first explicit reference in a COP outcome to transitioning away from fossil fuels, a tripling of global renewable energy capacity by 2030, and a doubling of the global rate of energy efficiency improvement. The summit also operationalised the Loss and Damage Fund, with initial pledges exceeding USD 700 million. The UAE contributed USD 100 million to the fund.

Vision 2031 Significance

Hosting COP28 established the UAE as a credible interlocutor in global climate governance and validated its dual identity as a major hydrocarbon producer and clean energy investor. The diplomatic outcome reinforced the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 commitment, elevated its climate diplomacy profile, and created a platform for the country’s green hydrogen, carbon capture, and renewable energy sectors on the world stage.

  • Net Zero 2050 — The UAE’s national emissions target, reinforced through COP28.
  • UAE Consensus — The landmark outcome document of COP28.
  • ADNOC — The company led by COP28 President Dr. Sultan Al Jaber.
  • Green Hydrogen — A decarbonisation technology showcased during COP28.