The United Arab Emirates has been identified as one of the world’s safest destinations in the 2026 global risk rankings issued by SOS International, with the country receiving strong marks for both security and public health.
In its latest assessment, the organisation placed the UAE under the “medium security risk” category, citing the country’s stable environment, dependable emergency and security services, and modern infrastructure that strengthens its ability to respond to evolving risks.
The report also assigned the UAE a “low health risk” rating, pointing to the availability of high-quality healthcare across the country. It noted that residents and visitors have broad access to specialist treatment, emergency medical care, dental services, and reliable prescription medicines.
SOS International said the country’s sanitation systems and safe drinking water contribute to a very low risk of gastrointestinal infections. For travellers seeking medical support, the most common needs involve referrals, language or cultural assistance, and payment coordination, while emergency medical evacuations are rarely required.
The organisation’s interactive global map evaluates countries by examining security and health conditions, along with the capability of local systems to manage and reduce potential risks.
Beyond country rankings, the Risk Outlook Pulse 2026 report found that artificial intelligence is playing an increasingly important role in risk management. Around 60% of respondents identified AI’s greatest strength as its ability to verify and compare information gathered from multiple sources.
At the same time, the report cautioned that AI-generated misinformation and fabricated content are becoming more significant concerns. It added that cybersecurity experts in the UAE have warned that deepfakes and AI-powered disinformation campaigns could weaken public trust and interfere with institutional operations.
Sveti Koniska, the organisation’s Global Security Director, said AI can rapidly collect, analyse, and prioritise information, but stressed that human oversight remains necessary when verifying information that could influence health, safety, or security decisions.
She further mentioned that depending too heavily on AI tools at this point could increase misinformation risks and slow down crucial decision-making instead of enhancing it. She emphasised that the most secure approach involves embedding AI within a human-controlled risk management framework.
