Carla DiBello On Why She’s Proud To Call The UAE Her Home
The entrepreneur and celebrity-style insider shares how her intimate connection to the city and the dynamic evolution of the country, makes her a proud citizen of the United Arab Emirates
How we see ourselves is shaped by many factors. One of the deepest roots we can form comes from where we exist in the world. But what transforms a mere location into a place called home is how we immerse ourselves in a way of life. And it doesn’t happen immediately, but rather bit by bit, moment by moment. We see the same faces in our neighbourhood and eventually, we begin to exchange greetings. We discover a new coffee shop and over time, they get to know our order. We develop rituals. Sounds and smells become familiar – nostalgic even. And we go from asking for directions to giving them.
In the last 10 years, how I identify myself has shifted from being an American citizen currently based in Dubai to being a citizen of the world, whose home is Dubai. It’s a subtle shift from the outside looking in, but in my internal world, it’s a monumental change in the way I see myself, opportunities, the world, and even humanity as a whole. I have an intimate connection to Dubai that comes from watching it mirror my own personal growth. Ten years ago, Dubai was the promise of a city like no other. Infrastructure was a major focus, with over 40 per cent of public spending in 2012 going towards roads and transportation, airports, and tourism. Around that time, I was doing my own restructuring, both in my personal life and in my career. Similar to Dubai, I had a vision of what I knew life could be like and I knew what needed to be in place for that to become a reality. And just as the movie says, ‘If you build it, they will come.’
Since 2012 (with exceptions for the pandemic), Dubai has seen a yearly increase in visitors by roughly 8 per cent, going from a city that people have only heard about to a coveted holiday destination. And the visibility and respect for the UAE have increased along with it. But people don’t want to just visit, they also want to stay. As real estate markets around the world have slowed and become unstable, Dubai’s has stayed the course, with property prices continuing to climb and rapid transactions and bidding wars remaining the norm. While there are always multiple reasons for economic growth, as an American who has experienced the challenges of a two-party political system, one thing I have come to appreciate about the UAE is the unified leadership.
There is less chaos, less divisiveness. Decisions are made more quickly, and follow through is swift and organised. There is less disinformation, which not only leads to a more clear style of communication, but more peace of mind on a collective level. It also leads to clearer goals and better overall productivity. But of course, this style of leadership only works when a good leader is in place – which is what the UAE has been fortunate to experience, from Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan to Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed, and now Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
One of the things the pandemic did was reveal the strengths of different leaders and styles of leadership. Compared to the chaos that ensued abroad, the UAE handled the global crisis incredibly well. The UAE’s focus on healthcare and technology made it not only a leading global example for Covid management, but the country’s ability to share detailed information clearly and directly with an entire population put it at the forefront for risk communication – arguably the most important factor when dealing with a large-scale crisis. Masks were mandatory even before WHO recommended it. The UAE was one of the first countries to have efficient testing facilities and techniques in place, complete with advanced tech. Vaccine information was science-based and non-political. I also credit the successful reopening of the UAE’s economy with the country’s rapid and decisive strategy in handling Covid, as well as the country’s inclination to always look to the future.
Stopping to look back at how far we have come is how we find gratitude for where we are today. It reignites our hopes for the future. As I reflect back on the evolution of the UAE I feel a deep appreciation for the place I now call home – and look forward to what’s to come.
From Harper’s Bazaar Arabia’s December 2022 issue.