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DATA FOR A BETTER FUTURE
UAE’s National Committee on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) discussed national efforts to achieve objectives of the Sustainable Development agenda 2030, outlining the third phase of the national data plan, mechanisms to enhance integration across sectors to ensure sustainability goals, and reviewed UAE’s progress indicators in implementing development goals.
This took place during a committee meeting chaired by His Excellency Abdulla Nasser Lootah, Assistant Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Competitiveness and Experience Exchange, Chair of the National Committee for Sustainable Development Goals. Also present were Her Excellency Maria Hanif Al Qassim, Assistant Undersecretary for Policies and Economic Studies at the Ministry of Economy; Her Excellency Eng. Alia Abdul Rahim Al Harmoudi, Assistant Undersecretary for the Sustainable Communities Sector at the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE); His Excellency Dr. Hussain Abdul Rahman Al Rand, Assistant Undersecretary for the Public Health Sector at the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP); and Her Excellency Hanan Mansour Ahli, Managing Director of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre (FCSC).
Abdulla Lootah emphasised that the UAE continues its approach in contributing to global dialogue to define sustainable development priorities far beyond the 2030 phase, based on its belief in ensuring a sustainable future for humanity and unifying efforts to achieve a qualitative leap in sustainable development.
He stated that the UAE represents a leading global model in adopting and translating sustainable development goals into tangible reality through a proactive vision that combines national ambition and global responsibility. The Committee supports this approach by focusing on the importance of unifying efforts and ensuring alignment of strategies with development needs and strategic goals, intensifying efforts to achieve national priorities, enhancing future sustainability foresight, and ensuring alignment of national strategies across sectors with global trends.
Global Goals Achievement Updates
The UAE’s National Committee on SDGs reviewed the progress and stages of achieving sustainable development goals at the national level. Committee members emphasised the importance of enhancing data and improving its quality through integrated systems to automate reporting processes on goal achievement, focusing on adhering to internationally approved standards and methodologies, and strengthening the UAE’s approach in sharing insights and experience exchange that positively impact sustainable development futures at community and global levels.
Committee members discussed their team efforts and mechanisms for observing global goal achievement and periodic review with working teams to monitor progress levels, internationally approved standards and methodologies implementation, and linking improvement plans with targeted timelines to ensure a qualitative leap in sustainable development data abundance according to the highest standards of accuracy, transparency, and efficiency.
Future Directions
The General Secretariat of the UAE’s National Committee on SDGs reviewed the highlights of the XDGs 2045 Global Survey, conducted during the “SDGs in Action” Forum at the World Governments Summit 2025.
The survey witnessed broad participation from over 50 countries worldwide, highlighting the urgent need to adopt a comprehensive approach in shaping the future outlook, enhancing international cooperation to forge effective partnerships, and unifying efforts in tackling challenges and exploring future opportunities.
Strategic Priorities Beyond 2030
The Committee discussed the UAE’s contributions in sharing visions and driving sustainable development nationally and globally, inspired by the country’s proactive initiative drawn from the legacy of the United Nation’s Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and Sustainable Development Goals 2030, launching the “XDGs 2045” concept in an initiative to foresee the future beyond the 2030 agenda. This initiative included three high-level ministerial meetings, bringing together leaders and government officials at global and national levels in dialogues reaffirming their commitment to shaping long-term strategies for a flexible, comprehensive, and sustainable future towards 2045.
The Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre (FCSC) continues its strategic efforts to support to support the UAE government’s data ecosystem and implement data governance mechanisms across federal entities in the UAE, enhancing transparency and efficiency in government data management. In this context, the Centre organized a specialized session titled “Government Best Practices in Data Governance ,” with the participation of several leading federal entities in data management. This session is part of the “Data Index” initiatives launched by the UAE government last year under the Data and Digital Government pillar within the “Ada’a” Government Performance Systemaligns with global best practices in statistics and data management. Its aim is to enhance government performance efficiency and mature data in federal entities.
The session witnessed active participation from over 100 data officials representing 35 federal entities. During the session, various federal entities such as Central Bank of the UAE; Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP); as well as Ministry of Human Resources & Emiratisation (MOHRE), presented their pioneering experiences in data governance and management. This included highlighting data policies and alignment mechanisms with national and international standards, ultimately contributing to greater efficiency in data management and more effective support for decision-makers. The session served as a platform for exchanging experiences and enhancing national capabilities in adopting advanced models in statistics and data, aligning with the UAE’s aspirations in digital transformation, and supporting a culture of continuous development and innovation in data management to strengthen institutional integration and empower data officials to play leading roles in shaping the future of government data and statistics.
His Excellency Mohammed Hassan, Executive Director of the Statistics and Data Sciences Sector at FCSC, emphasized the significance of the session as a milestone in the development efforts of the national “Data Index,” providing an opportunity to review achievements of federal entities, discuss key challenges, and anticipate future trends to activate the role of data and statistics in enhancing evidence-based policy-making to serve the public good.
He added, “The ‘Data Index’ reflects the UAE government’s commitment to establish principles of governance and management of government data within advanced regulatory and scientific frameworks, enhancing the country’s position as a global hub in the digital field. The ‘Data Index’ is a key driver in supporting a smart and integrated digital government environment, enabling federal entities to employ data as an effective strategic tool to enhance decision-making and achieve the ambitious developmental agenda of the country.”
