Maktoum bin Mohammed: The general budget of the Union for the fiscal year 2026 represents a qualitative leap in the process of government work

Dubai, 27 October / WAM / His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, affirmed that “the Union’s general budget for the fiscal year 2026 represents a qualitative leap in the process of government work, as it reflects the firm confidence in the strength of the national economy and its ability to continue achieving achievements in various fields. The noticeable increase in the volume of expenditures reflects the directives of the wise leadership on the importance of investing in sectors.” Vitality that directly touches people’s lives and supports sustainable development.
This came after the Cabinet, headed by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, “may God protect him,” approved the federal budget plan for the fiscal year 2026, with a total of 92.4 billion dirhams, compared to 71.5 billion dirhams in the 2025 budget, which represents a qualitative leap of approximately 29%, as this federal budget is the largest compared to the budgets of previous fiscal years, which It reflects the strength of the national economy and the commitment to supporting the country’s sustainable development process.
His Highness added: The distribution of expenses among the sectors of education, health, infrastructure and community services confirms the state’s commitment to establishing a balanced development model that guarantees economic and social stability. This budget is not just numbers, but rather a reflection of the “We Are the Emirates 2031” vision, which seeks to build a diversified and flexible economy that keeps pace with global transformations and invests in people as the basic pillar of development.
His Highness continued, “This jump in the federal budget confirms that the UAE continues to move steadily towards the future, enhancing its financial readiness and devoting its efforts to building a more prosperous and cohesive society. The new budget consolidates the country’s position as a global destination for sustainable development, and at the same time guarantees long-term financial stability.”

The adoption of the general budget of the Union for the fiscal year 2026 comes within the budget plan for the years “2022-2026”, which amounted to 347 billion dirhams, in light of the developments and procedures taken by the Ministry of Finance in accordance with the provisions of Federal Decree Law No. (26) of 2019 regarding public finances, its amendments, and the relevant decisions and recommendations.
The budget was distributed over a number of main sectors, including the social development and pensions sector, the government affairs sector, the economic and infrastructure sector, and the financial investments sector, in addition to other federal expenditures, in keeping with the objectives of the “We Are the Emirates 2031” vision and enhancing the quality of life for all members of society.
For his part, His Excellency Mohammed bin Hadi Al Husseini, Minister of State for Financial Affairs, said that the adoption of the 2026 budget of this historic size reflects the success of the rational financial policies that the state has pursued over the past years, and its ability to balance the requirements of financial sustainability and meeting increasing development needs.
His Excellency added that the priority in the new budget was to direct resources towards sectors that have a direct impact on the lives of community members, including health, education, infrastructure and social services, which enhances the competitiveness of the UAE and consolidates its position as one of the most stable and growing economies at the regional and global levels.
The draft general budget of the Union for the fiscal year 2026 aims to enable federal agencies to spend their approved budgets and implement their objectives and programs in accordance with strategic plans in order to achieve positive results in all economic, social, environmental, service and competitive aspects of the state.
The Union General Budget Committee held its fourteenth meeting to discuss the draft general budget of the Union for the fiscal year 2026, in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President of the UAE, Deputy Prime Minister, Chief of the Presidential Court, and His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance. The meeting was also attended by His Excellency Mohammed bin Hadi Al Husseini, Minister of State for Financial Affairs, and His Excellency Khalid Mohammed Salem. Belama Al Tamimi, Governor of the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates, in addition to representatives of the Presidential Office and the Ministry of Finance.
During the meeting, the committee reviewed a number of topics related to the draft general budget of the Union for the fiscal year 2026 within the budget plan for the years (2022-2026) in accordance with the coordination conducted by the Ministry of Finance with all federal agencies for the purpose of preparing the general budget of the Union.

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