Brief
Dubai ruler says nearly Dh2.1 trillion of projects are under way
The announcement was made at the Mohammed bin Rashid Leadership Forum in Dubai, attended by senior officials and business leaders.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, told participants at the Mohammed bin Rashid Leadership Forum that the emirate is currently executing projects worth almost Dh2.1 trillion.
What happened
The forum opened on 14 October 2026 at the Dubai World Trade Centre, gathering about 1,000 government and private‑sector leaders, academics and experts. During his opening remarks, Sheikh Mohammed said Dubai is "building a city within a city" and highlighted the scale of ongoing work across housing, transportation, aviation, infrastructure and economic development.
What the reports add
The Khaleej Times article notes that the project pipeline includes a Dh1.1 trillion allocation for real‑estate development through 2030 and Dh128 billion earmarked for aviation projects, specifically the Al Maktoum International Airport expansion. It also mentions that the portfolio covers water, power, sewerage and landscaping initiatives designed to match the emirate’s rapid population and business growth.
What was said
Sheikh Mohammed said, "Dubai is building a city within a city. Today we have Dh2.1 trillion in active projects underway, with more to be announced in the coming phase. Our momentum is continuous and our achievements are ongoing." He added, "Today, we build the infrastructure of tomorrow by expanding Dubai’s capacity to accommodate the growth of its population, businesses and economic sectors." The article also records his concluding remarks: "Cities that aspire for progress act before others. We want leaders who can read shifting dynamics, make swift decisions, and transform ideas into projects and projects into tangible outcomes that people can feel in their lives."
How it came about
The forum, named after the ruler, is an annual gathering focused on management and leadership. It was attended by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, and Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE Olympic Committee, among others. The announcement follows a series of strategic initiatives highlighted in recent Felo News coverage, including Dubai’s gold‑trade strategy and its ranking among the world’s most livable cities.
Key facts
- Dubai has nearly Dh2.1 trillion worth of active projects (khaleejtimes.com)
- The project portfolio includes Dh1.1 trillion for real‑estate through 2030 (khaleejtimes.com)
- Dh128 billion is allocated to aviation projects, notably Al Maktoum International Airport (khaleejtimes.com)
- The Mohammed bin Rashid Leadership Forum opened on 14 Oct 2026 with about 1,000 attendees (khaleejtimes.com)
Sources
- [1] khaleejtimes.com — originally reported as “'City within a city': Dubai Ruler says nearly Dh2. 1 trillion in active projects underway”