Omran Al Shamsi, Director of Labour Market Information at MOHRE, stated that the fundamentals of data governance represent the primary pillar towards enabling digital transformation and decision-making. He added that the ministry has adopted a comprehensive framework for data governance based on international standards like the DAMA framework, including clear policies and standards to define, ensure accuracy, quality, and confidentiality of data, as well as distributing roles and responsibilities among data owners, service providers, and end-users to ensure accountability and transparency at every stage of the data lifecycle.
Al Shamsi highlighted that classifying data according to its sensitivity level – whether it is open, confidential, sensitive, or prohibited – is a crucial part of protecting information and ensuring responsible use. He clarified that the ministry relies on a clear matrix of data access permissions. This approach reflects the ministry’s commitment to enhancing a data culture and providing an institutional environment based on smart governance to improve services and labor market policies in the country.
He also pointed out that “Data Governance” is not merely a technical project but a cultural change that requires institutional commitment at the highest levels. He added that institutions investing seriously in data governance are better equipped to make strategic decisions based on accurate and reliable data. The presentation concluded with practical recommendations to establish a successful data governance framework, including clearly defining data owners and tools for data documentation and quality measurement, and building an institutional culture that enhances the value of data as a strategic asset.
Dr. Alya Harbi, Director of Statistics and Research Center at MOHAP, praised the prominent role played by the FCSC in launching projects aimed at enhancing the quality of statistical data in line with future requirements. This includes strengthening data governance as a fundamental element in shaping government policies and supporting sustainable development paths. She emphasized the importance of data in shaping future visions and measuring performance indicators, contributing to improving the quality of healthcare services and enhancing health planning strategies at the national level.
She highlighted the importance of data integration among various relevant entities and the necessity of establishing effective partnerships in data analysis, which plays a fundamental role in supporting accurate decision-making that contributes to achieving comprehensive development and ensuring fair distribution of resources and services.
In conclusion, she expressed sincere thanks and appreciation for organizing this valuable workshop and for providing the opportunity for the Ministry of Health and Prevention to present its pioneering experience in this field.
The session is part of a series of specialized events and coordination meetings held during the current quarter, with the participation of 264 data management officials from 35 federal entities. Its goal is to provide timely and reliable data and statistics for decision-makers, contributing to supporting the Unified UAE Numbers and achieving effective data-based planning and national statistics.
It is worth mentioning that the “Data Index” was launched last year concurrently with the launch of the “Unified UAE Numbers” project as one of the national projects aimed at advancing and strengthening the country’s statistical system and supporting the country’s development journey across various economic, demographic, social, and environmental sectors, solidifying the UAE’s global leadership in employing data to support decision-making.
The Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre (FCSC) in the UAE government has launched a new strategic partnership with the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The partnership was formalized during the UAE delegation’s participation in the Saudi Statistics Forum 2025 which aims to strengthen institutional collaboration in the field of statistics and data. The key goals include sharing best practices, enhancing the quality of national data in accordance with international standards, and supporting decision-makers with reliable data that informs policy and benefits society.
The MoU was signed in the presence of His Excellency Nahyan Bin Saif Bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, UAE Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Signing parties included Her Excellency Hanan Mansour Ahli, Managing Director of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre, and His Excellency Dr. Fahad bin Abdullah Al-Dosari, President of the General Authority for Statistics in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Nahyan bin Saif: Cooperation Reflects Deep Relations and Emphasizes Support for Sustainable Development
His Excellency Nahyan Bin Saif Bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, affirmed that the partnership reflects deep fraternal relations between the UAE and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It underscores the commitment of both countries to strengthen cooperation in vital areas contributing to sustainable development and future vision based on innovation and data.
Hanan Ahli: Strengthening Regional Leadership in Data-Driven Development
Her Excellency Hanan Mansour Ahli stated, “The cooperation represents a significant step towards strengthening regional leadership in data-driven development, reflecting our joint commitment to promoting statistical excellence, enhancing innovation, and building a future where development relies on the power of data to serve our nations, region, and the world.”
Fahad Abdullah Al-Dosari: Supporting Experience Exchange in Statistical Work Areas
His Excellency Dr. Fahad bin Abdullah Al-Dosari, President of the General Authority for Statistics in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, emphasized the importance of strengthening bilateral cooperation between statistical institutions in areas of knowledge exchange, experiences and success stories.
Dr. Fahad Al-Dosari also stated “We are pleased to sign this MoU, which will strengthen the exchange of knowledge, expertise, and best practices between our two institutions, advancing the region’s statistical capabilities and cooperation.”
International Statistical Methodologies and Practices Session
As part of the UAE delegation’s participation in the accompanying events of the Saudi Statistics Forum, H.E. Hanan Ahli participated in a panel discussion titled “International Statistical Methodologies and Practices,” highlighting the importance of statistical governance mechanisms amid the rapid transformations in the world of data.
Hanan Ahli highlighted the need for innovative governance models that ensure coordination between government and private entities, protect data integrity, and guarantee its quality and accessibility. She emphasized the UAE’s proactive approach, reflected in initiatives such as the “Data Index,” which empowers government entities to lead in data quality and governance. This approach enhances the UAE’s leadership role in the international statistical community, particularly as a member of the UN Statistical Commission for the 2025–2028 term.
