Brief
UAE minister credits Sheikh Mohammed with shaping Dubai’s modern identity
At the 2026 Leadership Forum, Al Gergawi said Sheikh Mohammed built a city, a culture and a model for the region.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Speaking at the Mohammed bin Rashid Leadership Forum 2026, UAE Minister of Cabinet Affairs Mohammed Abdullah Al Gergawi said Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum transformed Dubai into a global city and reshaped regional aspirations.
What happened
Al Gergawi addressed the gathering on 13 October 2026, reflecting on six decades of the ruler’s leadership. He highlighted the creation of an airport, a tower and a diversified economy that now spans trade, aviation, tourism, finance and technology. He said the Ruler’s focus on human capital turned ambition into tangible projects, turning Dubai into a destination for professionals and companies.
What the reports add
The Khaleej Times article notes that Al Gergawi described the ruler’s approach as placing people at the centre of development, arguing that “human capital, knowledge, and hard work could turn aspirations into reality.” He recalled the Ruler’s field visits, where officials were asked, “Are people satisfied?” and urged teams to act quickly, citing decisions that could be made in a minute instead of a month.
What was said
Al Gergawi told the audience, “It’s difficult to summarise what Sheikh Mohammed has accomplished over six decades in an airport, a tower or a project. He built a city, and with it a society, a culture and a human being. He built a model for the region.” He added that the ruler taught officials to pursue ambitious goals without hesitation, asking why something couldn’t be done.
How it came about
The remarks build on recent Felo News coverage of Sheikh Mohammed’s personal communications, including his tribute to his mother (sheikh-mohammed-mother-tribute) and his AI‑focused letter to youth (sheikh-mohammed-ai-letter). Together they illustrate a broader narrative of the ruler’s influence on Dubai’s development and societal values.
Key facts
- Minister Mohammed Abdullah Al Gergawi praised Sheikh Mohammed’s six‑decade impact on Dubai at the 2026 Leadership Forum. (khaleejtimes.com)
- Al Gergawi said Sheikh Mohammed built a city, a society, a culture and a model for the region. (khaleejtimes.com)
- The ruler’s focus on human capital, knowledge and hard work is credited with diversifying Dubai’s economy. (khaleejtimes.com)
- Al Gergawi highlighted the Ruler’s question ‘Are people satisfied?’ as a measure of government performance. (khaleejtimes.com)
Sources
- [1] khaleejtimes.com — originally reported as “Sheikh Mohammed built more than a city; he built confidence in a generation, minister says”
