UAE Minister of State for International Co-operation Reem Al Hashimy attends a Brics meeting in Rio de Janeiro last month. The UAE is an integral part of the grouping. EPA
UAE Minister of State for International Co-operation Reem Al Hashimy attends a Brics meeting in Rio de Janeiro last month. The UAE is an integral part of the grouping. EPA
UAE Minister of State for International Co-operation Reem Al Hashimy attends a Brics meeting in Rio de Janeiro last month. The UAE is an integral part of the grouping. EPA
Dr Abdulkhaleq Abdulla is a UAE-based retired professor of political science. He is currently a non-resident senior fellow at Harvard University
May 09, 2025
The UAE is fast adapting to the changing realities of global politics and affirming its new status as an active middle power that keeps up with the latest in global conversations.
So, if the current global conversation is about the rise of Asia as the new centre of global gravity, the UAE is fast rediscovering its Asia affinity. It is proudly an Arab Gulf state but increasingly becoming aware of its Asian identity, too. The 21st-century UAE is thinking Asia, gradually pivoting East and getting used to being geographically and strategically affiliated with West Asia just as it a rising Middle East power house. The UAE's Asian affinity is bound to deepen in the years to come, as Asia emerges as the continent of the future.
And if the latest mega-trend in the world order is the rise of a group of countries called the Global South, the UAE is becoming a role model in that group. It is already a leading member of Group of 77 at the UN. But more tellingly, the UAE has unreservedly confirmed its full and active membership of Brics+, the intercontinental bloc made up of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa as well as Egypt, Iran, Ethiopia and the UAE. The UAE’s inclusion in Brics+ signals its growing geopolitical ambition and its pivot toward alternative international alliances. As a new member of this intercontinental bloc, it aspires to be the voice of the Global South.
But then, if the 21st-century global conversation is about the role of middle powers, the UAE has already made it to the list of about 30 states that scholars have identified as the middle powers of the world. The list also includes two other Arab Gulf states, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. The UAE is no longer the small state it once was. It doesn’t think small anymore. It no longer acts like a small state. The new UAE thinks and behaves as an active and proactive middle power. Key global and regional capitals respect the UAE as a credible and trustworthy member of that club.
The 21st century is still an American century, regardless of the massive uncertainties and disruptions recently experienced
Finally, if the current global conversation is about the role of so-called “mini-lateralists” in world politics, then the UAE has become a prominent player in this era of mini-lateralists collectively navigating the post-American world. Mini-lateralism is form of international co-operation that involves a random group of countries working together to solve specific problems or achieve common goals.
The UAE is leveraging its strategic location, economic power, financial clout, soft power and diplomatic agility to engage in varieties of global economic diplomacy. The best illustration of this is its latest strategic drive to diversify and strengthen its global trade relations. As of 2025, the UAE has signed 26 Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (Cepas) with key global partners. Eight of these are fully active.
The UAE mini-laterlist drive also includes being founding member of four countries that make up I2U2 group – the strategic partnership between India, Israel, the US and, of course, the UAE. This partnership was launched in 2021 to collaborate on economic and technological projects, especially in areas such energy, health care and food security.
US President Donald Trump and Steve Witkoff, the US special envoy to the Middle East, during a ceremony at the White House in Washington. Trump is due to visit the region next week. Bloomberg
Additionally, the UAE is a signatory to the Abrahamic Accords, signed in September 2020 at the White House with Israel. The Accord aimed to establish new diplomatic, economic and cultural ties, promoting peace and stability in the troubled Mena region.
No less important is the Emirates’ prominent status as a founding member of the Imec, the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, which is a major international infrastructure initiative launched in September 2023 during the G20 Summit in New Delhi.
These are but a few examples of the UAE using its active foreign policy and ambitious diplomacy to navigate the post-American world order.
But despite keeping up with the global mega-trends, the UAE is fully aware that the contemporary world order remains fundamentally unipolar. The 21st century is still an American century, regardless of the massive uncertainties and disruptions recently experienced.
The UAE values its newly designated status as a Major Defence Partner of the US, which came about during President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed’s visit to Washington in September. This designation, previously granted only to India, marks a significant elevation in US-UAE strategic relations.
