UAE Is an “Unbreakable Fortress,” Saif bin Zayed Tells WGS 2026
Lt General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan described the United Arab Emirates as an “unbreakable fortress” where families, faith, industry, and wealth are secure. Speaking at the World Governments Summit in Dubai, he offered a direct message to citizens and new residents, including daily arrivals of high-net-worth movers. “Do not worry. Your family, your faith, your industry, and your wealth are secure. You are safe, within the unbreakable fortress of the UAE,” he said. The Deputy Prime Minister cited a record net inflow of 9,800 millionaires last year and more than 240,000 millionaires nationwide with total wealth above $785 billion. He framed stability as costly to achieve yet valuable for society and the economy.
A pledge of stability with named guardians
Sheikh Saif paid tribute to President His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, calling him the guardian who keeps the national fortress strong. “Stability comes at a very high cost, yet its rewards are immensely valuable,” he said. He praised His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum for enabling the country to hit non-oil trade targets five years early. The speech linked leadership, service, and social cohesion. It also positioned reassurance as a policy goal in itself.
UAE unbreakable fortress: three pillars of security
The minister set out three pillars. First, industry and technological leadership. Second, comprehensive deterrence with integrated capabilities. Third, a cohesive family grounded in noble values. He stressed that real strength lies not in concrete or walls but in leadership and people.
AI stack and data trust, in plain terms
Sheikh Saif said the UAE completed an “artificial intelligence pyramid” on five layers: clean energy, chips, infrastructure, models, and applications. Artificial intelligence refers to software systems that perform tasks like prediction, pattern detection, or content generation. He argued that the UAE is now a trusted hub for sensitive data, handled “like embassies protected by law.” Chips are the processors that power AI models. Infrastructure covers data centers and networks. Models are algorithms trained on large datasets, while applications bring them into daily use.
Economic heft: trade, energy, and industry
The Deputy PM highlighted non-oil foreign trade that surged over 26 percent to exceed $1 trillion. He cited national strengths in Concentrated Solar Power, nuclear energy production, and aluminum manufacturing. According to him, President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed’s vision shaped an industrial identity that places AI at the core of growth. The UAE now ranks first globally across hundreds of competitiveness indicators and exports to more than 180 countries, he said.
From tents to space: a national arc
Sheikh Saif traced the path from early schooling in tents to space achievements. He pointed to MBZ-Sat at the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre as a recent milestone. The story underscored knowledge, tolerance, and rule of law as the bedrock of a resilient society.
Humanitarian reach and regional gratitude
He described the UAE as a champion of global peace and a leading provider of humanitarian aid. The country supported more than 30 nations. For Gaza, he said assistance exceeds $3 billion—46 percent of total global aid to the enclave—along with over 150 tons of supplies and six water desalination plants. He also thanked Kuwait for early support in health and education, and paid respects to its leaders.
The address blended reassurance with measurable targets. It tied family life to national security and linked industrial policy to trust in institutions. As the World Governments Summit amplified the message, the UAE cast itself as a safe harbor for people and capital, a builder of critical technology, and a steady partner in relief—an “unbreakable fortress” by design.
