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DATA FOR A BETTER FUTURE
Competed against Switzerland, Finland, Mexico and other bidding nations
Cape Town, SA, Dubai, UAE – January 18, 2017
The organizing committee of the UN World Data Forum announced today that the UAE is the destination of choice for the event’s second edition in 2018. Currently in session in Cape Town, South Africa and attended by over 1500 global data expert, the four-day knowledge event hosts scientists, government officials, private sector leaders and academics to share knowledge, ideas and best practices on gathering valuable data, and how data can support countries’ drive toward achieving UN Sustainable development goals.
Switzerland, Finland, Mexico, UAE and a number of countries applied to host the event’s second cycle in 2018. National bid teams presented the hosting files to UN officials for assessment and evaluation. The World Data Forum organizing committee decided, after careful assessment, that the UAE will be the hosting country of the event in 2018.
A team from the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority (FCSA) managed UAE’s bid dossier for the forum. The bid file presented UAE’s capability to host and organize large-scale events of all sort of theme and subjects. Some of the key points highlighted in the bid file is the availability of an advanced infrastructure, a wide area of hotels and high-tech conference facilities that can accommodate the largest events and activities, and served by the world’s top talented event management companies and individuals. In addition to the fact that UAE is ranked as one of the safest countries in the world.
"I am delighted and proud of this achievement,” said Her Excellency Reem Bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation and Chairwoman of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority. “I would like to congratulation the UAE leadership and people for this important accomplishment. Selecting the UAE asserts our leadership’s commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals 2030, and hosting the World Data Forum reconfirms the UAE’s growing role within the international community. We aspire that the World Data Forum to become a platform for a global roadmap for excellence in data management and utilization, and to serve the UAE and the entire international community."
"The FCSA team put great efforts into building and presenting a compelling bid file. We were competing against countries that have a long history in hosting highly attended international events. Thankfully, the FCSA team was successful in presenting UAE’s capability to host the World Data Forum, thanks to the nation’s excellent record of accomplishments in hosting similar events and forums that discuss innovation, data and knowledge. We look forward to hosting the World Data Forum in 2018, as it will take us closer to achieving UAE vision 2021 and the sustainable development goals," added Abdulla Lootah, director general of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority.
International Recognition:
Welcoming the announcement of the selection, various international officials congratulated the UAE on winning the hosting bid, and expressed their excitement on choosing the UAE as a location for the second edition of the World Data Forum in 2018.
We at the United Nations Statistics Division are looking forward to working with the colleagues from the United Arab Emirates to organize together an open and inclusive 2nd World Data Forum. This will be a unique opportunity to strengthen data and statistical systems for development not only at the national, but also at the regional and global level."said Mr. Stefan Schweinfest, Director, United Nations Statistics Division.
Dr Pali Lehohla, Statistician-General of the Republic of South Africa and Head of Statistics South Africa and host of the current World Data Forum 2017 stated "On behalf of Statistics South Africa, the host of the 1st UN World Data Forum, I would like to congratulate Director-General Mr Abdullah Lootah, as well as the Boards, Advisory Committees, and staff at Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority and all statistics centres as well as the people of United Arab Emirates for being selected as the hosts of the 2nd UN World Data Forum. We look forward to continue the pursuit of prosperity for the planet and its people through the Sustainable Development Goals Agenda (Vision 2030) in your beautiful country during the 2nd UN World Data Forum. We applaud all those involved in bidding for hosting the Forum and wish to let you know that Statistics South Africa is available to assist wherever possible."
"Statistics Denmark is looking forward to participating in the 2nd World Data Forum in Dubai as the event will have a major impact on the region’s production of statistics and strengthen the UAE role in the global statistical community," said Mr. Jørgen Elmeskov, Director General, Statistics Denmark.
Pride and Excitement within the UAE data and statistics community:
His Excellency Ali Mohammad Hammad Al Shamsi as Deputy Secretary-General of the Supreme National Security Council said, "the UAE is always the pioneer in hosting leading global forums and events, especially ones that discuss knowledge and innovation; and for the UAE to win the hosting of UN Data Forum 2018, this is an important accomplishment for the development of statistics, open and big data fields in the UAE. Fields considered today as one of the most important foundations required for government policy and decision making."
"The UAE proved its ability to host some of the world’s most important knowledge forums that gather the best expertise from around the globe. That is attributed to the ongoing policy adopted by the wise leadership in making science, knowledge and innovation as the basis of social, cultural and economic growth and development," said His Excellency Rashed Lahej Nasser Said Al Mansouri, Chairman of Statistics Centre-Abu Dhabi and Director General of Abu Dhabi Systems and Information Center (ADSIC)
"We are proud that we will be able to gather the world’s elite in data and statistics under one roof in the UAE in 2018. Hosting the World Data Forum will be a strong boost for the national agenda, as the event will assert the importance of producing accurate, up-to-date and detailed data on population, health, education, environment and other developmental pillars," said His Excellency Abdulla Abdul Rahman Al Shaibani – Secretary General of the Executive Council of Dubai.
