 Dubai ( / duːˈbaɪ / doo @-@ BY ; Arabic : دبي Dubayy , Gulf pronunciation : [ dʊˈbɑj ] ) is the most populous city in the United Arab Emirates ( UAE ) . It is located on the southeast coast of the Persian Gulf and is the capital of the Emirate of Dubai , one of the seven emirates that make up the country . Abu Dhabi and Dubai are the only two emirates to have veto power over critical matters of national importance in the country 's legislature . The city of Dubai is located on the emirate 's northern coastline and heads up the Dubai @-@ Sharjah @-@ Ajman metropolitan area . Dubai is to host World Expo 2020 . 
