UAE
Gulfood anchors UAE food economy, global agri-trade hub
Day three of Gulfood 2026 marked a decisive inflection point in the evolution of the world’s most influential food and beverage platform, reinforcing the UAE’s role as a global engine for agri-trade while signalling Gulfood’s transition into a system-shaping ecosystem spanning agriculture, technology, manufacturing, brands and future food solutions.
Building on the success of its dual-venue expansion, Gulfood advanced its next phase with the launch of Gulfood360 Africa/Kenya, extending the platform into a new continent and firmly positioning agri-tech and innovation at the centre of the farm-to-fork-to-future continuum.
Emphasising Gulfood’s role as a catalyst for ecosystem-level collaboration, Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) and the UAE Food Cluster signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding, strengthening cooperation across the food and agri-ecosystem. Saleh Lootah, Chairman of UAE Food Cluster, said, “The cluster strategy has brought ecosystem players together, enabling the UAE to position itself as a smart global food hub capable of addressing today’s challenges.” The UAE Food Cluster also granted Gulfood with a prestigious award, for its contribution towards building a strong UAE food ecosystem and connection of food clusters on a global level.
At the commercial core of day three was the Big Deal Hub, reinforcing Gulfood’s position as a deal-making engine connecting buyers, suppliers and growth markets at scale.
Reflecting its role as a global launchpad, Gulfood 2026 hosted a wave of new-to-market product launches, investments and brand debuts.
As the exhibition progressed, focus sharpened on the farm-to-fork-to-future continuum, bringing together agri-tech pioneers, food-tech start-ups and sustainable innovators to translate breakthroughs in precision aquaculture, functional nutrition and plant-based protein into scalable solutions.
Reinforcing this spirit of creativity and product excellence, the Gulfood Innovation Awards recognised standout achievements and winners across 11 categories.
WAM
UAE
Iranian drone targets ‘du’ telecom building in Fujairah
The competent authorities in Fujairah announced that they are responding to an incident resulting from the targeting of a du telecommunications building in the emirate by a drone launched from Iran.
The Fujairah Media Office stated that no injuries have been reported.
One injured in Abu Dhabi after air defence interception
Authorities in Abu Dhabi are managing an incident at Rinn Systems Company in Musaffah—ICAD City after shrapnel fell following a successful air defence interception. A Ghanaian national sustained moderate injuries in the incident.
Officials urged the public to rely solely on official sources for updates and to avoid spreading rumors or unverified information.
UAE responds to a series of Iranian threats today
UAE residents received a series of mobile alerts from the Ministry of Interior on Monday confirming that the situation across the country is currently safe following multiple missile and drone threats. Authorities thanked residents for their cooperation and reassured the public that normal activities can now resume.
Authorities urged residents to remain vigilant, follow safety guidance, and monitor official channels for further updates as the situation develops.
GN
UAE
UAE Remains strong one month after Iran’s attacks
One month after the launch of Iran’s aggressive missile and drone attacks against the United Arab Emirates and several Gulf states—beginning on February 28, 2026—targeting both civilian and military infrastructure in the UAE as part of a broader regional escalation that included strikes on ports and critical facilities, the contours of a complex landscape are becoming increasingly clear.
This landscape reflects an unprecedented level of military escalation, met by a highly efficient Emirati response and a firm political and diplomatic stance underscoring that the UAE’s security and sovereignty are non-negotiable.
Key features of the Iranian escalation over the past month
Scale of attacks: Data indicates that the UAE has been the primary target of the Iranian assaults since February 28, with 2,156 attacks out of a total of 4,391 recorded across Gulf states, involving missiles and unmanned aerial systems.
Nature of targets: The strikes focused on vital facilities, ports, oil installations, and civilian areas, causing material damage and operationaldisruptions.
The UAE’s Position: The UAE has affirmed before international forums that these acts constitute a flagrant violation of international law and have deliberately targeted civilian infrastructure, thereby undermining energy security and global supply chains.
Diplomatically, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs, has engaged in consultations with international counterparts to address the repercussions of this escalation.
In a statement delivered by Jamal Al Musharakh, Permanent Representative of the UAE to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva, before the UN Human Rights Council, the UAE stressed that the ongoing Iranian attacks—exceeding 2,000 ballistic and cruise missiles as well as drones—have targeted vital civilian facilities, airports, residential areas, and other civilian sites in blatant violation of national sovereignty and international humanitarian law.
The UAE emphasized that what is unfolding is not merely a military escalation, but a systematic and reckless pattern of behavior that undermines the foundations of the international order and threatens regional and global stability—particularly through the targeting of infrastructure directly linked to civilian safety, energy security, the global economy, and supply chains.
