AGP Executive Report

UAE–Germany Deal: Berlin says the UAE will invest €40bn in Germany, including new data centres, and both sides will set up an Investment Council to deepen ties. Women’s Cricket in Dubai: India beat Bangladesh by 40 runs in the Women’s Asia Cup semi-final at Dubai International Cricket Stadium; Shafali Verma hit 64 and Deepti Sharma led the bowling as India booked the final. UAE Sports Business: The DP World ILT20 Season 5 was launched in Dubai for Nov–Dec, with Desert Vipers defending and matches across UAE venues. Fashion Retail: Primark confirmed its first Saudi store will open in March 2027 in Riyadh’s The Avenues with Alshaya. Tech & Transport: Elon Musk’s The Boring Company raised $3bn in a UAE-led Series D, pushing Dubai Loop tunnel work forward. Arts & Culture: Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi plans three new Harry Potter-themed lands for 2029, adding to the park’s expansion.

Dubai Opera 10th Anniversary Season: Downtown Dubai’s landmark venue turns 10 with a 2026–27 programme starting Sept 12, led by Egyptian soprano Fatma Said, the UAE National Orchestra and Maestro Ahmed Farag, plus a world premiere by Mohamed Medhat and a packed run of opera, ballet, comedy and international concerts. Abu Dhabi Festival 2026: The 23rd edition kicks off Oct 10 with Hans Zimmer’s THE NEXT LEVEL tour at Etihad Arena, alongside UAE National Orchestra performances and Emirati talent across major cultural venues. Creativity Week in Dubai: Dubai Lynx reveals its Oct 6–7 Content Sessions at Dubai Media City, ending Oct 8 with the Dubai Lynx Awards Ceremony at Emirates Golf Club. UAE Arts & Culture on Stage: Hakkasan Group spotlights how it builds Cantonese culture through food, design and music—an approach that’s shaped its global entertainment identity. Sports in the UAE spotlight: Women’s Asia Cup semi-final action heads to Dubai International Stadium today as India take on Bangladesh, with streaming and TV details driving local interest. Sharjah Chess for Schools: Sharjah Cultural and Chess Club launches an online Hamda Bint Taryam School Chess Championship (Oct 7–Nov 3) on Lichess, with Dhs 60,000 in prizes.

UAE Sports Spotlight: Kuwait grabbed third overall at the AJP Tour Asia Jiu-Jitsu Championship in Abu Dhabi, with coach Ahmad Al-Rashed crediting disciplined training and Olympic Committee support as the UAE hosted more than 2,000 athletes from 90 countries. Combat Sports in Dubai: Vault Fight League is counting down to its first Dubai show on September 12 at Dubai Media City’s The Agenda, pitching a storytelling-first fight night built around fighter personalities and rivalries. Ryder Cup Business Tie-Up: Qashio became an official supporter of the Ryder Cup 2027, aligning its Dubai base with the sport’s global decision-makers ahead of the 100th anniversary in Ireland. Sharjah Club Culture: Al Thiqah Club unveiled a new visual identity after 38 years, aiming to reflect continuity and determination for future sporting and cultural wins. Tech & Lifestyle: Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4, plus iPhone 18 Pro models and AirPods 5, are set to land in the UAE on September 18. Space & UAE Pride: UAE astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi is in Paris for an international space summit focused on low Earth orbit governance and partnerships. Entertainment: Mirzapur: The Movie makes its big-screen debut after moving from streaming, with the cast framing it as a fan-driven “family” story.

UAE Arts & Culture: Abu Dhabi Festival returns for its 23rd edition from October 10, with a global line-up spanning music, opera, ballet and contemporary arts, including UAE National Orchestra at Etihad Arena (Oct 10) and Hans Zimmer’s THE NEXT LEVEL tour (Nov 13). UAE Performing Arts: UAE National Orchestra launches Season Two with “To This Land, We Belong” on Sept 18 (NYU Abu Dhabi) and Sept 20 (Dubai Opera), featuring three Emirati world premieres and poet Arif Al Khajah. Contemporary Art: Lawrie Shabibi (Alserkal Avenue) hosts Egyptian artist Nada Elkalaawy’s solo show “The Butterfly’s Burden” (Sept 23–Nov), exploring memory, loss and regeneration through collage and painterly processes. Local Heritage in Focus: A rare early photo of Zayed the Great is on display in Berlin, highlighting deep UAE–Germany cultural ties as President Sheikh Mohamed visits Germany. Sports with a UAE angle: The UAE National Orchestra and Abu Dhabi Festival headline the arts calendar, while UAE sport news includes the Emirates Champions Season kick-off: the UAE Kickboxing Championship (Sept 11–13) at Mubadala Dome in Abu Dhabi. Dubai Lifestyle & Entertainment: Dubai Metro turns 17, with fresh highlights on its iconic design and ridership milestones.

