President Sheikh Mohamed has issued a directive for dams and canals to be constructed across the UAE to support efforts to bolster water security and take action against future flood threats.
The project, approved by the Executive Committee for the President's Initiatives and announced on Friday, includes nine water dams, the expansion of two existing ones and the creation of several embankment barriers.
The measures will strengthen infrastructure to cope with the effects of climate change and increase water reserves by collecting rain and flood water, with a storage capacity of up to eight million cubic metres, state news agency Wam reported.
Work will be carried out in 13 residential areas – Shis and Khor Fakkan in Sharjah; Masfout in Ajman, Sha'am and Al Fahleen in Ras Al Khaimah; and Mohamed Bin Zayed City, as well as the areas of Abu Hail, Qidfa, Murbeh, Dadna, Al Seeji and Ghazimri, in Fujairah.
It is estimated that it will take up to 19 months to complete the project, along with the construction of nine water canals, about 9km long, to mitigate the effects of rainfall.
Improving infrastructure
The initiative is the latest step by the country's leadership to address the impact of heavy rainfall and boost infrastructure in line with the UAE Water Security Strategy 2036.
Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah, in March inaugurated a 132,000-square-metre lake designed to protect the emirate against flooding, while also serving as a tourism attraction.
Al Hefaiyah Lake, in the city of Kalba, has a capacity of more than 586,735 cubic metres and a depth of up to four metres. The lake features a 3.2km conduit to bring water in from the lowlands and surrounding mountains. Sharjah has over the years been hit by flash floods caused by heavy rain.
In 2022, Sheikh Dr Sultan ordered that Dh50,000 ($13,615) was to be given to every family forced to leave their homes during flooding caused by what at the time was reported to be heaviest rainfall to hit the country in 30 years.
Water security in focus
The new strategy is part of the UAE's commitment to protecting against water shortages, by enhancing infrastructure and promoting innovation and technology in agriculture to preserve precious supplies of water.
In February, Sheikh Mohamed launched the Mohammed bin Zayed Water Initiative to enhance international co-operation to address global water scarcity.
In June, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, approved the launch of the AgriFood Growth and Water Abundance (Agwa) Cluster in the emirate. The project was said to be crucial to strengthening food and water security in the Emirates and around the globe, while it also aimed to create tens of thousands of new jobs.
Agwa, led by the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office, aims to provide a platform to support local suppliers and exporters to maximise commercial opportunities and ease pressure on agriculture systems.
The biog
Hobbies: Salsa dancing “It's in my blood” and listening to music in different languages
Favourite place to travel to: “Thailand, as it's gorgeous, food is delicious, their massages are to die for!”
Favourite food: “I'm a vegetarian, so I can't get enough of salad.”
Favourite film: “I love watching documentaries, and am fascinated by nature, animals, human anatomy. I love watching to learn!”
Best spot in the UAE: “I fell in love with Fujairah and anywhere outside the big cities, where I can get some peace and get a break from the busy lifestyle”
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Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
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Russia's Muslim Heartlands
Dominic Rubin, Oxford