"UAE’s hosting of the World Data Forum reflects the wise leadership’s direction and objective for the UAE to be the number one destination for the world’s best minds and expertise, especially in the fields of data and statistics," said his Excellency Sultan Bin Butti Al Muhairi, Secretary General, Sharjah Executive Council.
"We are proud that the UAE will host the UN World Data Forum in 2018. Being able to gather the world’s top experts in the field of data and statistics will add great value in addressing the challenges the world face in gathering accurate statistics, and we will be able to draw unified roadmaps and methodologies for global statistical standards," said His Excellency Engineer Saeed Saif Al Matrooshi, Secretary-General of the Executive Council of Ajman.
"This accomplishment is a step forward in development the statistical ecosystem and providing better data, which is what we constantly work on achieving here in the UAE. Being selected to host the World Data Forum is a great opportunity to support the sustainable development goals 2030, and can also help unify the language that statisticians and data scientists use to produce data," said His Excellency Humaid bin Rashid bin Humaid Al Shamsi, Secretary-General of the Executive Council, Um Al Quwain.
"The UN Data Forum is a global forum that specializes in data and statistics and the UAE hosting is in 2018 is a great undertaking that will call for the collaboration of all related entities in the UAE to produce a great event, with positive and beneficial outcomes," His Excellency Mohammed Saeed Al Dhanhani, Fujairah Emiri Court.
"We are delighted that the UAE will host another global forum on data and invite the worlds’ best data practitioners to the country. This event is a global platform aimed for sharing ideas and proposing innovative initiatives in the field of data management, and confirms data’s vital role in dealing with developmental challenges, and how to utilize this data to fulfil future vision and produce an integrated framework of recommendation, for the purpose of excelling in the field of data," said his Excellency Dr Mohammed Abdullatif Khalifa, Secretary General, Executive Council, Ras Al Khaima.
"I am fully confident that the UN World Data Forum 2018 which the UAE will host for the first time, and FCSA will support in organizing, will wittiness exceptional collaboration between some of the world’s statistical offices and work on the continuous enhancement of global statistical frameworks, and devising practical solutions for all the challenges statisticians face. We hope, through this forum, that we will be able to launch new pioneering ideas that can help in the production, publishing and utilization of data in a way that can serve national plans and visions. We would also like to reassure that the Statistical Center- Abu Dhabi is committed via all its resources to the forum success in the UAE in 2018," said His Excellency Butti Ahmed Mohamed Bin Butti Al Qubaisi, Director General of the Statistics Centre – Abu Dhabi.
"The UN World Data Forum is a unique collaboration opportunity for data producers and practitioners, and can serve a great platform to launch new initiatives that can provide better data on health, education, income and other data sets that are critical for successful and sustainable development," said His Excellency Aref Obaid Al Muhairi, Executive Director, Dubai Statistics Center.
"We are delighted that the UAE will be hosting UN World Data Forum as it will be a new milestone in the UAE’s journey to a knowledge based economy. Data is one of the most important pillars needed for a successful developmental strategy, which is based on capacity building and intellectual capital," said His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulla Al Thani, Director General of the Sharjah Statistics Centre.
"We look forward to participate in this important global event which places the UAE on the global data and statistics map. We congratulate the UAE and its people for this accomplishment and we are fully committed to play our role to support this forum and all international forums held in the UAE," said Dr Ibrahim Saad, General Manager, Fujairah Statistics Center.
UAE ranked first in Arab world for 3rd year in row in Ease of Doing Business: World Bank report 2016
- First regionally in the general classification and the number of documented improvements.
- First regionally in six out of ten categories.
- First globally in the category of the impact of non- payment of taxes, which does not affect business.
- Second globally in the category of the process of construction permits.
- Fourth globally in the category of electricity delivery.
The UAE was ranked first regionally and 16th globally, maintaining its lead among the top 20 competitive economies in the world, according to the recent version of the Global Competitiveness Report 2016 issued by the World Economic Forum (Davos) in Switzerland.
The report is one of the most important global competitiveness reports, which monitors annual performance and competitiveness of the economies of countries in terms of strength, weakness, impact on quality of life, prosperity and well-being of people.
Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashimi, Minister of State for International Cooperation and Chairperson of the Board of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority, said that the UAE positions itself on the world stage, thanks to the efforts of the federal and local taskforces who are working as one team under one vision for 2021, and others in this respect.
