ME 101 Session Two: The UAE - Paddling Faster Ahead of the Gulf Pack

Throughout history, the Middle East has been at the forefront of global change, engaging with the West through crusades, wars, colonialism, and terrorism. Beyond these familiar narratives lies a region undergoing profound economic transformation, cultural evolution, and facing pressing environmental challenges. This lecture series will examine these key aspects and drivers of change, with an emphasis on how these transformations impact regional stability and present significant economic opportunities, particularly for Singapore’s strategic interests.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has embarked on a series of reforms in order to position itself as an oasis of tolerance and an attractive destination for foreign talent and investors. Notable changes include advocating religious tolerance and a respect for personal faiths. These make up an overhaul of the personal and family laws, which now allow cohabitation between unmarried couples, and dangling citizenships to selected foreigners. Such moves constitute an awareness by the Emirati leadership that it will have to act swiftly to stay ahead of neighbouring competitors such as Saudi Arabia and Qatar if it wishes to become the top talent destination. But social questions persist despite this renewed drive to take the country further forward, particularly debates on national identity.