UAE honours national teams for resilience across security, aviation and logistics

The UAE has recognized several national teams for their contributions to crisis management, cybersecurity, aviation, and logistics during the UAE Government Annual Meetings 2026 in Abu Dhabi.

Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, presented the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Medal to the teams in recognition of their preparedness, coordination, and ability to maintain essential services during challenging circumstances.

The ceremony was held in the presence of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, and Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, alongside senior officials and dignitaries.

The recognized teams included the UAE Armed Forces, the National Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA), aviation teams in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, the national cybersecurity team, and the national logistics network team.

Sheikh Saif highlighted the importance of proactive planning, continuous training, and coordinated national efforts to protect communities and maintain stability.

He emphasized that ensuring public safety and uninterrupted daily activities remain central priorities for government institutions.

“The excellence of Union teams is measured by their swift response, agility and efficiency in addressing various challenges. It is also measured by the impact they create and the trust they inspire across the community,” he said.

The UAE Armed Forces were recognized for their response to regional security challenges, including the interception of 3,617 aerial threats, comprising 705 ballistic missiles, 37 cruise missiles, and 2,875 drones.

The recognition also highlighted coordination between military and security authorities in protecting critical infrastructure and strategic locations.

Meanwhile, NCEMA’s National Operations Centre was honored for coordinating emergency responses and supporting decision-making across federal and local government entities and the private sector.

The authority’s unified crisis management approach helped maintain essential services, strengthen communication, and improve national preparedness.

In aviation, teams in Abu Dhabi and Dubai were recognized for maintaining airport operations despite regional airspace restrictions.

Between late February and late April 2026, Dubai’s airports handled nearly six million passengers, more than 32,000 flights, and 213,000 tonnes of cargo.

Zayed International Airport also maintained significant passenger traffic, serving more than 93,000 daily passengers across approximately 500 flights by late June.

Etihad Airways’ crisis and emergency response team was recognized for coordinating with authorities and industry partners to maintain flight operations. The airline transported 2.1 million passengers in September 2026, a 10% increase, across a network of 119 destinations.

Cybersecurity was another major focus of the recognition.

The national cybersecurity team was honored for strengthening the country’s digital defences and maintaining the operations of critical sectors amid growing cyber threats.

Working alongside the UAE Cyber Security Council and other authorities, the team reportedly neutralized an average of 700,000 cyberattacks daily through continuous monitoring, analysis, and coordinated response measures.

The national logistics network team was also recognized for maintaining the availability of essential goods, including food, pharmaceuticals, and strategic commodities, amid disruptions to global supply chains.

The team supported alternative trade routes through ports and land networks, particularly through Fujairah and Khorfakkan on the UAE’s east coast.

According to figures presented during the recognition, container handling across East Coast ports increased by 316% to 1.8 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) during the period beginning in February 2026.

The recognition highlights the UAE’s focus on strengthening institutional coordination, maintaining critical infrastructure, and improving national preparedness for future challenges.