She added that these taskforces work in accordance with the plans and strategy and subject to continuous evaluation and development in line with the aspirations of the wise leadership to make the UAE one of the best countries in the world by 2021 with the advent of the golden jubilee on the establishment of the Union.
This year’s report surveys the economies of 138 countries rated through 114 performance indexes and in 12 basic axis, including institutions, infrastructure, education, health, innovation, efficiency of the labour market and other topics. Evaluation is based on statistics and data from participating countries in the report in terms of opinion polls and surveys on executives and major investors in those countries.
The UAE was ranked in the first 10 positions globally in three basic themes in the report. It is also among the best 20 countries globally in half of these axes. The UAE came in third place globally in the axis of efficient goods market, which is the sign of success of the diversification policy of the economy in the state, clarity of vision and strategic plans on the performance and efficiency of the business market.
It also came in fourth place globally in the infrastructure hub. This is an indication of activity in infrastructure projects across the country and its role in supporting the UAE economy in all areas and sectors, making it an attractive environment for investment and business at the regional and global level.
High-performance and efficient government institutions
At the level of indicators, the UAE was ranked among the 20 countries globally in 76 out of 114 indicators evaluated in this report. Regarding the institutions, the UAE was ranked first globally in the absence of the impact of crime and violence at work index, and second place globally in the people’s trust in the leadership and lack of wasteful government spending indexes.
The UAE was ranked in the third place globally in the efficient government index. This reflects the success of the leadership strategy and steps taken toward achieving the high performance and efficiency in the government work at the federal and local levels to ensure the happiness of citizens and residents and well-being on the territory of the state.
World-class infrastructure
On the infrastructure, the UAE has won the first place globally in the road quality index and second place globally in the airport infrastructure and means of air transport quality index. It also came in the third place globally in the seaport infrastructure quality and rate of mobile phone subscriptions per 100 users indexes. The UAE was ranked in the fourth place in the global index of quality of infrastructure and fifth in the index of number of airline seats available for each million passengers a week.
This performance reflects the huge investments made by the state to develop and improve the infrastructure in terms of extending road network, building new airports and the expansion of existing airports, the development of seaports and plans to link the UAE rail network within the Union Railway project.
Mature and sophisticated markets
In tribute to the development of the UAE market at various levels, the report reveals the UAE has been ranked in many of the first places in each of goods market efficiency and the labor market efficiency indexes. The UAE was ranked first globally in the lack of impact of taxes on investment index. And the second place globally on the lack of the tax impact on the labour market and the ability of the state to attract international skills indexes. The UAE also came third place in the global index of lack of tariff barriers and the ability of the state to retain the World skills.
Technological development and innovation
On the readiness of the technology sector, the maturity of the business sector, and higher education and training areas, the UAE has achieved the first position globally in the index of the government spending on new technologies” and the second place globally in the index of provision of specialised trade zones (free zones), and the third place in the global index of foreign direct investment and technology transfer to the state. The state was also ranked fourth globally in the index of the Internet connection to the schools and fifth place in the global index of availability of scientists and engineers in the state.
The Global Competitiveness Report issued by the World Economic Forum (Davos) in Switzerland, is one of the world’s most important reports and issued since 1971, and aims to help countries around the world to identify the obstacles to sustainable economic growth and development of strategies to reduce poverty and increase prosperity. It assesses the countries abilities to provide high levels of prosperity and well-being of their citizens. The report also provides a comprehensive assessment of the strengths and challenges facing the economies of countries.
Federal Competitiveness & Statistics Authority Launch “Emaratiyah… UAE’s Inspiring Women” Book A book that tells the success stories of inspiring Emirati women achievers who had a valuable contribution to the progress and development of the nation
Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimi, Minister of State for International Cooperation and Chairwoman of the Federal Competitiveness & Statistics Authority (FCSA) unveiled “Emaratiyah … UAE’s Inspiring Women”, a special edition book that documents the journey of 24 inspiring Emirati women who contributed to the development of the UAE and prospered in different domains of life such as economic, cultural, scientific and social. The featured women personalities in the book attended the launch event that took place in Jumeirah Emirates Towers hotel in Dubai today, along with the independent judging panel that worked on the selection criteria, media representative and FCSA team members who worked on the production of the book project.
Her Excellency Al Hashimi welcomed the attending audience with a special keynote, and extended congratulations to the leadership of the UAE headed by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE president, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai; and their highnesses the Rulers and Crown Princes of the Emirates on the occasion of the Emirati Women’s Day.
Her Excellency Al Hashimi also extended congratulations to Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union, Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation and President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood.
Minister Al Hashimi expressed her excitement and privilege to take part of this special day dedicated to celebrate the great accomplishments, achievements and contributions of Emirati women.
