The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has solidified its position as a global hub for foreign direct investment (FDI), drawing a record $45.6 billion in 2024, which constituted 55.6% of total FDI inflows into the Middle East. This milestone was highlighted during the joint 8th Sharjah Investment Forum (SIF) and 29th World Investment Conference (WIC), held under the theme “Transforming Our World: Investing for a Resilient and Sustainable Future.” The event, inaugurated by Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, and Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of Shurooq, brought together over 10,000 participants from 142 countries. The forum underscored the UAE’s leadership in shaping global investment trends, particularly in sustainability, digital transformation, and economic resilience. Sheikha Bodour emphasized Sharjah’s decade-long commitment to growth that empowers society and strengthens institutions, while Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade, highlighted the UAE’s blueprint for attracting and deploying investment through collaborative thinking. The forum, organized by the Sharjah FDI Office in partnership with the World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (WAIPA) and the UAE Ministry of Investment, focused on key shifts in geopolitics, climate, and technology. Global leaders, including Wamkele Mene, Secretary General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and Dr. Mohamed El-Erian, Chief Economic Adviser at Allianz, praised the UAE’s strategic positioning and its ability to navigate global economic shifts. Sharjah’s economic performance was also spotlighted, with its non-oil economy contributing over 98% of its GDP and FDI inflows reaching $1.5 billion in the first half of 2025. As global investment priorities increasingly align with sustainability and resilience, the UAE’s proactive approach continues to position it as a key architect of the future investment landscape.