Organisations in the UAE face a landscape where critical decisions must be made faster with less certainty, according to International SOS’ Risk Outlook 2026 report released this week.
The annual report, now in its 10th edition, reveals that 74 per cent of organisations globally say the window for making critical decisions is shrinking, while 57 per cent report that new risks are emerging faster than they can manage.
Only 35 per cent of leaders feel confident in their ability to mobilise teams quickly.
Security risks to rise in UAE but budgets lag behind, International SOS warns
The findings show that 66 per cent of organisations report rising uncertainty driven by geopolitical instability, cyber threats, and converging health and natural hazard risks.
“As we enter 2026, organisations face a landscape defined not only by complexity but by the accelerating pace of change. Geopolitical shifts, natural hazards, rising costs, and polarisation strain operations and impact employees. Misinformation and disinformation erode trust. Mental health concerns intensify as human capital becomes ever more critical. Risks no longer arrive in isolation; they converge, evolve, and challenge even the most robust plans. In this environment, preparedness is essential – the foundation for confidence, continuity, and growth,” Arnaud Vaissié, Co-Founder, Chairman and CEO of International SOS said in a statement.
In the UAE, 65 per cent of respondents expect security risks to increase over the next 12 months, yet just 34 per cent anticipate any rise in security budgets, highlighting a mismatch between risk exposure and readiness.
“Here in the Middle East, we witness that security incidents and developments don’t happen in isolation, they overlap, cascade and compound. For organisations operating in the UAE, preparedness must keep up with the growing pace of challenges and changes happening in the broader Middle East region,” Gulnaz Ukassova, Director, Information and Analysis, Middle East, International SOS added.
Mental health remains low priority for UAE business leaders despite rising cases
More than one billion people globally live with mental health conditions, yet only 17 per cent of surveyed leaders rank mental health among their top three risk concerns.
International SOS case data shows that anxiety and stress are the most common mental health conditions requiring assistance, often complicating business travel and workforce productivity.
Private medical insurance premiums in the Middle East have increased by an estimated 12-20 per cent in recent years, driven by higher utilisation, treatments and provider costs. This trend is expected to continue into 2026.
Despite growing investment in artificial intelligence, only 6 per cent of organisations consider AI a tool for managing risk. This comes as experts estimate that around 50 per cent of online content is now AI generated or machine assisted, complicating risk verification during crises.
“For UAE‑based organisations operating across borders, the ability to verify information quickly and accurately is becoming mission‑critical. Technology alone cannot be the solution for that. Use of AI must be paired with human-led verification and analysis,” Ukassova added.
The report concludes that organisations positioned for 2026 are those that anticipate risks early, integrate health and security planning, test and update response plans continuously and anchor resilience at board level with ownership and investment.
International SOS supports organisations with four decades of expertise in medical and security risk management as the UAE continues to attract talent, host events and expand into new markets.