In her address, Her Excellency stressed that women empowerment has always been one of the key indicators of a nation’s social and economic progress and development. She also highlighted that societies simply cannot sustain a comprehensive development agenda without the full and active participation of women in the community. Her Excellency also indicated that the role of the Emirati women has rapidly expanded and evolved since the establishment of the union and Emirati women contributions and clear marks are visible on all aspects of UAE life.
Quoting His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum note on how UAE enables its society via the empowerment of women, Her Excellency asserted that Emirati women’s journey towards success and prosperity in the UAE was inked by the principles laid by the country’s leadership; underlined by true belief and conviction of the significant importance of women’s role as a key partner in building the future of the country.
Abdulla Lootah, Director General of the FCSA pointed out that the FCSA produced that book following direct instructions of Her Excellency Al Hashimi and in recognition and appreciation of the role of the Emirati women in supporting the UAE’s competitiveness in both individual and institutional levels. The book documents the journey of a group of inspiring Emirati women that contributed to the development of the nation and progress in so many different fields and domains such as economic, social, cultural, scientific and entertainment, and achieved ranks and accomplishments that are in par with the most advanced nations in the world.
The UAE Women’s Day is a celebration of the mother, sister and wife. A celebration of women who gave birth and fondle sponsored and carried the worries of the nation, taking responsibility and excelled in giving back to her family, society and country. These are some of the achievements translated in numbers and statistics:
- There are 8 ministers in current UAE cabinet. Making up 27.5% of ministerial roles.
- Emirati women is currently leading the Federal National Council, the country’s highest legislative authority, along with the occupancy of 9 seats on the council, making its 22.5% of women representation one of the highest in parliamentary bodies in the region.
- There are over 23000 registered businesswomen in the UAE running investment worth AED 42 billion.
- Since joining the labor force, women participation increased by 400%
- Women make up 66% of the public sector workers, with 30% in leadership roles and 15% in technical and academic roles. Also, 44% of leadership roles in Federal entities are taken by women.
- Women in the UAE make up 65% of total higher education graduates, and they have been active participants in previously male-denominated roles such as judiciary, aviation, military and defense and law enforcement.
Dr. Belhoul: Developing an Integrated Educational Ecosystem Supports UAE’s Competitiveness
His Excellency Dr. Ahmed Belhoul Al Falasi, UAE Minister of State for Higher Education, and during a visit to the headquarters of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority in Dubai, stated that the development of the educational ecosystem in the UAE is an ongoing process that is driven by the changes the world is witnessing on the global arena today.
His Excellency also praised the efforts of the FCSA in providing counsel, advice and recommendations aimed at improving the international rankings by providing educational statistical data required according to international standards. The FCSA team presented to the minister a special report and an analysis of a number of global competitiveness and statistical indicators that are related to higher education, as well an analysis of the performance of the UAE in these global reports.
His Excellency directed the FCSA team to continue the collaboration efforts with all federal and local educational institutions, he also stressed that all educational institutions should prioritize the process of provisioning information and statistical data that reflects the performance and development of the educational system in the UAE.
His Excellency also highlighted the importance of developing the educational sector via the training and building the capacity of UAE national talent, and how that consequently can have a positive impact on improving national competitiveness.
The minster indicated that education and building UAE talents is in-line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE President and his brother, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. The UAE leadership’s vision that aspires for the UAE economy to be driven by innovation, creativity and knowledge. His Excellency also pointed out that the nation has full confidence in the capabilities of every Emirati man and woman, as national talent is the true wealth of the nation.
Abdullah Lootah, Director General of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority added: "Due to its strategic significance and importance, the FCSA has always worked very closely with officials in the education sector across the UAE. Such collaboration has a direct impact on the country’s performance in competitiveness reports and indicators. The visit of His Excellency Dr. Al Falasi to the FCSA and his direction for further engagement and joint collaboration is a testament to the deep belief in the role of education as one of the most important pillars that support the country’s global competitiveness drive.”
During the meeting, the FCSA team presented methodology analysis of competitiveness reports monitored by FCSA, followed by a discussion on how the quality of education-related data can have an impact on the ranking of the UAE in such reports. For example, the Global Competitiveness Report by the World Economic Forum (Davos), includes education as a key indicator under the ‘basic requirements’ and ‘efficiency enhancers’ stages of economic development. This means that nations aiming to shift from the ‘basic requirement’ and ‘efficiency enhancers’ stages and onto the ‘innovation and business sophistication’ stage, must have a globally recognized, strongly established and highly efficient higher education institutions.
The FCSA also monitors other competitiveness reports that measure the competitiveness of the education sector, such as the Annual Competitiveness Yearbook published by the Institute of Management Development (IMD) in Switzerland, the Global Innovation Index by INSEAD Institute and the Human Development Report by the United Nations. In these reports, education related pillars and indicators have a direct impact on the overall outcome of the findings and overall country ranking and scores.