H.E. further showcased the model of statistical governance in the UAE under its federal system, represented by the ‘Data Index’ initiative, one of the most important national initiatives aimed at enhancing the quality of government data. The initiative focuses on empowering government entities rather than merely fulfilling their role as a primary data source for statistical entities. This underscores the importance of governance as a fundamental element in the success of coordination frameworks between various federal and local entities, supporting the provision of timely and accurate data directly benefiting decision-makers.
Knowledge Visit
The UAE delegation concluded its visit with a tour of the General Authority of Statistics (GASTAT) headquarters, where they explored best practices in statistical governance, data analytics, and the integration of advanced technologies such as AI and machine learning in policymaking. The visit showed Saudi Arabia’s progress in digital transformation.
The UAE has maintained its leading regional position among countries with “very high human development” advancing 11 places globally, according to the 2025 Human Development Index (HDI) report issued by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), compared to the 2021/2022 report.
The UAE now ranks 15th globally out of 193 countries covered in the report, surpassing countries such as Canada, the United States, Japan, Australia, and Korea. It is the only Arab country among the top 20 nations, reaffirming its commitment to a development vision that prioritizes people’s wellbeing at the heart of its national policies. This is achieved through an integrated approach that supports key sectors such as health, education, and standard of living, establishing the UAE as a global model for sustainability, human capital development, and inclusive progress, building a future based on opportunities and empowerment.
According to this year’s report titled “A matter of choice: People and Possibilities in the Age of AI,” the UAE achieved a score of 0.94. Based on the report’s four main indicators, the UAE’s life expectancy at birth reached 82.9 years, aligning with the third Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) “good health and well-being”. The expected years of schooling reached 15.6 years, with an average of 13 years of schooling, reflecting the fourth SDG goal “quality education”. The Gross National Income (GNI) per capita amounted to $71,142, reflecting to the eighth SDG goal “decent work and economic growth”.
AbdulRahman Al Owais: People’s Health at the Core of UAE’s Development Priorities
His Excellency AbdulRahman bin Mohamed Al Owais, Minister of Health and Prevention, stated that people’s health is at the core of the UAE’s development priorities. He emphasized, “The UAE’s leading position in the 2025 Human Development Index reflects our steadfast commitment to providing an integrated healthcare system, adopting medical innovation, enhancing prevention, and ensuring access to high-quality healthcare services, achieving the UAE’s vision of building a healthy and sustainable future for generations.”
Sarah Al Amiri: Investing in Education is Investing in Humanity
For her part, Her Excellency Sarah bint Yousef Al Amiri, Minister of Education, said, “Investing in education is investing in humanity a principle the UAE has upheld since its founding, through flexible educational policies that address global challenges and prepare future generations to compete and innovate. The UAE does not adopt a conventional educational system but invests in thoughtful Emirati minds armed with knowledge, qualified to lead a flourishing future in the era of AI and cognitive transformation.”
Hanan Ahli: Human-Centric Plans and Policies
Her Excellency Hanan Mansour Ahli, Managing Director of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre (FCSC), stated that the UAE has established a unique development model that places people at the center of all plans and policies, relying on healthcare, education, and innovation as pillars for a prosperous and comprehensive future. She pointed out that progress in the HDI report affirms that the UAE’s development policies are proactive and data-driven, prioritizing not only economic growth but also wellbeing, enhancing its position as a global leader in sustainable development.
UAE Ranks Third Globally for Net AI Talent Migration The HDI Report highlighted AI tools and their growing impact on human development pathways, amidst slowing development progress and widening gaps between high and low-development countries. It emphasized the need for adaptive, human-focused policies that place health, education, and standard of living at the core of national strategies, recognizing human capital as the key to navigating the digital transformation era.
The report further showed that the UAE recorded the third highest global net migration rate through the LinkedIn platform for AI skills in 2023, underscoring its ability to attract world-class expertise and its status as a global hub for future skills. It further clarified that high-income countries like the UAE achieve net gains in specialized skills, while low to medium-income countries face losses, indicating the dominance of advanced economies in attracting and retaining expertise. It calls for building a collaborative economy where humans and AI work in tandem, focusing on empowering individuals with knowledge and technology to enhance their capabilities and skills, ensuring comprehensive, sustainable development and a prosperous future for all.
The HDI Report has been published annually by the UNDP since 1990, the Human Development Index is a composite measure that evaluates the quality of life in societies worldwide through three main dimensions: health, education, and standard of living, including four indicators: life expectancy at birth, expected years of schooling, mean years of schooling, and Gross National Income per capita.
The UAE has achieved a new qualitative milestone that reflects its global leadership in adopting the principles of digital government and open data. The country ranked 10th globally in the 2024/2025 Open Data Inventory (ODIN) report, issued by Open Data Watch (ODW), surpassing major countries such as Sweden, the Netherlands, Germany, Canada, and the United States. The report, released biennially by ODIN, evaluates the comprehensiveness and openness of data published on the national statistical offices’ websites in 197 countries, covering vital sectors including economic, financial, social, and environmental statistics, making it one of the leading specialized global reports.
The report ranks countries based on 64 indicators that measure the availability and accessibility of statistical data shared through official open data platforms. It assesses whether countries meet international standards of openness, including criteria such as machine-readability without restrictions, availability of descriptive metadata, and broad geographic coverage.
