President Sheikh Mohamed on Wednesday held high-level talks with a number of world leaders at the Brics Summit in Russia, including his first meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.
The UAE leader also took part in discussions in Kazan with Chinese President Xi Jinping; Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India; Abdel Fattah El Sisi, President of Egypt; Cyril Ramaphosa, President of South Africa, and Abiy Ahmed, Prime Minister of Ethiopia.
Talks centred on efforts to advance international co-operation across economy, trade and development. The leaders emphasised the importance of fostering partnerships to drive progress and prosperity.
Earlier, Sheikh Mohamed had set out the UAE's plans to use its membership of the expanded bloc to drive development. This is the first meeting the UAE has attended, after joining the organisation at the start of the year.
“I was pleased to participate in the Brics summit today in Kazan, Russia. The UAE supports multilateral co-operation that fosters peace and development while strengthening collective action to address global challenges,” Sheikh Mohamed wrote on social media.
“Through its membership in Brics, the UAE works resolutely with member states to achieve a more stable and prosperous future for all.”
The 16th Brics summit is taking place until October 24. The event, with the theme Strengthening Multilateralism for Equitable Global Development and Security, brings together the leaders and government of several Brics nations, alongside representatives of invited states, state news agency Wam reported.
Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, said the UAE's participation reflected the country's aim to work with all nations to enhance stability and drive growth on a global scale.
"Our focus is on promoting inclusive and sustainable development, in line with the global community’s shared goals," he said. "In an increasingly interconnected world, partnerships across regions that harness the dynamism and potential, of emerging economies, play a crucial role in advancing the common good.”
Brics is an intergovernmental group of emerging economies comprising Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Iran, Russia, South Africa and the UAE.
Sheikh Mohamed arrived in Russia on Sunday for an official visit which included high-level talks with President Vladimir Putin. Mr Putin, on Monday, hailed the strong relations between Russia and the UAE during talks with Sheikh Mohamed, thanking him for the role the country has played in mediating prisoner of war exchanges with Ukraine.
Sheikh Mohamed said Russia's co-operation was a key factor in ensuring it was a success and reaffirmed the UAE's commitment to carrying out such “humanitarian endeavours”.
“The Emirates is always ready to make any additional efforts for this cause, as well as any effort to help with the settling crises in a way that can benefit all parties and support peace in the world,” Sheikh Mohamed said during talks held at the Kremlin as part of a reception to mark his visit to Russia.
Sheikh Mohamed thanked Russia for its presidency of Brics and “reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to building effective partnerships”, state news agency Wam reported on Monday.
The leaders also reviewed the situation in the Middle East, with Sheikh Mohamed emphasising the urgent need to prevent further escalation of regional conflict and reiterating the call for “just, lasting and comprehensive peace based on the two-state solution”.
Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Putin also attended the opening of the Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Education Centre at Primakov School in Moscow, as the two countries enhance co-operation in the field of education.
The two leaders toured the centre, meeting pupils and staff. A presentation on the centre’s curriculum focused on the Arabic language, as well as history, culture, arts, and science and technology.
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
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Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
Emergency phone numbers in the UAE
Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111
Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre
Emirates airline – 600555555
Etihad Airways – 600555666
Ambulance – 998
Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries
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Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
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Transmission: 8-speed auto
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Price: From Dh650,000
Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha
Starring: Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Shantanu Maheshwari, Jimmy Shergill, Saiee Manjrekar
Director: Neeraj Pandey
Rating: 2.5/5
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Director: Zoya Akhtar
Producer: Excel Entertainment & Tiger Baby
Cast: Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt, Kalki Koechlin, Siddhant Chaturvedi
Rating: 4/5 stars
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Indoor cricket World Cup:
Insportz, Dubai, September 16-23
UAE fixtures:
Men
Saturday, September 16 – 1.45pm, v New Zealand
Sunday, September 17 – 10.30am, v Australia; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Monday, September 18 – 2pm, v England; 7.15pm, v India
Tuesday, September 19 – 12.15pm, v Singapore; 5.30pm, v Sri Lanka
Thursday, September 21 – 2pm v Malaysia
Friday, September 22 – 3.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 3pm, grand final
Women
Saturday, September 16 – 5.15pm, v Australia
Sunday, September 17 – 2pm, v South Africa; 7.15pm, v New Zealand
Monday, September 18 – 5.30pm, v England
Tuesday, September 19 – 10.30am, v New Zealand; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Thursday, September 21 – 12.15pm, v Australia
Friday, September 22 – 1.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 1pm, grand final
Fourth Arab Economic and Social Development Summit
As he spoke, Mr Aboul Gheit repeatedly referred to the need to tackle issues affecting the welfare of people across the region both in terms of preventing conflict and in pushing development.
Lebanon is scheduled to host the fourth Arab Economic and Social Development Summit in January that will see regional leaders gather to tackle the challenges facing the Middle East. The last such summit was held in 2013. Assistant Secretary-General Hossam Zaki told The National that the Beirut Summit “will be an opportunity for Arab leaders to discuss solely economic and social issues, the conference will not focus on political concerns such as Palestine, Syria or Libya". He added that its slogan will be “the individual is at the heart of development”, adding that it will focus on all elements of human capital.