UAE Sports & Community: Abu Dhabi’s Family Park B is powering a new fitness movement after three Kerala karate instructors launched “Positive Fit,” growing from a small morning workout into a community of 2,000+ participants. UAE Youth Football: The Manchester City Abu Dhabi Cup returns in January with more teams and a bigger girls’ programme, plus new individual awards and a prize draw that includes a trip to a City Football Group club. Falconry & Heritage: Katara’s 10th Katara International Hunting and Falconry Exhibition, S’hail 2026, opened with 15 countries and 158 exhibitors, running until Sept 12 and blending heritage with outdoor tech. Women’s Sport Spotlight: The Fatima Bint Mubarak Women Sports Award has received 343 nominations, with entries extended to Oct 6 for Asian Games participants. Cricket in Dubai: Deepti Sharma’s Asia Cup form is lifting her ICC women’s T20I bowling ranking, moving her up to 6th. Global Arts & Lifestyle: Maison Crivelli opens its first Paris boutique on Sept 19, while Karim Benzema shares Umrah photos from Makkah. Regional Politics: Israeli opposition leaders are calling Netanyahu “unfit” after a report that the UAE warned him about a Hamas operation before Oct 7, which Netanyahu’s office denies.

UAE Arts & Culture: Cultural Foundation Abu Dhabi has unveiled its September–December 2026 programme, packed with international performances, art exhibitions, community events and a new literary track, including Peking Opera, Irish dance, flamenco Romeo & Juliet, anime music nights and a children’s theatre run. UAE Entertainment & Pop Culture: Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi is set to expand with three Harry Potter-themed lands (including a Forbidden Forest area), with new rides planned for 2029. Dubai Live Music: Ely Buendia and Chito Miranda sold out Dubai’s Coca-Cola Arena for an OPM concert, adding to a busy week of regional touring acts. Sports in the Emirates: PFL returns to Dubai with a heavyweight title defence—Vadim Nemkov vs Sergei Bilostenniy—on Nov 14 at Coca-Cola Arena. Tech & Lifestyle: Emirates launched the world’s first electric Premium Economy privacy screen on its A350s, while Dubai’s Metro station ONPASSIVE has been renamed Garmin under a 10-year deal. Global Arts: Artists Jenny Holzer and Andy Goldsworthy are among the Praemium Imperiale winners, each taking home about $95,000.

UAE Sports & Culture: Emirati ultra-runner Ahmad Al Janahi became the first Emirati to finish the 174km UTMB World Series Finals in Chamonix, battling severe stomach pain and fatigue before reaching the finish after 37 hours 50 minutes. Women’s Empowerment in Dubai: Dubai Municipality launched “Athar,” an exhibition celebrating Emirati women’s impact, with workshops spanning fashion, perfume-making, handicrafts and more from Sept 7–21. Theme Parks (Abu Dhabi): Miral and Warner Bros. Discovery Global Experiences confirmed three new Harry Potter-themed lands—Diagon Alley, Hogwarts and the Forbidden Forest—at Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, targeting completion in 2029. Metro Branding: RTA granted Garmin 10-year naming rights for the ONPASSIVE Metro Station, with signage updates rolling out from September to end-November 2026. Entertainment & Events: Middle East Film and Comic Con added Simu Liu, Charithra Chandran and Shameik Moore to its Abu Dhabi line-up at ADNEC (Sept 11–13). AI in Business: Bukhatir Group and Magure launched DIWAN, a secure enterprise AI assistant now live for employees across the group. Racing & Leisure: Tickets are on sale for the 2026–27 Dubai Racing Carnival at Meydan (Nov 6–Mar), with new hospitality venues and packages.

Art & Culture: Tabari Artspace DIFC is set to host Mohamed Monaiseer’s solo “85 Seconds To Midnight” (Sept 11–Oct 1), using cycles and repetition to examine war, occupation and how violence repeats across generations. Entertainment & Film: Taapsee Pannu’s Gandhari is trending No.1 on Netflix in eight countries, with the UAE among markets where the action thriller’s mother-and-child story is breaking out. Theme Parks: Miral and Warner Bros. Discovery Global Experiences announced three new Harry Potter lands at Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi—Diagon Alley, Hogwarts and the Forbidden Forest—covering 63,000 sqm, targeted for completion in 2029. UAE Live & Leisure: ADNEC Group says it will run 297 events across Abu Dhabi and Al Ain in the second half of 2026, spanning exhibitions, conferences, sports and cultural programmes. Local Arts & Community: Sharjah Ladies Club’s “Back to School Adventure” brought mothers and children together with Zumba, creative workshops and sports challenges. Dubai Courts: A Dubai civil court ordered an attacker to pay AED350,000 to a musician left permanently disabled after an assault at a private Halloween party. Sports (UAE-linked): Sri Lanka booked Women’s Asia Cup semis after Harshitha’s unbeaten 48* vs Bangladesh in Dubai.