Unprecedented escalation: Figures reveal the scale
Over the past month, the UAE has faced one of the largest waves of aerial threats in its modern history. Official statistics highlight the scale of escalation:
- 378 ballistic missiles
- 15 cruise missiles
- 1,835 drones
Despite the intensity, air defense systems successfully intercepted the vast majority of these threats, reflecting the country’s advanced military and technological readiness.
However, the attacks were not without impact. Falling debris and a limited number of projectiles that penetrated defenses caused material damage in various locations.
Multinational casualties: The human toll
The human cost reveals the harshest dimension of these attacks. The total number of casualties stands at:
- 11 fatalities
- 171 injured individuals from 29 nationalities
The victims include:
- Two members of the UAE Armed Forces who were killed in the line of duty
- A Moroccan civilian contractor working with the armed forces
- Eight civilians of Pakistani, Nepali, Bangladeshi, Palestinian, and Indian nationalities
These figures reflect the UAE’s diverse societal fabric and underscore the broad humanitarian impact of the attacks on civilians from multiple backgrounds.
Civilian and strategic targets
Official sources confirmed that the attacks targeted—or attempted to target—a range of critical sites, including:
- Airports and aviation infrastructure
- Energy and fuel facilities
- Residential areas
- Commercial zones
Several incidents were reported in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, including fires caused by drones near key facilities, as well as damage resulting from falling debris.
This pattern of targeting suggests an attempt to inflict both economic and psychological impact by striking at the core of daily life and essential infrastructure.
Effective response: High state of readiness
Despite the intensity of the attacks, the UAE demonstrated a high level of crisis management and threat response through:
- Advanced air defense systems that intercepted most incoming threats
- Integrated coordination between military and security agencies
- Rapid response by emergency and civil defense teams
- Near-continuity of critical operations, particularly in the aviation sector
This preparedness significantly minimized losses and ensured the stability of daily life.
A firm Emirati stance: Rejection and accountability
Politically and diplomatically, the UAE’s position has been clear and consistent from the outset, emphasizing that these attacks constitute:
- A blatant act of aggression and a violation of international law
- A direct threat to regional and global security
- Acts of terrorism targeting civilians and infrastructure
The UAE at the United Nations: Active diplomacy
At the international level, the UAE has intensified efforts to present its case to the global community by:
- Providing official briefings on the nature and consequences of the attacks
- Calling for the activation of international accountability mechanisms
- Stressing the need to protect civilians and critical infrastructure
This approach reflects a strategy that combines operational firmness with legal and diplomatic engagement.
Abu Dhabi’s message: Resilience and continuity
After a month of escalation, Abu Dhabi’s message is unequivocal:
- National security is a red line
- Aggression will not break the nation’s resolve
- The path of development will continue uninterrupted
Despite the severity of the attacks and their deliberate nature, the UAE affirms that these challenges will not undermine its stability, but rather reinforce its commitment to its principles and its capacity to confront crises with resilience and determination.
GN
COMMUNITY
Abu Dhabi debris kills 2, injures 3
Abu Dhabi authorities have responded to an incident in Sweihan Street, where falling debris from a successfully intercepted ballistic missile caused casualties and property damage.
The incident resulted in the deaths of two unidentified individuals, injuries to three others, and damage to several vehicles. Officials have confirmed that emergency services were promptly on the scene.
Authorities have urged the public to rely solely on official sources for information and to avoid spreading rumours or unverified reports.
UAE air defences intercept Iranian attacks
Thursday morning, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) confirmed that its air defence systems successfully intercepted incoming missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) launched from Iran. Authorities added that the situation remains under close monitoring and urged the public to rely only on official government sources for updates.
On 25 March 2026, UAE air defence systems engaged nine UAVs launched from Iran, part of ongoing regional hostilities. Since the onset of what the MOD described as blatant Iranian aggression, UAE air defences have successfully intercepted 357 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles and 1,815 UAVs targeting the country.
Casualties and impact
The latest incident in Abu Dhabi adds to the toll, bringing total deaths to 11, with 2 killed and 3 injured today from falling debris after a successfully intercepted missile. These sustained attacks have previously resulted in casualties among both military personnel and civilians.
Three members of the UAE armed forces have been martyred in the line of duty, while six foreign nationals — including Pakistani, Nepali, Bangladeshi and Palestinian nationals — were killed in separate incidents linked to missile and UAV debris.
A total of 166 people were injured, with cases ranging from minor to severe across multiple nationalities.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely and reiterate that residents should follow official updates and avoid sharing unverified information.
GN
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