The General Pension and Social Security Authority (GPSSA) has launched a new Pension Advisory Service designed to offer precise legal and technical guidance on the UAE Pension Law, marking a significant step in improving retirement planning support across the country.

Accessible through the Ma’ashi digital platform, the service enables users to better understand pension regulations, navigate procedures, and make informed decisions with greater clarity and transparency, according to a WAM report.

The initiative allows members to receive personalised guidance on their pension status, including the ability to calculate both current and projected pension entitlements at the end of service. By offering tailored insights, the service empowers users to explore optimal social security options and identify opportunities to enhance long-term financial security.

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“The GPSSA is dedicated to supporting customers by delivering reliable information and precise guidance on pension and social security laws in the UAE,” said Hind Al Suwaidi, Executive Director of the Pension Sector at the GPSSA.

She added, “Our mission is to equip beneficiaries with a clear understanding of their pension status and available options, enabling them to make informed financial decisions for a secure and stable retirement. While we ensure the accuracy of the information provided, the responsibility for final decisions ultimately rests with the customer.”

Seamless booking and virtual consultations

Customers can access the service by logging into their accounts on the Ma’ashi platform, selecting the Pension Advisory Service option, and booking an appointment at a convenient time. Once confirmed, users receive a link to join their consultation via Microsoft Teams.

The GPSSA has advised members to review their profiles in advance and prepare relevant questions to maximise the value of each session. Consultations are conducted by a specialised team to help insured members better understand their benefits and plan effectively for retirement.

The launch reflects GPSSA’s broader commitment to enhancing digital government services and improving user experience. By introducing proactive and accessible solutions, the authority aims to streamline service delivery while supporting financial stability for its members.

This initiative aligns with GPSSA’s ongoing digital transformation strategy, which focuses on reimagining government services to meet evolving customer needs and strengthen retirement preparedness nationwide.

Games for Change, in partnership with Tencent Games, has launched a new programme aimed at helping families better understand and engage with the role of video games in young people’s lives.

The initiative builds on the Raising Good Gamers programme, as global gaming audiences continue to expand, with an estimated 3.3 billion players worldwide. The development is particularly relevant for high-growth regions such as the Middle East, where gaming adoption is rising rapidly across markets including Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Egypt.

As part of the initiative, the partners have released a new white paper titled Raising Good Gamers: What Families Need to Know About Video Games and Well-Being, authored by Dr Rachel Kowert, Research Director at Games for Change.

The research draws on data from 15 countries and seven languages, alongside interviews with parents and game developers, to provide insights into how families, educators and policymakers can approach gaming in a more balanced and informed way.

The programme will also deliver practical tools and resources for families, schools and youth organisations. Developed by Arana Shapiro, chief programme officer at Games for Change, these include workshops and conversation guides designed to help parents engage constructively with their children’s gaming habits.

The materials focus on promoting positive play, including respectful behaviour, communication and community participation.

Global rollout with Middle East expansion planned

Following a pilot workshop in the United States (US) in March, the programme is set to roll out across the US and the United Kingdom (UK) in September. The initiative is expected to expand internationally, including into the Middle East, in the next phase.

Susanna Pollack, president of Games for Change, said: “For many parents, video games are a meaningful part of their children’s lives, but one they don’t always feel equipped to navigate. As gaming continues to evolve, families are increasingly looking for balanced, practical support. Through this partnership and accompanying research, we’re bringing together data, behavioural science and the voices of families themselves to help address the questions parents have and give them the tools to engage with gaming in a more informed, confident and constructive way.”

Danny Marti, head of public affairs at Tencent, added: “Video games are an enriching and widely enjoyed part of modern life, yet public debate around games is too often shaped by narrow or incomplete narratives. Raising Good Gamers reflects a belief that positive play is a shared responsibility, one that benefits from collaboration across industry, researchers, educators, policymakers, and families. By grounding the conversation in evidence and practical experience, this partnership aims to support more informed decision-making and a more balanced understanding of the role video games play in young people’s lives.”

The initiative will also be featured in an upcoming episode of the Good Game Club podcast, set for release on April 16, 2026, and will be showcased at the Games for Change Festival in New York in July 2026, where full findings from the white paper will be presented.

The partnership reflects growing industry efforts to shape more constructive, evidence-based conversations around gaming, particularly as younger, digitally native populations drive global growth in the sector.

GEMS Education has expanded its GEMS Rewards mobile app to all UAE residents, widening access to a platform that was previously limited to its student families and employees, as households continue to navigate shifting economic conditions and rising day-to-day costs.

The move marks a marked expansion of one of the private education-linked lifestyle ecosystem, which has grown steadily since its launch in 2017 into a network used by more than 100,000 GEMS families.

With the latest rollout, GEMS is positioning the platform as a broader community utility rather than a closed membership benefit, offering users access to more than 1,800 deals across 850 partner brands spanning dining, retail, travel, leisure and wellness.

Jay Varkey, deputy CEO at GEMS Education, said the decision reflects a wider community mandate.

“Our commitment to the community has always extended beyond the walls of our school,” he said. “Opening up the GEMS Rewards platform is a natural evolution of that commitment. In the current environment, this is a practical way for us to support families by helping them save on everyday essentials, while also strengthening the local businesses that are the backbone of our economy. It’s about ensuring the entire community feels supported”.

