AGP Executive Report

UFC in Abu Dhabi: Alexander Volkanovski retained his featherweight title with a second-round TKO of Movsar Evloev at Etihad Arena. Craft & Heritage: Dubai jeweller Joyalukkas unveiled 16.5kg gold jhumkas, setting two Guinness records. Fifty-five artisans spent 5,840 hours making the peacock-inspired pair. Reading: The Arab Reading Challenge will name its winners on Oct. 29, after drawing students from 60 countries. Culture: Abu Dhabi’s “Memories” exhibition will revisit everyday life in the 1980s and ’90s, while a Zayed National Museum show traces more than 7,000 years of camel history. Dubai Arts: Sole DXB’s 2026 festival moves to Nad Al Sheba, with Lola Young and Overmono among its headliners. Healthy Living: The UAE has begun phased limits on sugar, sodium and fat in selected packaged foods, following survey findings that most adults exceeded recommended sodium intake.

UAE Sport: Alexander Volkanovski stopped Movsar Evloev late in the second round at UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi to retain his featherweight title. Heritage: Ras Al Khaimah Ruler Sheikh Saud visited Fuzhou’s historic Three Lanes and Seven Alleys district and a maritime history exhibition during his China visit, highlighting cultural ties between the emirate and China. Abu Dhabi Memories: A new exhibition opens on October 27, using photographs and artefacts to revisit everyday life in the emirate during the 1980s and 1990s. Reading: The Arab Reading Challenge will name its winners in Dubai on October 29, after drawing a record 40.3 million students from 60 countries. Dubai Creativity: FIX Dessert won the inaugural Dubai-it Award for turning a home business into a global brand behind the Dubai chocolate craze. Online Safety: An interactive Google Internet Heroes experience at Alserkal Avenue is helping families explore tools for children’s digital safety and awareness.

Reading & Education: The Arab Reading Challenge will crown its 10th-edition winners in Dubai on October 29, after drawing more than 40 million students across 60 countries. Abu Dhabi also aims to recruit 2,000 Emirati teachers for private schools over five years. Heritage: Zayed National Museum’s new camel exhibition traces more than 7,000 years of the animal’s history through archaeology, objects and oral histories. Arts & Entertainment: Dubai Fashion Week opened with a celebration of culture, while Sole DXB has announced December performances by Lola Young, Overmono and Fatoumata Diawara. Abu Dhabi will host IIFA again in 2027. Women in Science: Six Arab researchers have received grants and mentorship through the L’Oréal-UNESCO Middle East programme, including UAE researchers working on water security and personalised medicine.

Fashion: Dubai Fashion Week opened with glamorous looks and a celebration of culture, putting the emirate’s designers and creative scene in the spotlight. Books: Sharjah has made Souq Al Warraqeen a permanent market, with about 200,000 titles across 11 categories priced from Dh1 to Dh20. Eastern Region Arts: Kalba’s Cultural Festival brought together exhibitions, school performances, theatre and poetry, including works in calligraphy, visual arts and photography. Education: Abu Dhabi plans to recruit 2,000 Emirati teachers at private schools over five years, beginning with Arabic, Islamic Studies and Social Studies roles. On the Cultural Calendar: Abu Dhabi will host IIFA in 2027 for the fourth time, while the emirate’s first outdoor Children’s Biennale is set to bring art into Umm Al Emarat Park. Young Talent: Ras Al Khaimah’s Ruler honoured 12 students from Guangzhou for artworks inspired by the emirate.

Fashion: Dubai Fashion Week opened its Spring/Summer 2027 season with regional couture and emerging international designers, with shows running until October 26. Art & Exchange: Ras Al Khaimah’s Ruler honoured 12 Guangzhou students for artworks inspired by the emirate’s landscapes, heritage and daily life, celebrating culture’s power to connect young people. Education: Abu Dhabi’s new private-school Emiratisation policy aims to bring more than 2,000 Emiratis into teaching roles over five years. Community & Environment: Umm Al Quwain has closed its beaches after an oil spill reached the shore; cleanup and assessments are under way. UAE campers are also raising concerns about litter, broken glass and noisy parties at outdoor spots. Entertainment: IIFA returns to Abu Dhabi for its fourth showcase in the emirate, bringing Bollywood stars and film-industry events for two days. Health & Wellbeing: Leaders in Abu Dhabi say stronger everyday health literacy is essential to turning advances in longevity and precision medicine into healthier lives.