The UAE ranked first globally in several indicators, including Money and Banking, Food Security and Nutrition, and the Price Index and Inflation, in which the country advanced 45 places. The UAE also ranked second globally in International Trade and Education Outcomes, with a notable leap of 54 places, in addition to strong performance in indicators related to environment, health, and gender statistics.
Majed Al Mesmar: UAE Enhances its Position as a Global Knowledge-Based Decision-Making Platform
His Excellency Engineer Majed Sultan Al Mesmar, Director General of the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA), said: “This achievement reaffirms the UAE’s commitment to an ambitious futuristic vision integrating digital policies with comprehensive development efforts, by establishing a robust digital infrastructure based on open data as a tool for community empowerment, enhancing global competitiveness, and fostering an innovation culture built on data.” He added that the UAE strengthens its position as a global platform for knowledge-based decision-making and a leader in comprehensive digital transformation regionally and globally. This achievement also reflects the empowering role played by TDRA in strengthening the country’s digital readiness through developing legislative and regulatory frameworks, supporting national policies on open data, and providing digital infrastructure to ensure integration among government entities, solidifying the UAE position as a global reference in adopting concepts of digital government, transparency, and data-driven innovation.
Hanan Ahli: UAE’s Progress Embodies a Leading Model for the Government of the Future
Her Excellency Hanan Mansour Ahli, Managing Director of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre (FCSC), affirmed that the UAE’s progress in the ODIN Report 2024/2025 embodies a pioneering model for the government of the future, based on transparency, openness, and utilizing data as a strategic tool to drive comprehensive development.
She stated, “This achievement represents the foresighted vision of the UAE and continuous investment in building a flexible and advanced statistical system based on digital readiness, contributing to strengthening the country’s global competitiveness, supporting key directions in enhancing integration between government entities, contributing to future planning in various vital sectors, policy development, enhancing community participation, and solidifying the UAE’s position as a leading model in adopting concepts of digital government and open data.”
Open Data
Open data refers to publicly accessible data and statistics that can be used, reused, distributed, and shared freely by individuals and organizations. Governments worldwide provide such data online without restrictions to access. In the current report, the UAE scored 92 points for openness and 74 points in data coverage, resulting in an overall score of 84 points in the report.
Over the past fifty years, the UAE has laid a solid foundation for building a diversified and sustainable economy, and after the discovery of oil in the fifties of the last century, the UAE succeeded in radically changing the structure of economic life in the country, while continuing its efforts to move to a knowledge-based economy by encouraging innovation and strengthening the regulatory framework for key economic sectors.
In the soon-to-be-released UAE Figures 2020 report, the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre reveals the most prominent facts and figures that reflect the growth recorded in the country’s economy over 50 years, on the occasion of the celebrations of the fiftieth anniversary of the Union.
The report reveals a significant leap in the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), increasing from AED 58.3 billion in 1975 to over AED 1.3 trillion in 2020. Additionally, the contribution of non-oil sectors to the GDP grew from 43% in 1975 to 83% in 2020.
The report also indicates a rise in the total volume of the country’s foreign trade, growing from AED 11.5 billion in 1975 to AED 1.4 trillion in 2020. The value of foreign direct investments into the country increased by 82%, reaching approximately AED 73 billion in 2020 compared to the AED 40 billion recorded in 2005.
The value of foreign direct investments exported from the country also surged from AED 14 billion in 2005 to AED 69.5 billion in 2020.
Furthermore, the report highlights an increase in government spending in the country, rising from AED 1.258 billion in 1975 to AED 442.386 billion in 2019.
The tourism sector in the country has witnessed an exceptional success story, making it one of the world’s leading destinations in terms of growth and the ability to attract tourists from various corners of the globe. It has also firmly established its position as one of the main contributors to the national economy.
The number of hotel facilities surged from 64 in 1978, housing 5,379 rooms, to 1,089 hotel facilities with 180,257 rooms in 2020.
The operational capacity of the country’s hotel facilities has evolved over the years. In 1979, approximately 392,000 guests stayed with a total of 1.02 million nights. In 2020, this number grew to over 14.88 million guests with a total of 54.3 million nights.
In 2020, total hotel revenues exceeded AED 16.6 billion, marking a significant increase compared to 2005 when revenues were AED 1.5 billion.
Electricity and Water:
The UAE has been diligent in keeping pace with the increasing demand for electricity and water in the country, considering the population growth and economic and commercial activities. Sustainable solutions for renewable energy have been adopted.
The capacity of electricity-generating stations in the UAE has grown from 482 megawatts in 1975 to approximately 35,000 megawatts in 2020. The electricity generated witnessed a substantial increase, exceeding 137,000 gigawatt-hours in 2020, compared to 1,467 gigawatt-hours in 1975.
Furthermore, the amount of electricity generated from renewable energy stations experienced significant growth in 2020 compared to 2009, rising from 6 gigawatt-hours in 2009 to 5,476 gigawatt-hours in 2020. The total installed capacity of renewable energy stations was 10 megawatts in 2009, and it leaped to 2,289 megawatts in 2020, a remarkable increase of 22,698 percent.