Mr Lootah concluded: "Moving up the ranking in some of the global competitiveness reports and indicators reports is only the beginning for us. We aspire to become among the top a global players in the most significant reports and indicators. And we can only achieve that through successful joint cooperation and effective collaboration with all federal and local government agencies, specifically in matters related to building and maintaining an advanced statistical database that is current, accurate and up to the required global standards"
| Indicator | Report | UAE Global Rank |
|
Quality of the education system |
Global Competitiveness Report (WEF) | 12 |
|
Quality of management school |
Global Competitiveness Report (WEF) | 20 |
|
University education |
World Competitiveness Yearbook (IMD) | 20 |
|
Management education |
World Competitiveness Yearbook (IMD) | 21 |
Table 1: UAE global ranking in higher education related competitiveness indicators
“President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan has issued a Federal Decree No. (6) for the year 2015 establishing the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority (FCSA) under the UAE Cabinet.
The new Authority, to be based in the emirate of Dubai, effectively replaces the National Bureau of Statistics and the Emirates Competitiveness Council by integrating the functions of both the entities.
As per the decree, the Authority will work to strengthen the UAE’s position across all global competitiveness indicators as well as promote sustainable development, in addition to serving as the apex body that organises and manages the statistics and competitiveness sectors.
The Authority is also mandated to build an integrated national statistical system. The establishment of the FCSA supports the goals of the UAE Vision 2021, a strategic roadmap to make the UAE among the best countries in the world by 2021.
Functions of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority Aiming to support the UAE’s competitiveness indicators, the new Authority will undertake a wide array of functions to achieve its goals.
The functions of the Authority include proposing policies, strategies and plans for statistics and competitiveness in coordination with the government and the related entities, as well as evaluating international best practices in all areas of the statistics and competitiveness sectors.
The FCSA will also work to promote a culture of competitiveness, and provide training and support to all government entities for the advancement of statistics and competitive operations.
It will act as an incubator for promoting best and specialized national skills in the UAE, in addition to preparing and implementing a unified statistical system for various sectors in the country.
The Authority will also represent the nation at various international forums in the field of statistics and competitiveness. Enhancing coordination with local entities FCSA is entrusted with a bigger vision and wider tasks to make significant positive changes in strategies to strengthen the efforts of the UAE to increase its competitiveness, especially through information and data revolution.
As per the decree, the Authority is the first and only official reference for all matters related to competitiveness for global reports and surveys.
It will be also a source of official statistics regarding the nation. The Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority also will serve as the main link between all the federal and local governments, as well as private sector and international organisations in all matters related to the competitiveness and statistics.
The new Federal decree also nullifies the Federal Law No. 9 of 2009 concerning the National Bureau of Statistics, and eliminates all regulations contrary to or inconsistent with its provisions.
The federal decree will be published in the official newspapers, and shall be effective from the day following the date of publishing. The UAE Cabinet also issued a decree appointing Reem Ibrahim Al Hashimi, Minister of State, as Chairperson of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority.
The board will include representatives from the Executive Councils of Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Qaiwain, Ras al-Khaimah, and Al Diwan Al Amiri in Fujairah.
“
The Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Center (FCSC) revealed the results of the UAE Security Quality of Life Survey 2021, which indicated that the level of trust in the police agencies in the country and their reliance in law enforcement exceeded 98.4%. The survey was conducted in the field and included a wide range of individuals in public places aged 18 years and over, males and females, in all emirates of the country. The field survey aimed to measure the opinion of the community in the UAE about the quality of security life in the country, the extent of the general impression of the community about the levels of feeling safe, the extent of trust in the Ministry of Interior agencies, the level of trust in police stations in the country and the extent to which they feel reliable by members of the community in the country.
Trust
Hanan Ahli, Director of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Center, said: "The results of the UAE Security Quality of Life Survey 2021 are among the highest in the world, and it is a source of pride and confidence in the security and police agencies shown by the community in the UAE, and the percentage of trust in the police in the country and its reliance in law enforcement exceeded 98.4%.
The percentage of feeling Safety when roaming alone outside the house at night 97.5%, as well as the result of the third indicator, which is to measure the extent of trust in the police station near you, achieved 96.4%.
Her Excellency continued: "The UAE Security Quality of Life Survey is one of the innovative surveys, which reflects an accurate impression of the reality of society, and the high confidence shown by the survey outputs in the police and security apparatus in the country, as well as the results of the global competitiveness reports issued by international institutions.
