Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has provided an update on how its Automated Railway Infrastructure Inspection System (ARIIS), a cutting-edge AI-powered solution, is enhancing metro maintenance and inspections.

This smart robotic platform marks a significant leap in applying artificial intelligence in transportation, boosting safety and operational efficiency while drastically reducing reliance on manual inspections.

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The move aligns with Dubai’s long-term vision to become a global leader in AI and smart, sustainable infrastructure, a WAM report said.

Inside the technology

ARIIS is an autonomous robotic platform equipped with high-resolution 3D cameras, laser scanners, and advanced sensors. It operates primarily during night-time maintenance windows, performing thorough inspections of metro tracks and infrastructure without causing any disruption to passenger services.

As it navigates the network, ARIIS collects comprehensive data on track conditions, including wear and tear, cracks, and structural deviations. This data is then analysed using advanced AI algorithms to enable predictive maintenance. The system doesn’t just identify current issues, it anticipates future problems, allowing maintenance teams to act proactively.

This forward-looking approach significantly extends the life of metro infrastructure, reduces costly emergency interventions, and cuts routine maintenance expenses by up to 25 per cent.

Efficiency that speaks volumes

Since its implementation, ARIIS has delivered remarkable efficiency gains. Inspection times have dropped by 75 per cent, saving an estimated 1,700 human work hours. Traditional inspection activities have been reduced by 70 per cent, while the accuracy and speed of condition assessments have improved by 40 per cent.

The RTA also reports that ARIIS has helped optimise maintenance resource allocation by 40 per cent, thanks to the system’s real-time data analytics, which support smarter, data-driven decision-making.

These advances not only cut costs but also enhance the reliability and safety of the entire Dubai Metro network, benefitting daily commuters and operational staff alike.

What’s next for ARIIS?

Currently deployed on selected metro lines, ARIIS is undergoing phased implementation across the entire network. The RTA confirmed that full deployment will follow successful technical evaluations.

Looking ahead, the authority is considering expanding similar AI-based technologies to other forms of public transit, including the Dubai Tram, depending on infrastructure compatibility.

All ARIIS inspections are carried out according to the highest occupational safety standards and are centrally coordinated to ensure seamless integration with ongoing metro operations.

CrowdStrike Holdings unveiled Falcon Next-Gen Identity Security, a unified solution designed to protect human, machine, and AI agent identities across hybrid IT environments, as attackers increasingly target digital identities to breach organisations.

The new offering, delivered through the company’s AI-native Falcon platform, integrates initial access prevention, privileged access management (PAM), identity threat detection and response (ITDR), SaaS identity security, and agentic identity protection.

CrowdStrike said it removes security blind spots caused by fragmented tools and gives companies immediate protection without integration delays.

“Organisations need trusted identity security now, not months or years from now,” said CrowdStrike president Mike Sentonas. “Access in today’s enterprise is dynamic and unpredictable, with identities spanning users, machines, and AI agents operating across hybrid environments in real time.”

Identity has become the primary path for attackers to compromise enterprises, exploiting service accounts, SaaS credentials, and AI agents with broad system access.

CrowdStrike said non-human agent identities represent “superhuman identities” that expand the attack surface by granting persistent access to sensitive data and workflows.

CrowdStrike Falcon Next-Gen Identity Security: Highlights

Falcon Next-Gen Identity Security provides real-time visibility and autonomous response across on-premises, cloud, and SaaS environments.

It enforces just-in-time access controls, detects lateral movement, and blocks privilege escalation.

The system is powered by agentic AI, which enables autonomous threat analysis and response.

The launch comes as companies face a surge in identity-driven breaches, which bypass traditional identity and access management (IAM) and legacy PAM systems that often fail to address cross-domain attacks spanning endpoints, cloud, and SaaS.

CrowdStrike said the solution is delivered through a single lightweight sensor and managed from one console, giving security teams faster deployment, simplified operations, and immediate time-to-value.

