Following consultations and the approval of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, announced today several changes to the UAE government.

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Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid stated: “Following consultations with my brother, the President, and with his approval, we announce today the following changes to the UAE government: the establishment of a Ministry of Foreign Trade and the appointment of Dr Thani Al Zeyoudi as Minister of Foreign Trade, as well as the renaming of the Ministry of Economy to the Ministry of Economy and Tourism, led by Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri.”

He added: “We also announce that the National Artificial Intelligence System will be adopted as an advisory member of the Council of Ministers, the Ministerial Development Council, and all boards of federal entities and government companies starting in January 2026. It will support decision-making, conduct real-time analyses, offer technical advice, and enhance the efficiency of government policies across all sectors.”

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid concluded: “The world is undergoing a comprehensive transformation—scientifically, economically, and socially. Our goal is to prepare today for the coming decades. Our aim is to ensure continued prosperity and a dignified life for future generations.”

Public Investment Fund (PIF) on June 19 announced the launch of Expo 2030 Riyadh Company (ERC), a wholly owned subsidiary, to build and operate the facilities for Expo 2030 Riyadh – Saudi Arabia’s first World Expo. ERC will also be responsible for preserving the legacy of the event.

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The masterplan for Expo 2030 Riyadh spans 6 million square meters, making it one of the largest World Expo sites. Located to the north of the city, the site will be near the future King Salman International Airport and directly connected to key landmarks across the Saudi capital.

Long-term vision and legacy

Expo 2030 Riyadh is expected to attract more than 40 million visits. Following the event, ERC will lead the transformation of the Expo’s gated area into a global village. This multicultural hub will feature retail, dining, and residential spaces with world-class amenities, aiming to set new benchmarks for sustainable tourism and urban living, a press release by PIF said.

PIF continues to deliver on its strategic mandate: achieving sustainable economic impact for Saudi Arabia while securing long-term returns. As one of the world’s most influential investors, PIF is at the forefront of Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification, driving the development of transformative giga-projects and landmark real estate initiatives.

Strategic partnerships and operational readiness

ERC is rapidly initiating operations to fulfill its mission. It will work closely with local and international private sector partners across construction, cultural programming, and event management to realize Expo 2030 Riyadh’s full potential.

Expo 2030 Riyadh will run from October 1, 2030, to March 31, 2031. It will enhance Riyadh’s appeal to global businesses, underlining its status as one of the world’s fastest-transforming capitals—offering sustainability, connectivity, and high quality of life at scale. Riyadh secured hosting rights for Expo 2030 in November 2023, winning the vote in the first round.

Economic impact and job creation

During its construction phases, Expo 2030 Riyadh and its legacy are projected to contribute approximately $64 billion to Saudi Arabia’s GDP and create around 171,000 direct and indirect jobs. Once operational, the Expo is expected to contribute about $5.6 billion annually to GDP.

Participating countries will have the option to construct permanent pavilions, contributing to the event’s enduring legacy. The Expo will serve as a platform for sustained business and investment opportunities, both regionally and globally.

The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH) and Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre (ADPHC) have announced the launch of a first-of-its-kind Personalised Weight Management Programme in the region.

Combining digital monitoring, a unique reimbursement model, and tailored clinical support, the initiative promotes sustainable weight management and active living. It aims to significantly reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers—ultimately enhancing quality of life and health longevity.

Innovative model for long-term health impact

The programme is open to eligible Thiqa members aged 18 and above who are clinically identified as overweight or obese. It features an innovative reimbursement model designed to encourage sustained engagement, personal accountability, and continuous participation.

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“Our focus is on health—not just weight. This programme supports our vision of an active, health-conscious community by empowering individuals through personalised, science-driven solutions. Weight management requires customised approaches, not a ‘one-size-fits-all’ model, and this programme ensures that each participant receives the support they need to succeed,” said Dr Noura Al Ghaithi, Undersecretary of DoH.

Bridging gaps in preventive healthcare

“We know that even modest weight loss and small increases in physical activity can significantly lower the risk of chronic disease. Traditionally, healthcare systems have lacked clear pathways for doctors to support patients in becoming more physically active or in connecting them with relevant services. Our programme addresses this gap by providing structured guidance, personalised activity plans, and continuous monitoring through digital tools and clinical oversight — empowering our community to proactively manage their health and improve their quality of life,” said Dr. Rashid Obaid Al Suwaidi, Director-General of ADPHC.

Dubai Municipality has completed a Dhs277m sewerage and rainwater drainage network development project in Nad Al Sheba 3, covering 340 hectares and serving up to 300 plots of land.

The project aligns with the emirate’s strategic goals to bolster infrastructure resilience.

