January 2026 Emirates Edition
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G
reetings dear readers,
January invites reflection, not as an ending, but as a threshold. It is the moment when ambition recalibrates, ideas mature, and the future feels close enough to touch. In this Emirates Edition of Magnav, we explore that threshold through the people, systems, and philosophies shaping what comes next.
At the heart of this issue is a quiet but powerful question: what does progress look like when it is guided by values rather than velocity? Across these pages, you will encounter leaders who are not merely accelerating change, but thoughtfully stewarding it.
Our cover story on Abdallah Abu Sheikh examines a distinctly Emirati approach to innovation, one rooted in cultural memory, ethical design, and long-term national purpose. His work reminds us that technology, when shaped with care, can deepen belonging rather than dilute identity. This theme echoes throughout the issue, from Prof. Saeed Al Dhaheri’s vision of humane artificial intelligence to Jigar Sagar’s blueprint for frictionless entrepreneurship infrastructure built on trust, resilience, and scale.
Leadership, in its most evolved form, is another defining thread of this edition. Through voices like Ms. Loubna Imenchal and Dr. Harmeek Singh, we explore leadership as an act of service, one that prioritizes people, inclusion, and responsibility alongside performance. Their stories challenge the notion that growth must come at the expense of humanity, proving instead that the two can be mutually reinforcing.
We also turn our lens to the systems shaping daily life and long-term security. From Dubai’s maturation into a globally trusted real estate market, as articulated by Veronica Ortiz, to the UAE’s emergence as a compelling global education destination, this issue highlights how clarity, stability, and foresight are redefining the Emirates’ global standing.
Creativity and culture remain essential pillars of this narrative. Whether through the rise of next-generation media leaders like Mehdi Al Shafiei, the authenticity-driven evolution of content creation with Yousaf Abdul Naseer, or the reimagining of Emirati identity through culinary artistry, these stories reflect a region confident in expressing itself on its own terms.
Taken together, the January 2026 edition is not about prediction, but preparation. It is about the mindsets required to build enduring institutions, ethical technologies, inclusive cultures, and meaningful lives in an era of rapid transformation.
As you move through this issue, we invite you to read not for speed, but for depth. The future is already unfolding here, thoughtfully designed, culturally grounded, and deliberately human.
With gratitude,
Ekaterina Vasina
EDITOR IN CHIEF