Founded in 2011, CrowdStrike is known for its cloud-native Falcon platform that protects endpoints, cloud workloads, identities, and data.

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In a region where architectural ambition is often equated with scale and spectacle, Msheireb Downtown Doha stands as a bold counterpoint: a 31-hectare urban regeneration development grounded in heritage, sustainability and human-centric urbanism.

Msheireb, historically the heart of old Doha, was once a thriving residential and commercial district. Its transformation today pays tribute to this legacy while shaping the future of urban life in Qatar.

Developed by Msheireb Properties, which is backed by Qatar Foundation and Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), the project reflects a national vision for sustainable, culturally rooted urban development.

“This project was never about building the biggest or boldest,” says Ali Al Kuwari, CEO of Msheireb Properties. “It was about building something timeless – something that brings people back to the soul of urban living.”

“The guiding principles for the project,” he adds, “are driven by heritage and culture, innovation, environment, smart city technology, sustainability, mobility and wellbeing.”

At its core is a deep respect for how Qatari communities traditionally lived: close-knit social structures, walkable streets, and human-scale architecture that promotes connection. “From day one, we wanted to bring people back to their roots and rediscover community and togetherness,” Al Kuwari explains.

This ambition was realised after a rigorous three-year collaboration with global academics and urban planners. “We developed a new definition of architectural language that reflects Qatar’s cultural history,” he emphasises.

Architecture rooted in culture but designed for today

Among the most distinctive features of Msheireb Downtown Doha is the use of courtyard-style housing – a nod to the traditional Qatari townhouse format. Residential homes are clustered around central courtyards that offer privacy while fostering community.

Barahat Msheireb, the main public square located between the M7 cultural hub and the Mandarin Oriental, extends this approach to the community scale. It takes inspiration from the traditional majlis to create a space for gathering, commerce and exchange.

“We were keen to innovate a distinguished architectural methodology that embodies the depth of Qatar’s cultural heritage,” he adds.

One of the biggest challenges, Al Kuwari reminisces, was selecting which elements of Qatar’s rich architectural past should be retained. “We had an abundance of inspiration. The difficulty was in choosing which to feature to strike the right balance between past and present.”

The result: a refined architectural narrative that is not just visually appealing but also socially and culturally coherent. 

In fact, Msheireb’s blend of modernity and tradition is now considered as a benchmark for the wider region.

Sustainability from the ground up

However, Msheireb Downtown Doha isn’t just about aesthetics. it’s a smart city grounded in sustainable heritage urban design, with all its buildings either Gold or Platinum LEED-certified.

The developer has received numerous prestigious awards, including two Asia Property Awards 2025 for ‘Sustainable Development of the Year’ and ‘Excellence in Smart City Planning’, cementing its prestigious position in human-centered urban development. Msheireb Properties also recently signed a strategic partnership with Cundall, the global consultancy, to decarbonise its entire real estate portfolio in the district. This initiative is the first of its kind at this scale in Qatar for urban regeneration and represents a significant step toward reducing the carbon footprint of one of the country’s most prominent urban developments.

“Sustainability has been the core principle for the city, built from the inside out,” says Al Kuwari. “We’ve ensured the deployment of the latest available technologies and adopted design methodologies that encourage sustainable practices and enhance quality of life.

“Our achievement of the GOLD Smartscore certification for three of our commercial buildings demonstrates our unwavering commitment to innovation, sustainability, and technological integration, where we are the first to achieve this accomplishment in Qatar.”

In the district, buildings are positioned to shade one another, materials are light in colour to reduce solar heat absorption, and facades include heat-isolating glass and thicker walls to reduce energy consumption. It also boasts more than 6,400 rooftop solar panels for energy generation and another 1,400 for hot water.

Water systems also maximise reuse. Rainwater and air conditioning condensation are collected, stored, and reused for irrigation and toilet flushing. 

“We built this place to be resilient,” Al Kuwari adds, “and these systems prove that smart design can reduce operational costs while enhancing comfort.”

