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

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum is the Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai. He has held the positions of Vice President and Prime Minister since January 2006 and became Ruler of Dubai on 4 January 2006 following the passing of his brother Sheikh Maktoum. He is the architect of Dubai’s transformation into a global commercial, tourism, and logistics hub, and as Prime Minister he chairs the UAE Cabinet, directing federal policy execution across all government ministries.

UAE Context

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid has driven Dubai’s development from a regional trading port into one of the world’s most diversified and internationally connected economies. Under his leadership, Dubai launched Emirates Airline, developed the Jebel Ali Free Zone and Port, built the Palm Jumeirah, hosted Expo 2020, and created the Dubai International Financial Centre. As Prime Minister, he has championed governance innovations including the UAE Government Accelerators programme, the Ministry of Possibilities, and the appointment of ministers for artificial intelligence, happiness, and future affairs.

Key Data

As Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid chairs a Cabinet of approximately 30 to 35 ministers and leads annual government retreats that set national strategic priorities. His Dubai 2033 Economic Agenda (D33) aims to double the emirate’s GDP and position Dubai among the top three global economic cities. He is also a published author and poet, and established the Arab Reading Challenge and the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation.

Vision 2031 Significance

As the head of federal government operations, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid is directly responsible for translating Vision 2031 objectives into ministerial strategies and measurable outcomes. His emphasis on agile government, data-driven decision-making, and public-private partnerships shapes the operational approach to national development goals.

  • UAE Cabinet — The executive body he chairs as Prime Minister.
  • D33 Agenda — Dubai’s economic strategy targeting 2033 objectives.
  • Government Accelerators — The programme he launched to fast-track national priority projects.
  • Smart Government — The digital transformation agenda he championed for Dubai and the federation.