Youth & Sport: Sharjah Women’s Sports’ School Athletics Championship drew 156 girls aged 11–13, offering pupils a chance to try track and field and discover their strengths. Culture & Identity: Abu Dhabi is exploring culture’s role in shaping identity, while the Sheikh Zayed Festival’s agricultural award pavilion returns from Oct. 30 to spotlight local farmers and sustainable practices. Art Calendar: World Art Dubai runs Nov. 19–22 with 10,000 works from more than 65 countries. Abu Dhabi’s first outdoor Children’s Biennale and newly announced Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial add to the emirate’s public art offerings. Music & Film: IIFA 2027 will bring Bollywood stars to Abu Dhabi, while Sole DXB’s December festival moves to Nad Al Sheba with Lola Young and Overmono among its headliners.

Research & Recognition: Omani researcher Sarah Hamad Al Araimi won the 2026 L’Oréal-UNESCO Young Talents Middle East Award for work turning waste into useful resources. Inclusive UAE: Dubai’s AccessAbilities Expo wrapped up after drawing more than 18,000 visitors from 70 countries, with a focus on assistive technology and inclusion. Fight Week: UFC 333 has sold out Etihad Arena for Saturday’s two-title-fight card, headlined by Alexander Volkanovski versus Movsar Evloev. Local Creativity: A new Drinkit campaign pairs three UAE-based artists with homegrown brands Camelicious and Mirzam, bringing local art and regional ingredients to its Dubai cafés. Winter Traditions: Abu Dhabi’s MOTN Festival opens November 28, followed by Liwa International Festival on December 11. Ahead of Diwali, Dhanteras falls on November 6; Dubai’s 24K gold price was Dh493 per gram on Thursday morning.

Education: Abu Dhabi’s inaugural Emirati Education Forum brought together around 1,200 participants to discuss a more student-centred system, with future skills, AI and the National Education Charter high on the agenda. Health & Lifestyle: A new two-year Abu Dhabi study will give women with high-risk pregnancies wearable rings to track health signals and help doctors spot risks earlier. Sport: Fujairah hosted the West Asia Archery Championship, welcoming 72 archers from six countries; Abu Dhabi is also set to host UFC 333, headlined by Alexander Volkanovski and Movsar Evloev. Arts & Events: Sharjah International Book Fair plans to host more than 50 Arab authors from 17 countries, while World Art Dubai is set to showcase over 10,000 artworks. Coexistence: Minister Nahyan bin Mubarak met a delegation from Lebanon’s Maronite Antonine Order in Abu Dhabi to discuss dialogue, tolerance and stronger community ties.

Traditional Medicine: The UAE Integrative Medicine Council announced four commitments to strengthen safety rules, research and professional training for traditional treatments, alongside modern healthcare. Art & Ideas: World Art Dubai’s 2026 fair will feature more than 10,000 works, from photography and sculpture to digital art, with prices starting around $100. Abu Dhabi Libraries also honoured more than 100 young creatives. Education: Sharjah’s new AI framework for private schools allows students to use generative tools for support, but requires disclosure and bars unauthorised use in exams. Music: Shah Rukh Khan’s UNIFYD festival is coming to Abu Dhabi, with Arijit Singh, Karan Aujla and Sonu Nigam among the announced performers. Culture & Heritage: Abu Dhabi will host a public display of Michael Jackson’s Thriller jacket and other memorabilia at Emirates Palace from November 29 to December 5, ahead of auction. Sport & Learning: The UAE Chess Federation and Abu Dhabi University will develop research and specialised studies to widen chess’s role in education.

Heritage: A regional archaeology project has mapped tens of thousands of ancient tombs across the UAE, Oman and Saudi Arabia, revealing clues to early agriculture and trade. Researchers plan more fieldwork, with a public database of burial sites to follow. Young Creatives: Abu Dhabi Libraries honoured more than 100 students for reading, writing and art; its competitions have reached over 20,000 students since 2012, promoting Arabic and Emirati heritage. Live Events: Shah Rukh Khan will host UNIFYD on Yas Island on March 20, 2027, bringing together more than 15 performers, including Arijit Singh, Sonu Nigam and Karan Aujla. Inclusive Dubai: At AccessAbilities Expo, Dubai Police is showcasing assistive technology designed to help officers communicate with People of Determination. Cultural Dialogue: The UAE-Austria forum in Vienna is exploring youth, religion and digital ethics, while Greece has proposed an international network—including the UAE—to use AI in protecting underwater heritage. Art for Children: Abu Dhabi Festival will stage the Middle East’s first outdoor Children’s Biennale at Umm Al Emarat Park.