While sustainability defines the district’s physical form, digital integration powers its daily function.

Smart infrastructure

Msheireb Downtown Doha has established a new standard for innovation in line with Qatar’s vision toward a smart and sustainable future, reaffirming this year its position as the world’s first fully smart and sustainable urban district.

The district’s smart infrastructure features a wide network of over 430 kilometres of fiber optic cables, ensuring high-speed internet. Residents and visitors can access Wi-Fi from more than 5,000 points dispersed across the downtown area.

Additionally, over 650,000 IoT devices monitor and control the smart city community, smart buildings and smart homes. A centralised command and control room, armed with approximately 10,000 surveillance cameras, oversees the district’s safety.

The district also has 8,000 smart metres for utility monitoring, and a Tier-2 data centre, guaranteeing data security.

With this robust digital backbone in place, Msheireb Downtown Doha has emerged as a fully operational district that not only houses residents and cultural venues but also continues to attract global businesses and institutions at scale.

Where business meets culture and community

“We’re seeing phenomenal growth in new tenants shifting their operations into the district,” shares Al Kuwari.

Global firms such as Google Cloud, Microsoft, Total, and Siemens have all moved in, drawn by the district’s liveable, walkable infrastructure and environmentally responsible planning.

In September, the relocation of Media City Qatar’s headquarters to Msheireb Downtown Doha marked an important milestone in the city’s journey as a centre for creative industries and technological development. October witnessed the Government Communication Office relocating its headquarters to Msheireb Downtown Doha, further enhancing the city’s position as a central hub for media and communications in Qatar. Simultaneously, Msheireb Downtown Doha welcomed the first regional TikTok studio and a Snapchat office, marking a pivotal milestone in its transformation into a global digital hub. In December, the International Media Office relocated to Msheireb Downtown Doha as the first government media entity to conduct operations from the city.

“We’ve created a neighbourhood where everything is connected – homes, workplaces, and public spaces – all within walking distance,” says Al Kuwari.

There’s the Msheireb Tram, for instance, a free tram system for convenient mobility, connecting different areas within Msheireb Downtown Doha. This system includes a 2-kilometre closed circular track. The district, which has four EV charging stations, also holds the Guinness World Record for the largest underground car park, featuring an impressive 10,017 spaces.

But beyond infrastructure and corporate momentum, what truly sets Msheireb apart is its cultural heartbeat

Culture remains a priority

At the centre of the district’s identity is a deep commitment to preserving and amplifying Qatar’s rich heritage.

The Msheireb Museums, set within four meticulously restored heritage houses, trace the arc of Qatar’s social, political, and economic journey — from the transformative discovery of oil to the often-overlooked legacy of slavery. 

“They offer powerful, interactive storytelling,” says Al Kuwari. “And help people gain a deeper understanding of Qatar’s cultural history.” 

The efforts to renovate these four heritage houses and transform them into Msheireb Museums have garnered the prestigious “Green Apple” award for beautiful buildings, in recognition of the urban renaissance led by Msheireb Downtown Doha in heritage preservation.

Msheireb Museums have established important partnerships with various ministries and institutions, cementing their position as a vibrant space that stimulates dialogue and drives positive social change, transcending the role of traditional museums and exhibitions.

Far from being static exhibitions, the museums are designed to provoke dialogue, reflection, and connection with the nation’s past. Meanwhile, the Doha Design District gives local and regional designers a global platform. M7, Qatar’s epicentre for innovation and entrepreneurship in fashion, design, and technology, supports emerging Qatari creatives in scaling their ventures. “It’s about cultivating what comes next,” says Al Kuwari.

What sets Msheireb apart is not just this convergence of culture and commerce, but how deliberately it was planned. “Before a single building went up, we spent years thinking about how people want to live,” he adds. “That careful planning is why it works so well today.”

Real estate’s rising growth and importance

That same long-term thinking is now reflected across Qatar’s broader property landscape. Qatar’s real estate market is undergoing a post-World Cup transformation. 