The UAE ranked first globally in the feeling of safely walking alone at night in the "Law and Order 2021" report issued by the international research firm "Gallup", and this advanced level achieved by the UAE in both field survey results or excellence in global competitiveness reports is attributed to the wise directives of the wise leadership in the country, and the tireless efforts made by the police and security agencies, led by the Ministry of Interior under the leadership of Lt. General His Highness Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister. Minister of the Interior.
His Excellency Mohamed Hassan, Executive Director of the Statistics Sector at the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Center: "The high results achieved by the indicators of confidence in the Ministry of Interior and safety indicators, which were shown by the UAE Security and Quality of Life Survey, are a reflection of the extent of the UAE society’s confidence in the police and security apparatus in the country. Which was measured with high accuracy, through personal interviews that surveyed the opinions of those included in the random sample, and conducted by field researchers from the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Center, as well as the teams of national statistical centers in the country".
Methodology
It is worth mentioning that the Security and Quality of Life Survey, which has been measured by the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Center since 2017, is carried out through an approved methodology designed within a representative sample of the community and collected through local statistics centers in the country. The data is analyzed, conclusions and outputs are drawn then recommendations and proposals get submitted to decision-makers to support the improvement of policies and the formulation of initiatives and improvement plans that increase the sense of security in the UAE society.
The Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Center (FCSC) has signed an memorandum of understanding with the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) to enhance national capabilities in data science and artificial intelligence. This came within the activities of the " Mobilising Big Data and Data Science for the Sustainable Development Goals" forum, which was organized at Expo 2020 Dubai in cooperation with the United Nations Expert Group on Big Data and Official Statistics. The partnership seeks to establish a foundation for mutual strategic cooperation between national institutions in supporting youth issues, developing artificial intelligence applications and data science, and building national capacities to accelerate the achievement of sustainable development goals.
The agreement aims to consolidate strategic cooperation between the two parties by providing specialized training programs in the field of artificial intelligence and data science.
Professor Eric Xing, President of MBZUAI, said: "The signing of this agreement with the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Center represents an important step towards building national capabilities in the field of data and artificial intelligence by aligning projects and training programs with national goals, both employees and students at the university will benefit from this cooperation.
Her Excellency Hanan Ahli, Acting Director of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Center, said that this memorandum represents a roadmap for joint cooperation and benefiting from artificial intelligence solutions and applications to be used by experts at the center to analyze and process data, as well as providing the opportunity to use data in the research and projects of university students as well as in the research of professors and researchers.
Data and technology experts applaud the launch of the global platform for big data for sustainable development goals in the United Arab Emirates.
Several high-ranking officials and experts from government and private sectors, as well as those working in the information and communications technology sector in the country, have commended the importance of the launch of the United Nations platform for big data for sustainable development goals. This launch took place at Expo Dubai 2020 and was attended by more than 86 international experts in 16 sessions. It was witnessed by high-ranking government officials in the country, United Nations officials, and big data experts from more than 22 countries around the world, in addition to top executives from various international and national companies, as well as academics and students.
Regarding the importance of the forum, Dr. Saeed Saif Al Matrooshi, Secretary-General of the Ajman Executive Council, emphasized that the Government of Ajman, under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman and Chairman of the Executive Council, is eager to learn about distinguished practices and pioneering experiences to stay updated with developments and propose innovative solutions in the field of big data. Big data has revolutionized the world of statistics and its future globally.
His Excellency Ahmed Mahmoud Fikri, Director-General of SCAD, stressed the importance of participation and cooperation in global events and conferences related to big data and artificial intelligence technologies, especially those related to achieving sustainable development goals. He highlighted the global and regional significance of this forum, held in conjunction with Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week. The week serves as a platform bringing together experts, decision-makers, government officials, and business leaders from the region and around the world to exchange experiences and discuss best practices.
Eng. Mohammed Al Zarooni, Deputy Director-General of the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority for the Information and Digital Government Sector, stated that the launch of the United Nations Big Data Platform for Sustainable Development Goals in the UAE marks a significant qualitative leap in the country’s strategic role in all areas related to digital transformation, particularly in the big data sector. The Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) is pleased to participate in this forum due to its substantial value and impact in utilizing data to achieve sustainable development goals for the benefit of humanity.
His Excellency Younus Al Nasser, Assistant Director-General at Digital Dubai and CEO of Dubai Data Establishment, emphasized the effective contribution of public and private sector data to accelerate the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. By collaborating and analyzing available data from cities, use cases can be identified that not only stimulate economic growth but also have a positive impact on people and the environment.
Her Excellency Thuraya Al Hashimi, Executive Director of the Digital Data Enabling Sector at FCSC, attributed the success of the UAE in hosting the regional headquarters to the collective efforts of the center’s team and the support of its government and national statistical center partners in the country. They have worked closely with the scientific community, researchers, and statisticians, all of whom have commended the UAE’s efforts in keeping pace with global developments and advancing new methodologies and frameworks to link various big data systems while adapting to changes in the global statistical system. This effort also supports global initiatives aimed at achieving sustainable development goals.