The report also highlights an increase in the amount of desalinated water produced in 2020, reaching 2 billion cubic meters, a substantial increase compared to 1983 when it was 256 million cubic meters. The number of wastewater treatment plants in the country reached 125 in 2020, a 145% increase from 2011 when there were only 51 plants. Additionally, the quantity of treated wastewater in 2020 reached 769 million cubic meters, a 55% increase compared to 2011 when it was 498 million cubic meters.
The United Arab Emirates has achieved a significant global accomplishment by entering the top 10, securing the 10th position globally in the overall ranking as one of the best countries in the world in the "World Digital Competitiveness Ranking 2021," published by the world Competitiveness Center (WCC) affiliated with the International Institute for Management Development (IMD).
In doing so, the UAE topped the MENA Region, not only ranking first regionally the UAE surpassed leading countries globally such as Finland, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, China, Germany, France, Japan, and Belgium. This achievement is notable during a period marked by major global challenges that significantly impacted economies worldwide. The UAE managed to make significant strides in various indicators in the report.
New achievement
Minister of Cabinet Affairs and Chairman of the UAE’s Competitiveness Council, Mohammed Abdullah Al Garqawi, said that the UAE’s entry into the Top 10 globally in the World Digital Competitiveness Report 2021, is one of the most important global competitiveness reports, and represents a new achievement in its journey towards establishing the UAE’s position as one of the best countries World.
He added, "The country has demonstrated its exceptional ability to overcome challenges and turn them into inspiring opportunities, thanks to the vision of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the State, and the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President and Prime Minister of the State, and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, which enhances the country’s ability to achieve positive results in various competitiveness reports and indicators, making it one of the most competitive countries in the world."
His Excellency continued, "This achievement adds to the UAE’s track record in the global competitiveness journey, keeping pace with the significant developments and the new methodology of government work witnessed by the country. It reflects the government’s aspirations for the future, embodying its strategic goals aimed at achieving further progress and prosperity on all fronts. It also reinforces the UAE’s leadership in global competitiveness indicators."
Digital Transformation
H.E. Omar Sultan AlOlama, the Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications, stated that the government of the UAE supports innovative projects that enhance the concept of innovation and reinforces strategic partnerships and digital initiatives in both the public and private sectors.
He affirmed that the new achievement of the UAE reaching the 10th position globally in the report among the best countries in this field is a result of the leadership’s vision that prioritizes a knowledge-based economy and embraces smart solutions and innovative digital initiatives among its current priorities and future plans.
He added that the UAE government adopts a policy of digital transformation that enhances the efficiency of smart platforms and contributes to the successful implementation of projects in the fields of digital economy and artificial intelligence, which positively impacts both the government and society.
Ready For The Future
In the same vein, Minister of State for Advanced Sciences, Sarah AlAmiri affirmed that the government of the UAE embraces advanced technology and Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies as a fundamental axis in its future-oriented directions. This reflects the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai, to develop an integrated technological infrastructure based on innovation and digitization, supporting the state’s efforts in preparing for the next fifty years.
Her Excellency praised the progress achieved by the UAE in the "Global Digital Competitiveness Report," securing the fifth position globally in the Technology Framework Index. She highlighted the qualitative leap in the Digital and Technological Skills Index, with the country advancing seven positions to rank 10th globally.
Vision 2021
H.E. Eng. Majed Sultan Al Mesmar The Director General of the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority, stated that the significance of the results achieved by the UAE in the "World Digital Competitiveness Report 2021" lies in the timing, aligning with the accomplishment of the ‘UAE Vision 2021’ to be among the best countries globally.
He added, ‘This result comes to confirm that, with the guidance of our leadership, we have achieved digital transformation goals in successive stages until now. This encourages us and strengthens our determination to move towards new heights and achievements in the next fifty years, God willing.
Work Style
H.E. Dr. Mohamed Hamad Al Kuwaiti, Head of Cybersecurity of the UAE Government, that the digital transformation witnessed by the country touches all aspects of life in the state’s society. It has become a culture and a working style in the UAE government. With the technological progress in our world today, digital security has become an integral part of the national security of advanced countries. Innovation, adaptability, and the ability to renew play a crucial role in protecting digital societies and proactively addressing any cyber threats.
Al Kuwaiti affirmed that the UAE is moving steadily according to the ‘Plan 50,’ aiming to be among the best countries in the world in various sectors through insightful vision, an effective government, and the capability to flexibly and efficiently deal with future changes. This enhances its position regionally and internationally within the most competitive knowledge-based economies globally.
H.E. Hanan Ahli, acting director of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre, expressed her sincere thanks to the strategic partners in the federal and local government entities, national statistical centers, and private sector partners.
She emphasized that the UAE government attaches great importance to the role of effective partnerships between federal and local government entities and the private sector to support the competitiveness file.
Global Leadership In 4 Indicators
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has secured the top spot globally in four indicators in the report: "Cybersecurity," "Net Inflow of International Students," "Resilience of Residence Laws," and "Wireless Broadband Subscriptions."
Additionally, the country has claimed the second position worldwide in indicators such as "Availability of Global Expertise," "Presence of International Experts," and "Globalization Trends."
Furthermore, it has achieved the third position globally in indicators such as "City Management," "Companies’ Use of Big Data and Analytical Tools," and "Availability of Opportunities and Absence of Threats."