With the global spotlight still lingering, momentum is shifting towards long-term strategic goals – economic diversification, regulatory reforms, and sustainable urbanisation.

According to Knight Frank’s Qatar Real Estate Market Review – Winter 2024/25, Msheireb Downtown Doha is now one of Doha’s strongest performing office submarkets, alongside West Bay. The report notes sustained demand from government entities and corporates, with modern infrastructure and sustainability credentials helping maintain stable rental values.

Foreign investment is also on the rise. Invest Qatar now ranks real estate as the country’s second most attractive

sector for FDI, bolstered by legislative updates that simplify ownership and residency rights and digital tools that streamline property transactions.

“Qatar’s real estate development sector is witnessing accelerated growth,” Al Kuwari notes. “We’re seeing greater emphasis on smart cities, mixed-use communities, and sustainable design – and Msheireb is right at the forefront of these trends.”

But Al Kuwari is clear that the real legacy lies ahead. “Our focus over the next five years is to enrich our cultural offerings, expand our educational programmes, and strengthen our engagement with the local community.”

Currently, Msheireb Downtown Doha is experiencing significant demand for its commercial and residential spaces. Commercial occupancy rates exceed 94 per cent of total spaces, while residential occupancy rates exceed 80 per cent of total capacity, affirming the city’s leadership as a distinguished environment for work and living. These achievements have received international acclaim, with Msheireb Properties being named as one of the most innovative companies in architecture and design by a leading regional publication.

National vision, local impact

Meeting these evolving expectations requires more than architectural prowess – it takes institutional commitment. “We collaborate with partners across Qatar Foundation and QIA to achieve these goals,” Al Kuwari says.

The project’s official launch, timed just before the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, helped establish it as one of the nation’s premier cultural and touristic districts.

In addition to welcoming more than four million visitors during the FIFA World Cup, Msheireb Downtown Doha received over 15 million visitors last year alone, solidifying its role as one of Qatar’s most visited cultural and commercial districts.

But Al Kuwari is clear that the real legacy lies ahead. “Our focus over the next five years is to enrich our cultural offerings, expand our educational programmes, and strengthen our engagement with the local community.”

By continuing to evolve and adapt, he believes Msheireb can serve as a long-term model for what urban life in the Gulf – and the wider world – can look like.

A Gulf-wide blueprint

With regional urbanism at a crossroads, Msheireb Properties’ example is timely. Many cities in the Gulf are now asking urgent questions: How do we build for the future without erasing the past? How do we scale without disconnecting from community?

Msheireb Downtown Doha offers answers. It’s not a vanity project, nor a branding exercise. It’s a living, breathing demonstration of how design, technology, and tradition can co-exist – and in doing so, create value far beyond the balance sheet.

“The world is watching, and expectations are higher than ever,” Al Kuwari concludes. “Whoever ignores the cultural, social, and environmental dimensions in their vision has missed the train of the future.”

The Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ADCCI) has reported a robust increase in the issuance of certificates of origin, underscoring the strength of Abu Dhabi’s non-oil exports and the success of the emirate’s economic diversification strategy.

Between June 2024 and June 2025, certificates of origin issued by the Chamber rose by 10.3 per cent compared to the same period a year earlier.

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This increase signals a broader base of active exporters and a diversification in the emirate’s economic landscape, aligning with Abu Dhabi’s long-term development goals, a WAM report said.

The rise in certifications reflects ADCCI’s efforts to empower the private sector, boost global market access for local businesses, and position Abu Dhabi as a regional trade and investment hub. The data affirms the emirate’s strengthening role in global supply chains and international commerce.

Export growth surges across sectors

Abu Dhabi’s non-oil foreign trade witnessed impressive growth in the first half of 2025, soaring by 34.7 per cent year-on-year. Non-oil exports rose sharply by 64 per cent, while re-exports increased by 35 per cent, and imports grew by 15 per cent, highlighting the dynamism of the emirate’s economic ecosystem.

