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UAE News Today 12th November 2025: Big moves in digital payments, travel, and city life

Dubai Marina skyline at dusk with a tall hotel silhouette, aircraft light trail, and dark overlay bar for headline text.

UAE News Today 12th November 2025 opens with a fast, useful rundown. You will get the top updates in policy and business, travel and city life, plus Abu Dhabi national highlights. Expect straight facts and quick takeaways.

We cover the first government transaction using the digital Dirham, Ciel Dubai Marina opening on 15 November, the Dubai Airshow’s huge catering plan, Abu Dhabi’s underwater cleanup world record, and Etihad’s Medina route.

In five minutes, you will know what changed today, who benefits, and what to do next.

Listen to our audio summary above for key insights from UAE News Today — Top Stories & Updates | 12 November 2025.

Explore Dubai's breathtaking night skyline featuring iconic skyscrapers like the Burj Khalifa. Photo by Marcus Herzberg

UAE News Today 12th November 2025: Policy and business you should know

The UAE pushed ahead on digital finance, licensing ease, and events readiness. Today’s updates matter to business owners, investors, and teams planning to exhibit or attend major gatherings in Dubai.

The headline move is a live test of government-to-government digital payments, settled in under two minutes. That lines up with the country’s drive for secure, fast transactions in public services. On the business setup side, Dubai confirmed a unified licence across key sectors, cutting paperwork and bringing rules under one roof. Finally, the events season steps up, with major venues sharing readiness plans that promise smoother visitor flows.

What changed today and why it matters:

  • Digital money in action: the first state transaction using a CBDC, speeding up future fee payments and refunds.
  • Simpler setup: a unified licence in Dubai that helps cut red tape for firms in defined sectors.
  • Events season green light: stronger on-the-ground planning that improves entry, transport, and services.

For founders, the unified licence can reduce admin work, which saves time and cash at launch. For finance teams, the CBDC milestone points to quicker settlement and better tracking. For exhibitors and visitors, venue readiness should mean fewer bottlenecks and better logistics.

Two things to watch next. First, how fast government services adopt digital Dirham for day-to-day payments. Second, how the unified licence fits with free zone and mainland rules, and any sector-by-sector guidance that follows.

For more on today’s core policy moves, see the official updates on the first government transaction using digital Dirham and the Dubai unified licence across key sectors.

Digital Dirham milestone: first government transaction completed

The Ministry of Finance and Dubai’s Department of Finance completed a live payment using the UAE’s central bank digital currency. Settlement took less than two minutes, which shows the focus on secure, efficient payments for public services. This confirms the system can handle real government transactions, not just pilots. It also opens a path for faster refunds and fee collections. The official note is here: first government transaction using digital Dirham. Expect more use cases across licensing fees, permits, and cross-entity settlements, with attention on privacy controls, predictable speed, and clear citizen-facing options.

Dubai unified licence: simpler rules across key sectors

Dubai announced a new unified licence that brings registration and approvals under one umbrella for qualifying activities. In plain terms, it is a single company licence that replaces multiple permits across certain sectors, which cuts paperwork and speeds up setup. Eligible businesses will see shorter timelines, fewer repeat documents, and clearer compliance steps. For example, a mid-sized e-commerce retailer with a warehousing arm could onboard faster with one licence pathway. Full details are here: Dubai unified licence across key sectors. Next up, firms will look for eligibility criteria, fee schedules, and how the licence interacts with free zones.

Dubai World Trade Centre readiness: green light for the busy events season

Dubai World Trade Centre confirmed it is ready for the peak events period, with capacity plans across entry points, security, and visitor services. Exhibitors can expect faster access and better support, while visitors should benefit from clearer transport guidance and wayfinding. The message is simple, arrive prepared, follow venue advisories, and use public transport where possible. It ties neatly to Dubai’s events-led growth, drawing trade, tech, and tourism into one calendar.

Expo City Dubai update: next steps to attract innovators and families

Expo City shared new steps to grow attractions, workspace options, and education activity on site. The direction is steady, expand what works, add family-friendly programming, and bring in more startups with flexible spaces. It signals a balanced mix of leisure and business so the district stays busy on weekdays and weekends. Visitors should watch for new seasonal activations, while founders can look for calls to join innovation hubs and pilot programmes.

Travel and city life: new hotel opening, Airshow scale, and parking updates

Tourism keeps the pace, with the world’s tallest hotel opening in days. City operations are also in focus. The Dubai Airshow is scaling catering and ground services, and new paid parking zones are coming online in two tech districts.

Ciel Dubai Marina is set to become a headline draw for skyline watchers, food lovers, and business travellers. It lands in a prime location near the beach and Marina promenade. Prices start from a mid-high range that reflects the tower’s height, views, and dining profile. Expect strong demand through winter.

