Music Nation Launches in UAE: A Major Step Forward for Music Rights in the Middle East

Sound Diplomacy is proud to celebrate the official launch of Music Nation, the United Arab Emirates’ first collective management organisation, formally approved by the Ministry of Economy.

This milestone marks a transformative moment for the region’s music industry. For the first time, songwriters, performers, and copyright holders in the UAE will be fairly and transparently compensated for the use of their work across public performance, mechanical, and neighbouring rights.

Led by Chairwoman Rasha Khalifa Al Mubarak, Music Nation has been years in the making. Backed by international partners Broadcast Music Inc. (BMI) and SoundExchange, it is now positioned to become a cornerstone of the UAE’s creative economy — supporting the rights of local and international creators alike.

Sound Diplomacy is proud to have played a supporting role in the development of this landmark initiative. It reflects our shared commitment to building stronger, fairer and more sustainable music ecosystems — not only in the Middle East, but globally.

We extend our congratulations to the entire Music Nation team, and we look forward to seeing the positive impact this will have on artists, audiences, and the region’s wider cultural sector.

Read more about Music Nation

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