The initiative is part of two major programmes: the Dhs30bn ‘Tasreef’ project for rainwater drainage and the Dhs80bn sewerage system upgrade.

It aims to enhance public health, environmental sustainability, and operational efficiency while ensuring readiness for future climate challenges.

Engineer Marwan Ahmed bin Ghalita, director general of Dubai Municipality, said the project supports Dubai’s ambition to lead globally in infrastructure and sustainability. “Completing the Nad Al Sheba 3 project is a significant step towards connecting all areas of Dubai to a fully integrated sewerage and rainwater drainage network, ensuring the emirate’s readiness to face future climate challenges for the next 100 years,” he said.

The sewerage network spans 24 kilometers with pipeline diameters of 200 to 800 millimetres, complemented by 11 kilometres of household connections linking homes and properties to the main system.

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Drainage project and rainwater management

For rainwater management, an advanced pumping station with a 4,000-litre-per-second capacity and a 31-kilometer gravity-based drainage pipeline network, with diameters from 250 to 1,500 millimetres, have been installed to mitigate flooding risks and ensure system reliability during heavy rainfall.

Bin Ghalita emphasised Dubai Municipality’s commitment to adopting advanced technologies and smart engineering solutions to improve service continuity and quality of life. “By applying advanced technologies and smart solutions, we aim to increase operational performance and reinforce Dubai’s status among the world’s leading cities for advanced infrastructure,” he added.

The Nad Al Sheba 3 project is designed to support long-term maintenance efficiency and environmental sustainability, contributing to Dubai’s vision of becoming a global model for smart, resilient urban development.

As the world embraces rapid technological advancements, the digital landscape is evolving at an unprecedented pace.

Innovations like cloud computing, IoT, AI, and blockchain are reshaping industries, but they also bring growing cyber threats.

With cybercrime projected to cost the global economy trillions annually, cybersecurity has become cornerstone of digital resilience and economic stability.

In Saudi Arabia, stc group is leading the charge, advancing cybersecurity to protect businesses, individuals, and the kingdom’s digital future.

With a cybersecurity index (CS Index) rating of 89.88 per cent and a capability maturity level of 4.51 surpassing the global telecom average of 65.7 per cent as of 2024, stc is setting industry benchmarks.

Innovative cybersecurity solutions for a secure ecosystem

To address the growing sophistication of cyber threats across industries — from healthcare and finance to logistics — stc group has developed a robust cybersecurity framework designed to safeguard businesses, government institutions, and individuals from evolving threats, ensuring a secure digital ecosystem for all stakeholders.

At the heart of this strategy is sirar by stc, recognised as one of the top managed security service providers (MSSP) in MENA. Its Threat Intelligence service leverages AI-powered analytics and big data insights to identify, analyse and neutralise cyber threats before they escalate, providing organisations with a proactive defense mechanism.

During Black Hat 2024 in Riyadh – the world’s fastest- growing cybersecurity event, sirar by stc launched a groundbreaking service called ‘Athar’, a Saudi-developed solution designed to protect sensitive data from leaks and enhance organisational resilience against cyberthreats.

Strengthened by sirar by stc’s advanced security solutions, stc’s Security Operations Center (SOC) provides real-time monitoring and rapid incident response capabilities, enabling proactive threat detection and mitigation to minimise the impact of cyberattacks for both the public and private sectors.

In addition to delivering cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions, stc group is committed to fostering a secure ecosystem through its Security Pass Program.

This initiative requires partners to obtain compliance certification from authorised audit firms, ensuring that all entities within stc’s network adheres to the highest cybersecurity standards.

Strengthening cybersecurity through global collaboration

stc group’s ecosystem spans telecommunications, cloud computing, IoT, AI, and digital infrastructure, all secured by advanced cybersecurity measures. These efforts are further amplified through strategic collaborations with both local and global partners.

At the national level, stc works closely with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and the Saudi National Cybersecurity Authority (NCA) to strengthen the kingdom’s digital infrastructure. These partnerships not only enhance technical capabilities but also foster a culture of cybersecurity awareness and innovation across the country.

On the global stage, stc has forged major partnerships with leading technology and cybersecurity providers to elevate its offerings. In 2024, the group announced its partnership with Oracle to enhance cloud security and data sovereignty, ensuring compliance with regional regulations while bolstering infrastructure resilience.

Through sirar by stc, the group partnered with Google Cloud Security to deploy AI-driven cybersecurity solutions tailored to regional needs. Additionally, sirar expanded its long-standing collaboration with Group-IB, advancing risk and attack management capabilities.

As stc continues to expand its global footprint, cybersecurity remains at the core of its growth strategy, ensuring that every new technology and service is built on a secure, resilient foundation.

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