Sheikh Hamdan says UAE will emerge stronger

DUBAI — Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, assured hundreds of business leaders that the UAE will not only withstand current challenges but emerge even stronger.

Sheikh Hamdan convened the high-level gathering at the Dubai Majlis on Tuesday, bringing together approximately 300 senior figures from Dubai’s business community.

The meeting, which was organised by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, focused on accelerating the emirate’s development agenda, bolstering economic resilience, and adapting swiftly to evolving circumstances while deepening public-private sector collaboration.

In a post on X following the session, Sheikh Hamdan delivered a clear and defiant message:

“We are committed to ensuring business continuity at the highest levels and to continuing to deliver the best services. Our message to the world is clear: Dubai is strong, and the UAE is strong. As we have learned from His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, challenges create opportunities, and we will emerge stronger.”

The remarks come as the UAE faces a series of missile and drone attacks launched by Iran since late February 2026, in retaliation for US and Israeli strikes.

UAE authorities have described the aggression as “brutal and unprovoked,” noting that more than 1,400 projectiles have targeted infrastructure and civilian sites, resulting in six deaths and over 100 injuries. Dubai International Airport experienced minor incidents, including drone strikes in its vicinity that caused limited injuries, yet air and freight operations continued without major disruption.

Speakers at the Majlis included Emirates Airline President Sir Tim Clark, Minister of State for International Co-operation Reem Al Hashimy, and Maj Gen Abdul Al Humaidi from the UAE Ministry of Defence, underscoring the government’s integrated approach to security and economic stability.

Sheikh Hamdan emphasised Dubai’s unwavering commitment to its role as a global hub for trade, tourism, and investment.

“Thanks to the vision of our wise leadership and our close partnership with the business community, Dubai continues to move forward with confidence,” he noted in related statements.

The meeting aligns with broader national efforts to safeguard economic momentum under the D33 agenda and beyond. Business leaders left the session reassured of uninterrupted government support, with assurances that essential services and infrastructure will remain robust regardless of external pressures.

This gathering echoes the UAE’s long-standing philosophy — forged through previous regional challenges — that adversity fuels innovation and growth. As Sheikh Hamdan’s words resonate across boardrooms and global markets, the message is unequivocal: the UAE’s economy is built on resilience, foresight, and an unshakeable partnership between leadership and the private sector.