Eng. Anwar Mohammed Al-Shammari, Executive Director of the Geospatial Information Governance Sector at the Federal Center for Geographical Information, stressed the importance of promoting and developing the big data sector and industry in the country. This sector plays a strategic role in the country’s journey toward digital transformation and enhances the role of data in supporting efforts to achieve sustainable development goals, particularly in the spatial data sector.
Dr. Hajar Al Hubaishi, Executive Director of Ajman Statistics and Competitiveness Center, underlined the significance of building strategic partnerships and exchanging experiences to promote access to a knowledge-based economy, aligning with the strategic goal of the country.
Dina Fares, Acting Director General of Ajman Digital Government, emphasized that the launch of the platform represents a significant qualitative leap in the strategic role played by the UAE in the big data sector and in achieving sustainable development goals.
Among private sector participants, Samer Assem, General Manager of Al Mazrouei & Partners, highlighted that big data has become an essential tool for the success of businesses in various industries, especially those relying on digital infrastructure for manufacturing, sales, or distribution.
Eng. Waleed Al-Nokrashy, CEO of UAE Digital Lab, specializing in digital transformation, emphasized that the advanced infrastructure of the UAE makes it a focal point for international companies specialized in data, creating an inspiring environment for smart societies.
The forum witnessed the development of strategic partnerships and received substantial support from local and international entities in the public and private sectors, both locally and globally.
Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimy: The UAE has placed sustainable development at the heart of its strategies since its establishment to ensure prosperity and development
Minister of State for International Cooperation and Chair of the National Committee for Sustainable Development Goals, Her Excellency Reem Bint Ibrahim Al Hashimy, affirmed that the government of the United Arab Emirates adopts the Sustainable Development Goals and supports the United Nations’ vision in accelerating the achievement of these goals for the betterment of societies and people.
This came on the occasion of holding the first meetings of the Committee for the year 2022 within the agenda Global Sustainable Development Goals Week, held from From 15 to 19 January, at Expo 2020 Dubai.
Her Excellency said that under the directions of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan president of the United Arab Emirates, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Nahyan Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander for the armed forces, the UAE is keen to maintain its advanced position and to Remains the global leader in launching the most important programs and initiatives that support communities humanity around the world, and playing a leading and active role in achieving development goals sustainable, based on an innovative scientific methodology based on Visions & Plans A knowledge-based strategy based on factual and accurate data and statistics reflects the reality of the world."
The Chairperson of the Committee stressed that the UAE has put sustainable development in the core of its plans and strategies since its establishment, to ensure the prosperity and development of the country and its citizens. Noting the importance of joint work between all federal and local government entities, and effective coordination between the government and private sectors and strengthening partnership with the community to achieve the objectives of the agenda in the country.
Her Excellency said: "There is not much time left for the deadline, international communities must focus on action and implementation by 2030. The challenges facing the world are growing in magnitude and complexity, it has therefore become vital to adopt immediate solutions that mitigate obstacles relatively smaller, enabling individuals and organizations to operate efficiently and effectively with the biggest and most complex challenges in the medium and long term."
Her Excellency commended the committee members for their dedicated efforts in advancing diverse social, economic, and environmental initiatives both within the country and internationally. She emphasized that the Sustainable Development Goals are more than just a global approach or an international agenda; they are a humanitarian mission aimed at enhancing societies and the well-being of individuals, who are the foundation of developmental endeavors in communities. The Sustainable Development Goals play a significant and pivotal role within Expo 2020, offering an unprecedented opportunity to spearhead global efforts towards ensuring a sustainable future, fostering positive transformations, and envisioning new horizons in the field of sustainability, not only within the UAE but also on a global scale.
His Excellency Abdullah Lootah: "The year 2022 is very important in the UAE’s journey to achieve sustainability goals, as it coincides with the beginning of the country’s march towards the next fifty years"
The meeting was chaired by H.E. Abdullah Nasser Lootah, Vice Chairman of the National Committee on Sustainable Development Goals, chaired the first meeting in 2022, which witnessed the attendance of Dr. Hussein Abdul Rahman Al Rand, Assistant Under-Secretary for Centres and Health Clinics in the Ministry of Health and Prevention; Hanan Mansour Ahli, Acting Director of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre, and members of the National Committee on SDGs. A number of sessions, presentations and discussions were held, reviewing various initiatives and steps taken by the Committee during the past year, and discussed strategies and priorities for the next stage, including efforts and plans to promote the achievement of development goals in the nation.