At the Airshow, catering will serve hundreds of thousands of meals in a week. That is a complex job, from menu planning to peak-day flows. Ground services are ramping up too so crews can turn aircraft on time, which benefits exhibitors and guests.

Parking updates matter if you commute in Dubai Science City or Dubai Production City. Check signs and the official app to avoid fines.

Key dates and actions:

  • 15 November: Ciel Dubai Marina opens, plan bookings early.
  • Airshow week: huge visitor footfall, arrive with time to spare.
  • New parking zones: check hours and tariffs before you park.

Ciel Dubai Marina opens 15 November: what travellers can expect

Ciel will open on 15 November as the world’s tallest hotel, with reported starting room rates from about AED 1,310. Guests can expect sweeping skyline and sea views, a choice of dining concepts, and instant access to the Marina’s shops and walkways. The tower’s height and design make it a natural pick for special stays and brand events. It should also help spread visitor traffic along the waterfront into winter. Read the full report: Ciel Dubai Marina to open on 15 November.

Dubai Airshow food operation: 300,000 meals in a week

Emirates Flight Catering plans to produce roughly 300,000 meals during the Airshow week. Peak days will see tens of thousands of portions served across pavilions and chalets, with menus planned around global tastes and quick service. Cold chain, prep zones, and rapid dispatch will be vital to keep quality high at volume. See the behind-the-scenes view: Emirates Flight Catering at Dubai Airshow. Tip for attendees: eat slightly off-peak to avoid queues and keep water handy in outdoor zones.

dnata gears up with 100+ ground support assets

dnata confirmed it will deploy over 100 ground support units for the Airshow, alongside trained teams to meet flight movements across the week. Expect tugs, loaders, and catering trucks on standby so aircraft turnarounds stay tight. This level of readiness helps exhibitors keep schedules and gives visitors more reliable arrival and departure windows. It all supports on-time performance when the site is at its busiest.

New paid parking zones in Dubai Science City and Dubai Production City

Parkin has introduced new paid zones across selected areas in Dubai Science City and Dubai Production City. Standard timings apply on working days, with clear signage on fees and hours. Payment is available by SMS, app, or machine, and inspectors will check bays through the day. To avoid fines, use the official app and read signs as you park, especially around mixed-use buildings and shared car parks.

Abu Dhabi and national highlights to watch today

Today’s national highlights focus on sustainability, connectivity, and public safety. The capital marked an environmental record that puts community effort front and centre. Etihad added a route that supports family travel and pilgrimage. Live traffic guidance can help you plan end-of-day journeys.

These updates fit wider goals. Cleaner coasts reinforce conservation targets. Better air links tighten family networks and trade. Real-time mobility posts help keep roads safe and moving.

New world record: Abu Dhabi’s underwater cleanup

Abu Dhabi volunteers and divers achieved a world record for underwater cleanup, with organisers reporting standout participation and collection volumes across a tight time window. It is a win for marine health, removing debris that harms wildlife and habitats. Residents can support by joining future beach and marina drives or by cutting single-use plastics. See the full story here: Abu Dhabi sets underwater cleanup world record. If you run a small business near the coast, consider a staff volunteer day and switch to refill stations to reduce waste at source.

Etihad adds Abu Dhabi to Medina flights, boosting faith and family travel

Etihad announced direct flights between Abu Dhabi and Medina, adding capacity for Umrah travel and family visits. The schedule is planned to give smooth connections and shorter total journey times. This route will also support inbound tourism to the capital via return legs. Details are on the airline’s site: Etihad launches Abu Dhabi to Medina flights. If you are planning a group trip, check fare classes early and confirm visa requirements well before departure.

Live traffic updates: AD Mobility posts to follow today

Stay informed with these public X updates and adjust your route if needed.

https://x.com/ad_mobility/status/1988330036899049959 [Needs X embed] Expect delays near key corridors during the afternoon peak, with diversions posted on site. Plan alternate exits where advised. View on X.

Morning and midday notes indicate phased lane closures in select areas. Keep some buffer in your schedule if you are crossing the centre.

https://x.com/ad_mobility/status/1988558450159186427 [Needs X embed] Evening window highlights rolling maintenance and short holds around junctions. Follow on-ground signs and drive with care. View on X.

Sources and references

Conclusion

That is the key action from UAE News Today 12th November 2025. The government’s CBDC milestone shows progress in digital finance. Tourism gets a boost with Ciel Dubai Marina, while the Dubai Airshow demonstrates scale and precision. Abu Dhabi’s record cleanup is a community win, and Etihad’s Medina route improves regional access.

Check back tomorrow for more UAE News Today updates. If you found this helpful, share it with a colleague or friend planning a trip or launch in the UAE.

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Dubai Marina skyline at dusk with a tall hotel silhouette, aircraft light trail, and dark overlay bar for headline text.

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