Ministry of Economy Licenses Emirati Musicians’ Association to Strengthen UAE’s Creative Economy and Protect Artists’ Rights
In a significant move to boost the UAE’s creative sector, the Ministry of Economy has officially granted the Emirati Musicians’ Association (EMA) a collective music management license. The initiative aims to regulate the collection and distribution of music rights and ensure that content platforms and media channels uphold the intellectual property of creators in the UAE.
The announcement marks a major step in enhancing the competitiveness of the UAE’s creative economy and fostering a sustainable environment for artists in alignment with Federal Decree-Law No. 38 of 2021 on copyright and neighboring rights.
The licensing ceremony, held in Abu Dhabi, was organized in collaboration with the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) and the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (CISAC). The event was attended by high-level officials, including H.E. Abdullah Ahmed Al Saleh, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Economy; H.E. Mubarak Al Nakhi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture; and H.E. Dr. Abdulrahman Hassan Al Muaini, Assistant Undersecretary for the Intellectual Property Sector.
H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy, stated that the UAE has successfully built a modern legislative framework aligned with global standards to protect intellectual property rights. This development reinforces the country's ambition to position the creative economy as a key pillar of "We the UAE 2031" vision.
“The licensing of EMA is a pivotal achievement in our mission to empower the creative economy,” said H.E. Bin Touq. “We are committed to making the UAE a regional and global hub for culture, talent, and creative content.”
The Ministry also announced plans to collaborate with EMA on the development of a digital platform that will facilitate the recording and management of rights, streamline revenue collection and distribution, and increase awareness among musicians and creators.
H.E. Bin Touq highlighted that the initiative would enable the establishment of clear and transparent mechanisms for managing music rights while fostering partnerships between the public and private sectors. The Ministry of Economy will continue to provide legislative and technical support to ensure best practices in collective rights management.
H.E. Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi, Minister of Culture, lauded the move as a foundational milestone that reinforces the UAE’s position as a global leader in intellectual property rights and creative industry support.
“Collective rights management is essential for encouraging innovation, safeguarding creators, and building a balanced ecosystem that meets both artistic and market needs,” he said.
This step aligns with the Cultural and Creative Industries Strategy, which seeks to create a supportive infrastructure for creators, attract investment into the music sector, and drive economic growth through intellectual and cultural innovation.
