Economy Ministry grants second music licence for collective management to Music Nation entity
🇦🇪 UAE Takes Another Giant Leap in Empowering Its Creative Sector
The UAE Ministry of Economy, in a major step, granted its second collective music management license to the organization, 'Music Nation'. This momentous event unfolded during a ceremony held at the Ministry's Dubai headquarters.
The newly-awarded license grants Music Nation the authority to handle rights management on behalf of local music creators and performers. This mandate also includes ensuring that music platforms comply nationwide with the licensing terms and conditions.
The ceremony was honored by the presence of Abdullah Ahmed Al Saleh, the Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Economy, along with Dr. Abdulrahman Hassan Al Muaini, the Assistant Under-Secretary for Intellectual Property. The Ministry confirmed that the license was issued in adherence with Federal Decree-Law No. 38 of 2021 concerning copyright and related rights.
This move follows the Ministry's previous award of a collective management license to the Emirates Music Rights Association in April 2025. Al Saleh stated, "We are committed to fostering public-private collaboration to cultivate an enabling environment for talent and innovation. By elevating the creative economy's legislative framework to world-class standards, we aim to expand the private sector's participation in it, in line with the National Strategy for Cultural and Creative Industries 2031."
The Ministry is dedicated to establishing a cutting-edge copyright governance system, employing international best practices to achieve this goal. Al Saleh emphasized that "The collective music management license serves as a catalyst for cultural innovation while safeguarding artists' intellectual property rights."
The granting of the license to Music Nation signifies a significant milestone in the UAE's commitment to stimulating creativity. This initiative presents new possibilities for artists, writers, and producers while reinforcing rights protection and leveraging creative-economy tools. The sector, as a result, stands poised to contribute significantly to national economic growth.
Dr. Abdulrahman Hassan Al Muaini highlighted that the UAE's music industry is experiencing exponential growth, fueled by burgeoning creative enterprises and world-class events. For instance, Dubai boasts 350 live music venues, and the national streaming market generated an impressive US$841.9 million in 2024, with projections indicating a near tripling to $2.3 billion by 2030. To sustain this momentum, the Ministry of Economy prioritizes robust legislative frameworks to further ignite the creative economy and drive artistic innovation.
Embracing international partnerships, Music Nation collaborates with industry giants like Broadcast Music Inc. (BMI) and SoundExchange Inc., bolstering the organization's technical capabilities and fully immersing it in international standards and expertise. As the recipient of this license, Music Nation is proud to boldly commence its journey towards becoming a cornerstone of the UAE's music industry, ultimately empowering the nation's vibrant creative sector.
As an Emirati, Rasha Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairwoman of the Board of Directors for Music Nation, finds it an honor to establish a world-class music rights infrastructure that uplifts local artists to new heights and resonates the UAE's resplendent musical heritage and cultural traditions on a global stage.
- The UAE's commitment to fostering its creative sector extends beyond music, as the Ministry of Economy also emphasizes the importance of technology in business growth.
- To further advance the UAE's creative economy, the Ministry has prioritized the development of a robust legislative framework for technology and innovation, safeguarding intellectual property rights and bolstering private sector participation.
- In the realm of lifestyle, the UAE continues to lead the way in health and wellness, as shown by the exponential growth of its fitness industry, boasting numerous world-class facilities and events.
- The UAE's environmental consciousness is evident through its initiatives, such as the promotion of sustainable travel and renewable energy technology, making it a global leader in eco-tourism and clean energy solutions.