Wildlife: Forty-three rehabilitated sea turtles, including endangered green turtles and critically endangered hawksbills, have been returned to the sea in Abu Dhabi after months of care. Arts & Culture: Abu Dhabi has unveiled plans for a new cultural district ahead of its first Frieze art fair, while the emirate’s first outdoor Children’s Biennale is set for Umm Al Emarat Park. Dubai Culture’s Reading Box initiative is also returning, and Ajman will host its first celebration of Emirati music. Inclusion: Dubai’s AccessAbilities Expo is showcasing assistive technology, including AI glasses and bionic limbs, alongside rehabilitation and accessibility solutions. Health: During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a Cleveland Clinic specialist urges women to stay alert to warning signs, keep up with screening and support prevention through regular exercise, a healthy weight and limiting alcohol.

Abu Dhabi’s Music Calendar: Shah Rukh Khan has announced UNIFYD, a one-day festival featuring Arijit Singh, Sonu Nigam, Karan Aujla and more at Yas Island on March 20, 2027. Arts for Young Audiences: Abu Dhabi Festival has revealed the programme for the Middle East’s first outdoor Children’s Biennale at Umm Al Emarat Park. Public Art: Artists and locations have been announced for the second Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial. Access and Inclusion: Dubai’s AccessAbilities Expo has opened, bringing nearly 250 exhibitors from around 50 countries to showcase assistive technology and rehabilitation services. Reading and Heritage: Dubai Culture’s Reading Box initiative returns, while the Liwa International Festival is set to bring new attractions and entertainment to Al Dhafra from December 11 to January 2.

Children’s Art: Abu Dhabi’s first outdoor Children’s Biennale brings interactive works by UAE artists and Indonesian artist Eko Nugroho to Umm Al Emarat Park from November 6 to December 6, with workshops and school tours. Public Art: Abu Dhabi has unveiled artists and locations for its second Public Art Biennial, while a new LED exterior at the planned Sphere venue on Yas Island is set to showcase Emirati art alongside entertainment when it opens in 2029. Music and Heritage: Ajman will host its first celebration of Emirati music, featuring Al Watan Choir and honouring the nation’s musical traditions. Books and Festivals: Sharjah International Book Fair will welcome 2,673 publishers and exhibitors from 124 countries, while Liwa International Festival returns to Al Dhafra from December 11 to January 2. Creative Economy: Dubai ranked first globally for new foreign investment projects in cultural and creative industries in 2025.

Public Art: Abu Dhabi’s second Public Art Biennial opens in Al Ain on October 23, then Abu Dhabi on November 15, with 21 artists exploring home, memory and community through installations across both cities. It runs until February 15, 2027. Emirati Music: Ajman will host its first celebration of Emirati music, with Al Watan Choir performing songs rooted in the nation’s heritage and collective memory. Desert Heritage: Liwa International Festival returns to Al Dhafra from December 11 to January 2, combining motorsports, heritage experiences and family entertainment. Books and Ideas: Sharjah International Book Fair will bring 2,673 publishers and exhibitors from 124 countries to the emirate, alongside 1,500 events. Wildlife: Abu Dhabi has launched a new response network to strengthen rescue and protection for injured or stranded animals.

Community: Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid launched the seventh Arab Hope Makers search, inviting nominations for volunteers and nonprofits improving lives across the region. Education: UAE schools reopen Monday after the October break. Najah 2026 opens in Abu Dhabi, then expands to Al Ain for the first time, bringing more than 100 universities together with students and families. Residency: The UAE’s 10-year Golden Residence is available not only to property investors but also to talent including teachers, nurses and e-sports professionals. Wildlife: Abu Dhabi launched a network to coordinate rescue and rehabilitation for injured or stranded animals, and released rehabilitated turtles off Saadiyat Island. Books & Arts: Sharjah International Book Fair will host 2,673 publishers and exhibitors from 124 countries, with 1,500 events. Abu Dhabi has also announced a new cultural district ahead of its first Frieze fair.

Community & Heritage: More than 15,000 people gathered at Expo City Dubai for UAE Loves Iraq, where Iraqi music, food and landmark-inspired displays brought generations together. UAE Getaways: Khorfakkan Beach is pitching a local escape, with mountain drives, coastal scenery and water activities. Live Music: Shah Rukh Khan has announced UNIFYD, an Abu Dhabi festival featuring Arijit Singh, Karan Aujla and Sonu Nigam in March 2027. Books & Arts: Sharjah International Book Fair will host 2,673 publishers and exhibitors from 124 countries, alongside 1,500 events. Abu Dhabi has also announced a new cultural district ahead of its first Frieze fair. Family Life: UAE specialists are reporting a rise in children’s issues linked to excessive screen time, renewing calls for healthier digital habits. Creative Economy: Dubai ranked first globally for new foreign investment projects in cultural and creative industries in 2025.