As an active middle power, the UAE feels comfortable setting next to America, the only super power around, and is getting ready to welcome US President Donald Trump next week.
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champioons League semi-final:
First leg: Liverpool 5 Roma 2
Second leg: Wednesday, May 2, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
In the box: iPad mini, USB-C cable, 20W USB-C power adapter
Price: From Dh2,099
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
How being social media savvy can improve your well being
Next time when procastinating online remember that you can save thousands on paying for a personal trainer and a gym membership simply by watching YouTube videos and keeping up with the latest health tips and trends.
As social media apps are becoming more and more consumed by health experts and nutritionists who are using it to awareness and encourage patients to engage in physical activity.
Elizabeth Watson, a personal trainer from Stay Fit gym in Abu Dhabi suggests that “individuals can use social media as a means of keeping fit, there are a lot of great exercises you can do and train from experts at home just by watching videos on YouTube”.
Norlyn Torrena, a clinical nutritionist from Burjeel Hospital advises her clients to be more technologically active “most of my clients are so engaged with their phones that I advise them to download applications that offer health related services”.
Torrena said that “most people believe that dieting and keeping fit is boring”.
However, by using social media apps keeping fit means that people are “modern and are kept up to date with the latest heath tips and trends”.
“It can be a guide to a healthy lifestyle and exercise if used in the correct way, so I really encourage my clients to download health applications” said Mrs Torrena.
People can also connect with each other and exchange “tips and notes, it’s extremely healthy and fun”.
LA LIGA FIXTURES
Friday Valladolid v Osasuna (Kick-off midnight UAE)
Saturday Valencia v Athletic Bilbao (5pm), Getafe v Sevilla (7.15pm), Huesca v Alaves (9.30pm), Real Madrid v Atletico Madrid (midnight)
Sunday Real Sociedad v Eibar (5pm), Real Betis v Villarreal (7.15pm), Elche v Granada (9.30pm), Barcelona v Levante (midnight)
Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
Travel distance: Limited
Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
Duration: Can linger for days
Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
Source: Can be carried from distant regions
Jewel of the Expo 2020
252 projectors installed on Al Wasl dome
13.6km of steel used in the structure that makes it equal in length to 16 Burj Khalifas
550 tonnes of moulded steel were raised last year to cap the dome
724,000 cubic metres is the space it encloses
Stands taller than the leaning tower of Pisa
Steel trellis dome is one of the largest single structures on site
The size of 16 tennis courts and weighs as much as 500 elephants
Al Wasl means connection in Arabic
World’s largest 360-degree projection surface
Global institutions: BlackRock and KKR
US-based BlackRock is the world's largest asset manager, with $5.98 trillion of assets under management as of the end of last year. The New York firm run by Larry Fink provides investment management services to institutional clients and retail investors including governments, sovereign wealth funds, corporations, banks and charitable foundations around the world, through a variety of investment vehicles.
KKR & Co, or Kohlberg Kravis Roberts, is a global private equity and investment firm with around $195 billion of assets as of the end of last year. The New York-based firm, founded by Henry Kravis and George Roberts, invests in multiple alternative asset classes through direct or fund-to-fund investments with a particular focus on infrastructure, technology, healthcare, real estate and energy.
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
George Sainsbury of the supermarket dynasty, sugar magnate William Park Lyle and actress Dame Gracie Fields were residents in the 1930s when the street was only known as ‘Millionaires’ Row’.
Then came the international super rich, including the last king of Greece, Constantine II, the Sultan of Brunei and Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal who was at one point ranked the third richest person in the world.
Turkish tycoon Halis Torprak sold his mansion for £50m in 2008 after spending just two days there. The House of Saud sold 10 properties on the road in 2013 for almost £80m.
Other residents have included Iraqi businessman Nemir Kirdar, singer Ariana Grande, holiday camp impresario Sir Billy Butlin, businessman Asil Nadir, Paul McCartney’s former wife Heather Mills.
Hunting park to luxury living
Land was originally the Bishop of London's hunting park, hence the name
The road was laid out in the mid 19th Century, meandering through woodland and farmland
Its earliest houses at the turn of the 20th Century were substantial detached properties with extensive grounds
Scoreline
Switzerland 5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