Significant Leaps by the UAE
The United Arab Emirates has made significant advancements in various indicators, making a leap of 31 positions in one go in the "Internet Users" index, securing the fourth position globally. Furthermore, it achieved a remarkable advancement of 31 positions in the "Percentage of Population with Higher Education" index, attaining the 16th position worldwide.
In addition, the country experienced a leap of 22 positions in the "Subscribers to Mobile Broadband Service" index, ranking 12th globally. It also made a notable jump of nine positions in the "Percentage of Women University Graduates with Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees," securing the 10th position globally. These achievements are complemented by numerous other indicators in which the UAE has demonstrated substantial progress.
The country has consistently ranked within the top 10 globally in 25 out of the 52 indicators covered in the report.
The ‘Global Digital Competitiveness Report’ assesses the performance of 64 countries worldwide across three main pillars: Knowledge, Technology, and Future Readiness. The three main pillars are further divided into nine sub-pillars, encompassing a total of 52 indicators. The report methodology relies on 20 opinion survey indicators and 32 statistical data indicators.
UAE Leads in the Arab Region
In this year’s report, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) emerged as the top-ranking Arab country, securing the first position in all main pillars. It achieved the 5th position globally in the ‘Technology’ pillar, the 12th position globally in the ‘Future Readiness’ pillar, and experienced a significant leap of 13 positions in the ‘Knowledge’ pillar, landing at the 18th position globally.
In the nine sub-pillars of the report, the UAE claimed the top spot globally in the ‘Talent’ pillar, advancing four positions from the previous year. It secured the 2nd position globally in the ‘Regulatory Framework’ pillar and the 5th position globally in the ‘Technological Framework’ pillar.
Furthermore, the UAE made a substantial leap of 19 positions in the ‘Education and Training’ pillar, achieving the 25th position globally. It also secured the 10th position globally in two sub-pillars: ‘Workforce Flexibility’ and ‘Information Technology Integration.’
The UAE surpassed countries such as Finland, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, China, Germany, France in the overall rankings.
Dubai (Union) – The UAE has achieved a new global achievement by being among the best countries in the world in government digital transformation, to be the only Arab country in this group, in the Government Digital Maturity Report "GovTech" issued by the World Bank for the year 2021, which measures the levels of maturity of digital transformation and reliance on modern technology in conducting work in the government sector in 198 countries around the world. The report divided the countries included into 4 groups, the first of which was Group A, which included "the global leaders in government technology maturity", which included 43 countries, including the UAE, Canada, the United States, Switzerland, Britain, France, and Japan, which were ranked "very high" in the maturity of technology adopted in government digital transformation processes, as countries in this category had innovative solutions and distinguished practices. Group B includes countries that have achieved a "high" rank in government technology maturity and have large investments and good practices in government technology in most of the report’s themes, including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Russia, China, Jordan, Tunisia, Uzbekistan, Ireland. The third group (c) included countries whose governments have improvements in government digital transformation technology and have active efforts in digital government practices, while the fourth group (d) came to express countries with minimal focus on digital government initiatives. UAE Centennial Eng. Majid Sultan Al Mesmar, Director General of TDRA said: "The GovTech report from the World Bank represents a new milestone in the UAE’s march towards a sustainable digital future that includes both government and society, in implementation of the UAE Centennial Vision 2071, which was defined by our wise leadership. These include a forward-looking government, a diversified knowledge economy, and a more cohesive society." He added: "This achievement represents a natural reflection of the spirit of solidarity and one team that prevailed throughout the digital transformation process at the national level, including the federal and local governments as well as the private sector, and we do not forget the role of society through its active participation through digital platforms in the development of services and policies followed, which ultimately aim to achieve the highest levels of happiness for all in the UAE." Ambitious goals For her part, Hanan Mansour Ahli, Acting Director of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Center, said: "The UAE is proceeding thanks to the vision and directives of the wise leadership for the next fifty years with ambitious goals that foresee the future, and consolidate the culture of excellence in being at the forefront of the countries of the world at various levels, and the digital, technical and scientific excellence of the UAE is a key pillar in its development and economic process." Ahli affirmed: "The UAE’s solutions within Group A, which is ranked the highest globally in the GovTech Digital Maturity Report issued by the World Bank, are new evidence of its leadership regionally and globally in the field of government digital transformation, in addition to its rich balance in global competitiveness reports, as the country ranked first globally in 121 competitive indicators, and first in the Arab world in 496 indicators, despite the rapid transformations in the global competitiveness map and the successive developments in the global economy, which makes The UAE experience is an icon from which to inspire the countries of the region and the world in the march of global competitiveness." Discriminate global The World Bank report based its classification on four main axes: "main government systems", "public service delivery", "community participation", and "government enablers for technological transformation", and pointed to the UAE’s global excellence in all axes, under which 48 indicators fall, the UAE achieved the full mark in 31 of them, which qualified it to be in group (A) the highest in the world, which includes countries that obtained a score ranging from 0.75 to 1.00 "full mark" in The maturity of government technologies, the only Arab country to join Group A, and participated with Israel alone in the top of the Middle East and North Africa countries within the same group, achieving a score of 0.80 on the index, knowing that the global average did not exceed 0.52, while countries in other groups obtained a score of 0.74 or less. A pioneering experience The report devoted a special space to reviewing the UAE’s experience in digital transformation, and pointed out that it is one of the most mature countries in the world in the field of digital government services provided to society, and touched on its adoption of the Fourth Industrial Revolution Strategy and the Artificial Intelligence Strategy. The National Innovation Strategy and the UAE Blockchain Strategy 2021. The report pointed out that the digital transformation strategy in the country aims to adopt advanced technologies and use them to convert 50% of government transactions at the federal level to the "blockchain" platform, and expected that government procedures in Dubai will become completely paperless by the end of 2021, which leads to the dispensation of more than one billion papers that were used in government transactions every year. The report concluded by presenting the UAE’s experience by detailing the results obtained in the four axes, and the indicators in which it excelled to exceed global averages, as the country won 0.60 in the "main government systems", noting that the global average is 0.48. The UAE achieved 0.92 in the "Providing Public Services" axis, while the global average did not exceed 0.61, and it won 0.88 in the "community participation" axis, while the global average did not exceed 0.46, and the country achieved 0.79 in the axis of "government enablers for technological transformation", while the global average was 0.53. It is worth noting that the World Bank’s GovTech Digital Maturity Report is the most comprehensive measure For digital transformation in the government sector, as it highlights the most important practices for designing digital transformation projects in the world.
