The UAE Government Media Office organised for the first time the ‘UAE International Press Conference’ as part of the UAE Government Annual Meetings 2025, with the participation of ministers and more than 200 journalists and media professionals representing local, regional and international media outlets, according to WAM.
The conference served as an open dialogue between the UAE Government and media outlets to highlight key updates, directions, and government achievements across vital sectors.
It also provided a comprehensive overview of the progress in key areas related to investment, energy, artificial intelligence, and the UAE’s foreign aid efforts, in addition to showcasing the country’s major economic achievements and strategic plans to reinforce its global leadership.
The landmark event reflects the UAE’s approach rooted in dialogue and transparency, as well as its commitment to building strong partnerships with leading local, regional, and international media institutions.
As part of its agenda, the event highlighted the UAE’s constructive response to global developments, its positive influence on pressing international issues, and its global efforts to support vulnerable communities and promote peace and cooperation among nations.
Following the issuance of the Federal Law allowing 100 percent foreign ownership of commercial companies, the number of businesses in the UAE grew by 235 percent over the past five years, rising to more than 1.3 million by the end of the first half of this year, compared to 400,000 in the same period in 2020.
Earlier this year, the UAE introduced Artificial Intelligence as a mandatory subject across all grades in public schools. The country also claimed the top global ranking for AI adoption in the workplace in 2025, according to Microsoft's recent report, published earlier this week.
Earlier in May, the ‘Stargate’ project, the largest AI infrastructure cluster outside the US, was announced in the UAE, reaffirming the nation’s position among the most future-ready countries.
A total of 91% of UAE citizens own their homes, one of the highest rates globally, reflecting the success of housing policies in ensuring family stability.
In the healthcare sector, the UAE ranks among the highest in life expectancy, thanks to the quality of care and comprehensive health coverage. The country also ranked ninth globally in the 2025 IMD World Talent Ranking.
The Ministry is also working to ensure supply chain sustainability, accelerate the adoption of advanced technology, and attract investors to the industrial sector.
Highlighting the ministry’s significant progress since its establishment four years ago, His Excellency Al Jaber noted that the industrial sector’s contribution to the national economy has surged by 62% to AED 190 billion, while the value of industrial exports has grown by 68% to AED 197 billion.
He attributed this success to several key factors, primarily a robust legislative and regulatory framework that supports industrial growth and protects the business and investment community. He also emphasised the critical role of effective partnerships between the government, the private sector, and investors.
He also pointed to the UAE’s remarkable rise in global competitiveness, advancing five places in the Competitive Industrial Performance Index to rank 27th globally and first in the Arab world.
The UAE also ranked fifth in the Quality Infrastructure for Sustainable Development (QI4SD) Index. He highlighted the role of the UAE’s advanced framework of standardisation, metrology and conformity in boosting global confidence in the quality of Emirati products and industries. This framework has led to the adoption of over 28,000 national standards and the accreditation of 120 laboratories in line with top international practices.