UAE Arts & Culture: Abu Dhabi’s ADIBF 2026 will launch “Emirati Pioneers,” a new initiative to document the lives behind major cultural shifts, turning personal stories into lasting knowledge. Heritage & Events: ADIHEX 2026 in Abu Dhabi continues to spotlight falconry, equestrianism and Emirati crafts, with Sheikh Zayed bin Mohamed bin Zayed touring pavilions and backing the show’s role in preserving national identity. Entertainment & Theme Parks: Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi is expanding its Harry Potter project into three distinct indoor themed lands, with a full reveal teased for Sept 7. Sports & Community: Make-A-Wish UAE fulfilled 18 wishes for children from Gaza at Emirates Humanitarian City, marking the International Day of Charity. Business of Culture: ADNEC Group says it will host 297 events across Abu Dhabi and Al Ain in H2 2026, spanning fashion, AI, defence, wellness and more. Digital Media: Dubai Press Club unveiled the agenda for the Arab Social Media Influencers Summit, focused on responsible digital influence and content creation.

UAE Art Spotlight: Dubai-based mixed-media artist Aamna Zabeen talks about how landscapes—shaped by India’s memories and Dubai’s contrasts—become emotional, layered works that “preserve a feeling,” not just a view. Abu Dhabi Culture & Sport: ADIHEX 2026 in Abu Dhabi drew major attention as a rare “Pure Ultra White” falcon sold for a record AED 1.5m, underlining the UAE’s falconry heritage. Falconry Meets Fashion/Entertainment: The exhibition also showcased standout creative moments, from a Sheikh Mohamed falconry-themed artwork that blended a real bird into a detailed scene. UAE Sports Calendar: Today’s UAE action includes Al Nasr vs Ajman and Al Dhafra vs Al Wahda, with broadcast details for fans. Regional Sports Buzz: Bahrain’s beach soccer draw is set for Kuala Lumpur, while Bahrain named its Asian Games basketball squad and parted ways with Muharraq coach Isa Al Saadoun. Global Pop Culture: Bigg Boss 20 premieres tonight with Salman Khan back as host, and UFC 333 lands in Abu Dhabi on Oct 24.

UAE Sports Spotlight: Sharjah Shooting Club’s Al Kaabi is in Baku training twice daily at a shooting centre, building technical and physical readiness for the Asian Games with administrator Abdulrahman Al Huwaier and coach Dilshod Mukhtarov. Dubai Cricket Drama: India crushed Pakistan in the Women’s T20 Asia Cup in Dubai, bowling Pakistan out for a record-low 55 and cruising to a seven-wicket win; Shafali Verma Milestone: Verma became the fastest and youngest to 3,000 Women’s T20I runs, reaching the mark in her chase within the first two deliveries. UAE Heritage & Events: Nahyan bin Mubarak visited ADIHEX, highlighting heritage arts and crafts plus falconry, equestrianism and desert traditions as the 23rd edition grows. Global Arts & Glam: Georgina Rodriguez walked Venice Film Festival red carpets in custom Gucci looks, tying high-fashion to the festival’s big-screen buzz. Cycling Update: UAE Team Emirates-XRG’s Tadej Pogačar will miss the rest of 2026 after a Vuelta crash, but extended his contract through 2032.

UAE sports & entertainment: Dubai International Cricket Stadium hosts the Women’s Asia Cup Group A showdown as India (already through) take on Pakistan on Saturday, with Smriti Mandhana’s record-breaking form and Harmanpreet Kaur’s milestone 150th T20I as captain in the spotlight. UAE arts & culture: Abu Dhabi’s ADIHEX continues to spotlight heritage as Al Kindi frames falconry and equestrianism as “soft power,” turning tradition into a global cultural experience. UAE community & youth: Dubai schoolgirl Lyla Ali, 12, steps up after impressing at Aston Villa trials, with Go-Pro Academy pushing her against older talent to prepare for the UK pathway. Global entertainment business: Begin, an OTT platform focused on premium entertainment and sports, announces a strategic tech partnership with Huawei and Allianz Hosting to expand cloud, AI and anti-piracy capabilities. Fashion & business watch: Shein’s Hong Kong debut comes after a valuation slump, as investors reassess the fast-fashion giant’s growth and profitability. Philanthropy gala: Cinnamon Life’s Forum hosts the inaugural “I See You” gala on 13 September, supporting mental health and education via 100% proceeds.