The National Committee for Sustainable Development Goals has launched its second report on sustainability initiatives in the UAE’s private sector, titled “Data Sharing Plans between Public and Private Sectors.” This is part of the committee’s efforts to accelerate achievements of Sustainable Development Goals in the UAE by highlighting partnerships between the public and private sectors in statistical data exchange.
The new report, prepared in collaboration between the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre, the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) on SDGs, and Kearney Consulting, was announced during a conference held by the National Committee for Sustainable Development Goals specifically for the report’s release. Dialogue sessions were also conducted during the conference to discuss ways to accelerate the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals in the country through data exchange partnerships between the public and private sectors.
His Excellency Omar Sultan Al Olama, the Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications, stated: “The government of the UAE recognizes the importance of data and its representation as a real asset for future governments, considering it one of the most important tools in developing government services. Therefore, we work under the directives of wise leadership to develop an innovative system for government work based on data and artificial intelligence. This system aims to enhance efficiency levels by harnessing artificial intelligence and data in various vital sectors. It focuses on enhancing integration between the government and private sectors in designing and implementing initiatives and projects aimed at building a better future.”
He further added that the world’s ongoing changes present significant challenges for governments, requiring high efficiency in decision-making and ensuring the continuity of their operations, especially in vital sectors. The government of the UAE has provided a unique model in adapting to these changes through strategic initiatives and government programs, particularly in supporting vital sectors in the country. These sectors have benefited from advanced digital and technological infrastructure, emphasizing the government’s investment in their development and utilization to achieve sustainable development goals and the country’s directions for the next fifty years.
Partnerships
The report provides comprehensive studies focusing on the importance of building partnerships and collaboration between the government and private sectors in the areas of data sharing. It addresses companies’ concerns regarding data sharing and ways to overcome them, emphasizing the importance of respecting privacy in data sharing operations and ensuring complete confidentiality. This involves not disclosing private data and limiting its use to support decision-making and design strategic initiatives that enhance societal well-being. Additionally, the report highlights the significance of supporting national statistical data with insights from the private sector, contributing to the development of initiatives and ideas aimed at improving overall performance to achieve sustainable development goals.
During her speech at the conference, Hanan Mansour Ahli, Acting Director of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Center, representing the General Secretariat of the National Committee for Sustainable Development Goals, welcomed the attendees and thanked all parties that contributed to the report. She emphasized the importance of partnership between the government and private sectors in the field of data exchange.
She stated, “Partnership between the public and private sectors is one of the goals that the National Committee for Sustainable Development Goals is committed to achieving, and the process of exchanging and sharing data is one of the most essential elements of that partnership. Governments can adapt to global changes and launch initiatives and plans based on visions that reflect the requirements of both the public and private sectors. The government of the UAE spares no effort to effectively enhance partnership with the private sector and support the exchange of statistical data within a national framework that overcomes challenges.”
Changes
The report mentions that, in a time marked by numerous and rapid economic, social, and technological changes globally, the importance of partnerships between government and private entities and their joint efforts toward achieving progress and sustainable prosperity for societies become evident. Through successful initiatives and experiences covered in the report, the United Arab Emirates has become a global model in governing the implementation of sustainable development goals and harnessing innovative partnerships in the field of data exchange between the public and private sectors.
Huda Bouhamed, Chief Marketing Officer at Dubai Holding and Deputy Chair of PSAC, commented, “Amid the efforts made by the UAE to achieve sustainable development and economic diversification, commitment to supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals for 2030 remains a government priority. Here, the role of the private sector comes as a pivotal supporter of the government’s efforts to achieve sustainable development goals, with data sharing being a highly important area that can contribute to this. While most available data belongs to the private sector, enhancing collaboration between the public and private sectors is crucial within these efforts. The research paper we revealed today proposes a framework to overcome current obstacles, identifies facilitators of successful data sharing, and offers recommendations to help us move forward in achieving the desired sustainable development goals.”
