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

Forward Diplomacy is the third of four national priorities within the We the UAE 2031 national vision. It positions the UAE as a significant force in the global economy, a trusted bridge for international trade and partnerships, and a major contributor to development efforts, humanitarian relief, and peace. It also establishes the UAE as a leading country in supporting the global agenda for environmental sustainability.

Two Focus Areas

A global force for growth and stability. This encompasses being an essential player in economic cooperation as an influential power in the global economy, a leading force for good in the world through humanitarian aid and tolerance promotion, and a trusted partner for nation and government capacity building.

A supportive power for the global environmental sustainability agenda. Targets include quantum leaps toward Net Zero, positioning as an environmentally responsible nation and role model for eco-friendly practices, and becoming a centre for innovation in sustainability focusing on science and technology.

Key KPIs

Soft Power Index target: Top 10 globally. Clean Energy Capacity target: 19.8 GW. The UAE hosted COP28 in 2023, marking a major milestone for this pillar.