The UAE has emerged as the region’s undisputed tech leadership hub, topping Forbes Middle East’s inaugural Top Tech Leaders 2026 ranking, which highlights the executives shaping the Middle East and North Africa’s digital transformation.
Hasan Haider, Founder and Managing Partner of Plus VC, has been recognised with a Top Venture Capitalist Award 2026 at the Forbes Middle East Top Advisors & Investors Summit, presented by Beltone, in Abu Dhabi, last week.
Mandarin Oriental strengthened its standing in the 2026 Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Awards, earning strong global recognition. The Group received the highest number of newly awarded Five-Star hotels this year, adding four properties: Mandarin Oriental Savoy, Zurich; Mandarin Oriental Qianmen, Beijing; Mandarin Oriental, Barcelona; and Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, Abu Dhabi.
Forbes Middle East has revealed its eighth annual 30 Under 30 list, celebrating the region’s most dynamic young leaders, innovative creators, and catalysts for change. Egyptians topped the list with 19 honourees, followed closely by 18 Saudis and 15 Lebanese.
Forbes Middle East kicked off the third edition of its Sustainability Leaders Summit. The summit brought together global leaders and decision-makers from across the public and private sectors, alongside sustainability experts, investors, and entrepreneurs.
Saudi Arabia has become a major global player in tourism, with the sector now contributing approximately 5% of the kingdom’s GDP and accounting for nearly 5% of total employment, said Ahmed Al-Khateeb, Minister of Tourism of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