These results build on the strong performance in 2024, when non-oil trade climbed 9 per cent, non-oil exports grew by 16 per cent, re-exports rose 11 per cent, and imports increased 3 per cent.

According to ADCCI, certificates of origin were issued to companies operating across various sectors, with chemicals, metals, and engineering industries being the most prominent. These figures highlight the emirate’s evolving industrial capabilities and its push to grow a high-value, export-driven manufacturing base.

SMEs accelerate global reach

A key factor in this export success story is the growing participation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). These businesses are increasingly tapping into global markets, backed by a range of targeted initiatives from the Chamber, including export training programs, business matchmaking services, and strategic partnerships with international trade authorities.

Shamis Al Dhaheri, second vice chairman and managing director of the Abu Dhabi Chamber, stated, “The sustained rise in certificates of origin is a clear sign of the emirate’s thriving export sector. This momentum shows that our companies are globally competitive and agile in seizing new market opportunities.”

He added, “It’s also a testament to the trust global markets have in the quality of our products and services. We remain committed to supporting Abu Dhabi’s non-oil exporters, particularly SMEs, by delivering world-class trade facilitation services and helping them grow sustainably.”

Certificates as catalysts for economic expansion

Certificates of origin, essential documents that confirm the national origin of goods, are critical tools for exporters. They enable businesses to benefit from preferential trade terms under bilateral and multilateral agreements, giving UAE-based exporters a distinct competitive edge.

Al Dhaheri emphasised the chamber’s focus on expanding digital trade services, enhancing partnerships, and advocating for the private sector as part of its mission to support Abu Dhabi’s strategic economic vision.

“Certificates of origin serve as gateways to broader trade opportunities,” he said. “They also play a vital role in increasing the private sector’s contribution to Abu Dhabi’s economic progress.”

The Chamber reiterated that the growth in trade certifications reflects growing confidence in its services and underlines the private sector’s resilience. “We’re committed to advancing Abu Dhabi’s ambitions for a sustainable, export-led economy, and we will continue developing platforms that help local businesses expand globally,” Al Dhaheri concluded.

Dubai’s DP World reported a 20.4 per cent jump in H1 2025 revenue to $11.24bn, supported by solid growth in its Ports & Terminals business and contributions from recent acquisitions.

Adjusted EBITDA climbed 21.4 per cent to $3.03bn, while container volumes rose 5.6 per cent on a like-for-like basis to 45.4 million TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units), the company said.

DP World handled 45.4 million TEU across its global portfolio during the period, up 6.7 per cent in reported terms, reflecting both underlying growth and capacity expansion.

Profit was reported at $960m.

DP World H1 revenue and EBITDA grew by 20 per cent

“We are pleased to report strong first-half results, with both revenue and EBITDA growing by over 20 per cent,” said group chairman and CEO Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem. “Ongoing geopolitical tensions, the continued closure of the Red Sea route, and rising uncertainty around global trade tariffs have caused significant disruption across the industry.

“Despite these challenges, our strategy of delivering integrated end-to-end solutions and operating critical infrastructure in key markets has allowed us to continue supporting cargo owners to move their freight.”

The group highlighted resilience across its global network, with non-container revenue, including logistics and marine services, making a stronger contribution to the topline.

DP World has invested heavily in expanding its supply chain capabilities in recent years, including logistics assets in Europe, Africa, and Asia, which management said are providing “greater revenue diversification and stability”.

DP World continues to invest in strategic growth markets, with $1.08bn in capital expenditure during H1.

The full-year capex target of $2.5bn will support expansion in Jebel Ali Port, Drydocks World, Tuna Tekra (India), London Gateway (UK), and Dakar (Senegal), along with DP World Logistics and P&O Maritime Logistics.

Across terminals where DP World has operational control, the company handled 27.4 million TEU, an increase of 7.5 per cent year-on-year.

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