UAE: How the global soft power of Gulf states is breaking down

In the arena of global soft power, there is a Middle Eastern country with only 116th land area and 86th population in the world, which is refreshing the international community's cognition with an eye-catching attitude. The latest ''2025 Global Soft Power Index Report'' released by Brand Finance shows that the UAE has successfully ranked among the top ten global soft power companies with its multi-dimensional synergy, and occupies the tenth place in this authoritative list covering 193 UN member states. Bit. When people turn their attention to this oil-rich country, which ranks 27th in GDP, they can't help but ask: In the context of the weak growth of the overall soft power of the Gulf countries, how did the UAE embark on a unique road to increase its influence?

1-Economic transition

the UAE's economic transformation is a model for developing countries. In the indicator of "ease of doing business and ease of business cooperation", the desert kingdom ranks second in the world, leaving many developed countries behind. Data from the Dubai Chamber of Commerce reveal a concrete manifestation of its business charm: 16623 new Indian member companies, 8179 in Pakistan, 5302 in Egypt, 1473 new Chinese companies ranked ninth in 2024, and membership growth rates in Iraq, Turkey and the United Kingdom reached 37.8 per cent, 25.5 per cent and 14.2 per cent respectively.

This attraction is no accident. While other Gulf states are still dependent on oil bonuses, the UAE launched the UAE Soft Power Strategy in 2017, establishing "business convenience" as its core vision. Today, trade and services are the backbone of the economy at 41.1 per cent, followed by real estate, leasing and business services at 32.9 per cent, and construction and transport and communications at 10.5 per cent and 8.4 per cent respectively. It ranks seventh in the world in the "strong and stable economy" index and fourth in the "future growth potential", which confirms its successful transformation from a single resource-based economy to a diversified modern economic system.

2, International Relations Diplomacy

the report shows that the UAE ranks ninth in the world in both "international relations" and "diplomatic influence". This achievement is inseparable from its active participation in international affairs. When the conflict between Russia and Ukraine became the focus of the international community, the United Arab Emirates did not choose to stand on the side, but shuttled between the two sides of the conflict as a neutral mediator, playing a constructive role in promoting the peace process. This diplomatic vision, which transcends geographical limitations, makes it one of the few rising forces in the region against the backdrop of a slowdown in the overall growth of soft power in the Middle East (Saudi Arabia fell two places to 20 and Qatar fell one place to 22).

The diplomatic wisdom of the UAE is also reflected in the construction of an extensive international cooperation network. From deepening economic and trade exchanges with emerging market countries to developing scientific and technological cooperation with developed countries, its foreign policy has always been centered on the core goal of "enhancing the country's global reputation. This pragmatic and flexible diplomatic strategy has made this small country stand out among the 193 member states of the United Nations and become a voice that cannot be ignored in international affairs.

3. Cultural diversity

as a multicultural hub in the Middle East, the UAE has an inclusive cultural policy that recognizes freedom of religious belief and respects the diversity of cultural traditions. Walking on the streets of Dubai, you can see not only Arab businessmen in traditional robes, but also diverse ethnic groups from all over the world. This cultural tolerance makes it a bridge between Islamic culture and other civilizations.

Innovative initiatives in the field of education are injecting lasting impetus into soft power. The UAE has incorporated higher education investment into the scope of infrastructure construction, allowing multiple education models to coexist in a multi-ethnic context, attracting a large number of international students. The "ripple effect" of this "internationalization of education" strategy not only improves the quality of domestic human capital, but also enhances the international influence through the flow of talents. It is worth noting that the country ranks fourth in the world in the "generosity" indicator. Active humanitarian assistance and charitable investment have allowed the world to see the humanistic care behind oil wealth.

4. Scientific and technological innovation

when the United Arab Emirates Mars rover "Hope" successfully entered the orbit of Mars, the country showed the world its ambitions in the field of science and technology. Ranked ninth in the "Advanced Technology and Innovation" index and tenth in the "Space Exploration Investment" index, it confirms its determination to transform from a resource-dependent economy to an innovation-driven economy. In cutting-edge fields such as artificial intelligence and financial technology, the UAE is attracting global scientific and technological talents and enterprises to settle down through policy support and capital investment.

The vigorous development of the real estate market shows its investment attraction from another dimension. The transaction volume of real estate development projects in the Emirate of Ajman in 2024 exceeded 1.44 billion dirhams, an increase of 67% year-on-year, and the transaction volume reached 3624 transactions, an increase of 44% year-on-year. This growth is not only reflected in the digital level, but also reflects the confidence of international investors in its long-term development.

When hard power indicators such as GDP, population, and land area are not prominent, the UAE has built a unique soft power growth model through precise strategic positioning, diversified economic structure, inclusive cultural policies, and active international participation.

When other countries in the Gulf region are still wandering in the traditional development model, the experience of the UAE may provide important enlightenment: in the era of globalization, the construction of national influence no longer depends on a single resource advantage, but depends on whether it can be formed in multiple dimensions. Synergy effect. From a small state in the desert to the top ten global soft power, the UAE's transformation path provides a model for the development of countries around the world, especially small and medium-sized countries.

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