A coalition of civil society organizations worldwide has announced the launch of the International Initiative to Boycott the UAE (Boycott UAE), a global campaign aimed at exposing what it describes as “financial influence networks and economic monopolies” linked to the United Arab Emirates across a range of sectors, from technology and aviation to energy and real estate.
In its founding statement, the campaign said it will focus on investigating UAE-owned companies and investments, particularly those allegedly tied to unethical practices or activities that raise concerns about transparency and governance. The initiative adopts the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) framework as a pressure tool to promote accountability and advance what it calls “economic justice and the rights of affected communities.”
The campaign’s launch comes at a time when the UAE faces increasing criticism from rights groups and international media regarding the role of its state-owned companies in issues related to high-risk investments and expansion into sensitive sectors such as cybersecurity, ports and energy. It also coincides with growing global debates over the influence of Gulf sovereign wealth funds in international markets, and whether they meet sufficient standards of transparency and accountability.
According to the organizers, the campaign “does not target any state or people,” but seeks to “shed light on economic practices believed to threaten fair competition and grant disproportionate political leverage in certain countries.”
The initiative plans to issue periodic reports on UAE investment activities, alongside media and advocacy campaigns aimed at investors, pension funds, universities and major institutions, urging them to review their ties with companies linked to the UAE.
No official comment has been issued by the UAE government or major Emirati companies regarding the campaign or its allegations.