Data
Rudolph Lohmeyer, Partner and Head of the National Transformation Institute at Kearney, stated, “The government’s interest in the private sector is growing more significantly, and the perception of it has shifted as a key player in achieving sustainable development goals, especially regarding data production. Data has become immensely valuable due to digital transformation and increasing technological advancements, turning data into an invaluable asset. Through collaboration between the public and private sectors in the field of data exchange, the UAE possesses outstanding performance in achieving sustainable development goals, and it can enhance this performance.”
Study
The report includes a study of programs and initiatives supporting sustainability launched by 12 private sector entities within the Advisory Council. These encompass diverse sectors such as renewable energy, real estate development, retail, aviation, land and maritime transport services. They have contributed to supporting the country’s efforts in promoting a culture of sustainability in the private sector and advancing towards achieving the 2030 Global Sustainability Agenda.
The report concludes with recommendations to enhance and expand data sharing between the public and private sectors to achieve further progress and accomplishments related to sustainable development goals. The full version of the report can be accessed by visiting the website of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre at fcsc.gov.ae.
H.E. Reem Bint Ibrahim Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation and President of the National Committee for Sustainable Development Goals, said that since its inception, the UAE has placed sustainable development at the heart of its plans and strategies to ensure prosperity and development, noting the importance of cooperation between all parties, integrating the government and private sectors and strengthening partnership with the community to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
This came during her Excellency’s participation in the meeting of the National Committee for Sustainable Development Goals held under the umbrella of the Sustainability Wing of Expo 2020 Dubai in the presence of H.E. Hanan Ahli, Acting Director of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre (FCSC), and government officials from the members of the National Committee for SDGs. During which the most important initiatives and steps taken by the members of the Committee were reviewed to ensure that the achievement of the goals in the UAE is strengthened and future efforts and plans are discussed in this regard.
Initiatives
H.E. Reem Al Hashimy said that the UAE government under the guidance of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai, is keen to be at the forefront of active contributors globally in launching initiatives to assist human communities in achieving sustainable development goals. This is based on His Highness’s vision that shaping the future is not merely impromptu decisions, but rather strategic plans based on knowledge and clear objectives grounded in analytical data and accurate realistic information.
She said: “What distinguishes our meeting today is that we meet in this unique place “Expo 2020” in the heart of the UAE sustainability wing at Expo 2020 to link the vision of the past to the efforts of the present and the aspirations of the future and start the “decade of work” in conjunction with the 5th anniversary of the establishment of the National Committee on Sustainable Development Goals.”
Her Excellency stated, “The participating government entities in the committee contribute to enhancing the country’s efforts in supporting sustainable development goals by highlighting the most prominent efforts and initiatives implemented both locally and internationally. The global partnerships adopted by the United Arab Emirates to assist countries and communities worldwide, through the facilitations and logistical support services provided by the country during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the medical and food aid extended to various countries, all align with sustainable development goals such as eradicating hunger, combating poverty, providing good health, and other objectives.”
She commended the efforts of the committee members and their keenness to achieve the sustainable development goals in the country at the local, regional and international levels, stressing that the Sustainable Development Goals before they be a global approach and a UN agenda are essentially a humanitarian task to improve societies and promote human life, which is the basis of development projects in societies, pointing out that the Sustainable Development Goals represent a large and important part of Expo 2020, where this international event represents an unprecedented opportunity for the world to ensure a sustainable future and bring about change. Positive and looking forward to new prospects in the field of sustainability in the UAE and the world.
She praised the efforts of the committee members and their commitment to achieving sustainable development goals in the country at the local, regional, and international levels. She affirmed that sustainable development goals, before being a global approach and a UN agenda, are fundamentally a humanitarian mission to uplift societies and enhance human life, which is the foundation of development projects in communities. She pointed out that sustainable development goals are a significant and integral part of Expo 2020, where this international event represents an unprecedented opportunity for the world to ensure a sustainable future, create positive change, and envision new horizons in the field of sustainability at the level of the United Arab Emirates and the world.
Her Excellency highlighted that the UAE has made significant strides in the realm of sustainable development. International institutions closely monitoring the country’s performance in various competitive indicators associated with sustainable development have recognized its achievements. The UAE excelled globally in 97 competitive indicators related to sustainable development goals and secured a position among the top ten in 268 other indicators. In its pursuit of regional and international leadership, the government has been actively working to attain the Sustainable Development Goals. Additionally, there is a concerted effort to foster partnerships between the government and private sectors to make sustainable development a top community priority in the UAE.
She stated, “Integrated data provided by government and private entities play a crucial role in enhancing the UAE’s efforts to achieve sustainable development goals across various vital sectors. This includes the development of innovative initiatives and making informed decisions based on accurate data.” She emphasized the importance of leveraging the global platform of Expo 2020 and the international events and activities it hosts. This platform serves as an opportunity to showcase the successful experience of the UAE in achieving these goals to the world.
Competitive
The participants in the meeting reviewed the performance of the UAE in major global competitiveness reports, which include indicators related to sustainable development goals. Committee members also discussed the importance of providing open data through official platforms, emphasizing its contribution to achieving sustainable development goals and enhancing the country’s performance in the Open Data Inventory report. They also delved into mechanisms for identifying priority statistical indicators related to sustainable development goals and their alignment with the timeline for measuring indicators of sustainable development goals.
SDGs Talk with HE Maitha Al Shamsi, Minister of State
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