UAE Sports Spotlight: President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed received the UAE youth handball team after they qualified for the 2027 World Championship, praising the win as a boost for UAE sport. Travel & Aviation: Emirates unveiled the world’s first electrically powered Premium Economy seat on new A350 deliveries, adding full-height privacy screens and smoother recline controls. Arts & Culture in the UAE: ADIHEX 2026 in Abu Dhabi kept rolling with heritage and equestrian showcases, falconry demos, and cultural performances across its run. Global Entertainment Buzz: Nintendo confirmed a Zelda 40th anniversary Direct on Sept 8, followed by another Direct and Treehouse livestream on Sept 9—fueling fresh Ocarina of Time remake speculation. Sports Beyond Cricket: EuroLeague CEO says any NBA Europe deal must benefit both sides, with the league ready to compete if no mutually good partnership forms. Cricket from Dubai: Smriti Mandhana’s record 124 vs Hong Kong powered India to a 137-run win and made her the top run-scorer in women’s international cricket.

UAE Humanitarian Reach: The UAE has dispatched a Nepal flood rescue team, with disaster-response and medical evacuation experts, after earlier aid flights and a US$10m relief allocation as the death toll climbs past 1,200. UAE Sports Rising: UAE badminton’s Malhan rockets to the top of the men’s junior singles rankings, while Prakriti Bharath breaks into the world’s top 100—both credited to a wider national development pipeline. Abu Dhabi Culture in Motion: Moscow’s Doorway to Abu Dhabi Festival drew 580,000+ visitors with Emirati gahwa, crafts, and performances, including Al-Ayyala and Al Harbiya. Heritage Meets Entertainment: Abu Dhabi’s ADIHEX continues to spotlight falconry and Saluki traditions, with education and interactive experiences for younger visitors. Global Sports & Travel Buzz: Emirates unveils the first electrically powered Premium Economy privacy screen on new A350s, while travel advisories and airline suspensions keep UAE-bound plans on edge. New UAE Event: Abu Dhabi will host the UAE’s first international professional sumo competition on September 26 at Space42 Arena.

Women’s Asia Cup in Dubai: Smriti Mandhana smashed a record 124 off 64 balls to make India’s 193/5 against Hong Kong, then watched her bowlers bundle HK out for 56—securing a 137-run win and a semi-final spot. The knock crowned her as women’s cricket’s leading run-scorer and century-maker, overtaking Mithali Raj and Meg Lanning. UAE sports spotlight: The UAE Cycling Federation announced a partnership push with EB Investment, plus bicycle donations to national clubs—aimed at building riders and supporting teams. Motor racing culture: FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem renewed calls to end online abuse of race stewards ahead of the Italian GP at Monza. Fashion retail expansion: Primark confirmed its first Bahrain store opening at City Centre Bahrain on Sept 23, with Qatar following at Doha Festival City on Oct 29, while also expanding in Dubai’s Mall of the Emirates. Abu Dhabi heritage and sport: ADIHEX 2026 drew a high-profile visit from Abu Dhabi’s Crown Prince, highlighting hunting, equestrian and falconry alongside Emirati heritage preservation.

UAE Sports Diplomacy: The UAE Olympic Committee met sports federations in Dubai to fine-tune preparations for the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya (Sept 19–Oct 4), covering team logistics, technical readiness and a two-hour opening ceremony at Mizuho Park Stadium. Abu Dhabi Sumo Spotlight: Space42 Arena will host the UAE’s first international professional sumo event on Sept 26, with nine elite rikishi from Japan, Mongolia and Egypt competing in 36 bouts plus traditional pre-fight rituals. Fashion & Retail Buzz: Elie Saab is teaming up with H&M for a couture-inspired collection launching Oct 22 in Egypt and across the Gulf. MENA Media Growth: Dubai-headquartered PURPLE expands with a new Middle East & North Africa office, while ITP Media Group buys Singapore’s Heart Media Group to push further into Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore. Entertainment Calendar: Anyma will headline the Abu Dhabi F1 after-party on Dec 4 at Yasalam, with ticket presales starting Sept 9. Cricket in Dubai: Chamari Athapaththu’s seven-wicket haul helped Sri Lanka restrict Indonesia to 49 in the Women’s Asia Cup, while India’s late-innings wobble is under the spotlight ahead of Hong Kong. Tech & Learning Debate: UAE schools are among those adopting AI tools, but backlash is growing as countries move to restrict generative AI for younger students.