Loyalty integration and cross-platform savings

Beyond discounts, the platform integrates with several established loyalty programmes, allowing users to convert and exchange GEMS Points across partner ecosystems, including Smiles for telecom and grocery benefits, Air Miles for retail and food delivery platforms such as Talabat and Carrefour, Bounz for rewards at retailers like Choithrams and EROS, and Yes Rewards for fuel savings at ENOC.

The app also includes a hotel booking engine offering preferential rates.

Users can additionally opt into GEMS Rewards Plus, a premium membership tier that provides access to lifestyle facilities including hotel pools, beaches and fitness centres across the UAE.

The expansion reflects a broader trend in the UAE’s consumer market, where education providers, telecom operators and financial platforms are increasingly building integrated lifestyle ecosystems that combine loyalty, access and discounts in a single digital interface.

How to register

Access to the platform has been made straightforward for new users:

• Download the GEMS Rewards app from the App Store, Google Play, or Huawei App Gallery
• Select the “GEMS Community” registration option
• Enter the access code: GEMSUAE2026
• Complete registration before May 31 2026 to unlock six months of complimentary access

The initiative adds to a growing number of UAE-based loyalty and savings ecosystems competing for user engagement in an increasingly value-sensitive consumer environment, where digital platforms are playing a larger role in everyday spending decisions.

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The US Embassy in the UAE has lifted its “shelter-in-place” instruction for US government employees following the cessation of missile and drone attacks in the country, according to a security alert issued on April 14, 2026.

While the immediate threat level has eased, officials stressed that personnel and citizens should remain prepared to take protective action if circumstances change.

The embassy advised that individuals should immediately take shelter indoors if another incident occurs, adding that all Americans in the UAE should be ready to follow the same guidance. The US travel advisory for the country remains at Level 3: Reconsider Travel.

Embassy operations remain restricted

Despite the easing of emergency instructions, the US diplomatic presence in the UAE continues to operate under significant constraints. The US Embassy and Consulate General remain on ordered-departure status, meaning non-emergency US government personnel have already been relocated outside the country.

As a result, only limited consular assistance is currently available for US citizens in the UAE.

Routine visa services also remain suspended until further notice.

Americans seeking passport or consular assistance are instructed to use the US Citizen Services Navigator at the US embassy website and select their preferred location. Embassy officials will respond by email with further instructions.

Guidance for US citizens in the UAE

Authorities urged Americans in the UAE to remain vigilant and prepared. Recommended actions include maintaining supplies of food, water, and essential medications in case extended sheltering becomes necessary, and ensuring travel documents are up to date and easily accessible.

Officials also advised residents to stay informed through official channels, monitor news updates, and maintain communication with family and friends. Citizens are encouraged to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive ongoing security updates.

Additional guidance includes keeping a low profile, remaining aware of surroundings, and ensuring mobile phones are charged with emergency numbers pre-programmed.

Emergency assistance contacts

In the event of an emergency, residents are advised to dial 999 for UAE emergency services.

US citizens may also contact the Embassy in Abu Dhabi at +971-2-414-2200 or the Consulate General in Dubai at +971-4-309-4000. The US State Department Consular Affairs Call Center remains available at 1-888-407-4747 (US and Canada) or 202-501-4444 (worldwide).

A comprehensive trade agreement between the UAE and Azerbaijan has officially come into force, aiming to deepen economic ties, expand investment flows and widen market access between the two countries.

The comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA) is expected to reduce or eliminate tariffs on a broad range of goods and services, creating new opportunities for exporters, investors and small businesses on both sides.

It also seeks to strengthen private-sector cooperation across sectors including logistics, renewable energy, construction and advanced manufacturing.

The deal marks Azerbaijan’s first trade agreement to include a dedicated services chapter, opening the door for expanded collaboration in finance, consulting and professional services.

UAE Minister of Foreign Trade Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi said the agreement represents a turning point in bilateral relations, according to the state news agency, WAM.

UAE-Azerbaijan CEPA a key step to boost trade

“The UAE-Azerbaijan CEPA marks a transformative moment in bilateral ties, and promises to enhance trade flows, unlock new investment opportunities, and foster increased private sector collaboration across key sectors, particularly in logistics, renewable energy, and advanced manufacturing,” he said.

“Azerbaijan is located at a crucial juncture in North-South trade, and by integrating our economic visions, we can ensure increased resilience and sustainable growth in a rapidly changing global market,” he added.

The UAE is Azerbaijan’s largest Arab trading partner, accounting for 40 per cent of its trade with the MENA region. As the leading Arab investor in Azerbaijan, with investments exceeding $1bn, the potential for further economic collaboration is substantial.

The UAE is also the leading Arab investor in Azerbaijan, with cumulative investments exceeding $1bn, according to official figures.

Non-oil trade between the two countries rose 31.4 per cent over the past two years, surpassing $2.2bn in 2025, reflecting growing commercial ties ahead of the agreement’s implementation.

CEPAs forms part of the UAE’s wider strategy to expand its global trade network and diversify its economy away from hydrocarbons, while strengthening links with high-growth emerging markets.