Abdullah Lootah stated that 2022 marks a significant milestone in the UAE’s journey towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. This coincides with the commencement of the nation’s journey towards the next fifty years, during which various initiatives and programs will be launched to support the vision of the wise leadership in realizing the pillars of the UAE Centennial 2071. This effort aligns with global sustainability priorities and has been recognized by the United Nations as a "decade of work" dedicated to achieving these goals.
Hanan Ahli: New plans, ideas and initiatives reflect positively on the process of achieving Sustainable Development Goals.
H.E. Hanan Mansour Ahli, Acting Director of the Federal Competitiveness Statistics Centre, remarked that the committee members and their dedicated teams demonstrated remarkable resilience and adaptability. Despite the challenges posed by the global landscape, be it the lingering impacts of the "Covid-19" pandemic or the fluctuations in climate and geopolitical dynamics, they successfully developed plans, ideas, initiatives, and proposals for the year 2022. These discussions and deliberations exemplified a shared spirit of integration, consensus, and unwavering determination to propel the UAE forward.
Hanan Ahli further emphasized, "The UAE has made significant strides in the realm of sustainable development, receiving accolades from major international institutions that meticulously assess the country’s performance across a wide array of competitive indicators tied to sustainable development. The UAE proudly claimed the top global ranking in 97 of these indicators linked to Sustainable Development Goals and secured a position among the top ten on a global scale in 268 other indicators. To reinforce our leadership position both regionally and internationally, it becomes imperative to redouble government efforts in the pursuit of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Additionally, fostering collaborations between the public and private sectors is vital to advance these objectives, making sustainable development an overarching societal priority in the UAE."
She noted, "The comprehensive data supplied by government agencies plays a pivotal role in advancing the UAE’s endeavors to realize the Sustainable Development Goals. It aids in the development of innovative initiatives and informed decision-making based on precise and accurate data." Hanan Ahli emphasized the significance of harnessing the global platform provided by Expo 2020 and the array of international events and activities it hosts. These events offer a unique opportunity to showcase the UAE’s successful experiences in achieving these goals on a global stage.
Projects Fast and high-impact companies.
During the meeting, committee members reached a consensus on the paramount importance of prioritizing planning and executing projects and initiatives that are characterized by their swiftness and ease of implementation, while also ensuring they yield substantial and clearly visible impacts. They underscored the significance of collaborative efforts among the government agencies involved in the Committee to reinforce the nation’s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals.
Furthermore, the meeting highlighted the most prominent efforts and initiatives undertaken at both national and international levels. It was noted that the global partnerships established by the UAE have played a crucial role in assisting countries and communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. This support included providing medical and food assistance to various parts of the world, aligning with the objectives of Sustainable Development, such as eradicating hunger, combating poverty, and ensuring access to sound healthcare, among other vital goals.
The National Committee for Sustainable Development Goals, established in 2017, is dedicated to the implementation of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. This committee plays a pivotal role in aligning the UAE’s national development priorities with the UN’s developmental goals, facilitating information-sharing among stakeholders, and supporting the integrated implementation of these developmental objectives. Comprising of 17 members, its mission is to provide essential support for goal implementation, monitor progress, and engage stakeholders in the collective efforts to achieve these objectives. Additionally, the committee collaborates in aligning sustainable development goals with the UAE’s national agenda, including the National Wellbeing Strategy, and works in coordination with the youth, the private sector, and knowledge institutions to ensure the effective implementation of these vital development goals.
Dubai (Union) – The Higher Committee for Coordinating Statistical Work at the national level had its fourth meeting at the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre in Dubai; where they discussed the National Statistics Strategy plan, as part of its efforts to enhance continuous assessments of new emerging needs and improve the efficiency of the statistical system to serve development programs at both the national and international levels. The meeting was attended by H.E. Sheikh Sultan bin Abdullah Al Qasimi, Director of the Department of Statistics and Community Development, H.E. Hanan Ahli, Managing Director of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre and Chairman of the Committee, H.E. Abdullah Gharib AlQemzi, Acting Director General of the Statistics Centre – Abu Dhabi, H.E. Younus Al Nasser, Assistant Director General, Digital Dubai & CEO, Dubai Data Establishment, Dr. Hajar Al Hubaishi, Executive Director of Ajman Statistics Center, Najwa Yaqoub, Executive Director of the Ras Al Khaimah Center for Statistics and Studies, and H.E. Dr. Ibrahim Saad, Director of Fujairah Statistics Center. H.E. Hanan Ahli, emphasized the importance of enhancing cooperation between the statistical entities in the country through the exchange of knowledge and experiences and unifying standards of statistical processes. She pointed out that the upcoming action plan will prioritize designing the future statistical system and ways to improve the competitiveness of the UAE in global reports and indicators. She highlighted the importance of focusing on technical areas with a high impact on the national statistical strategy. The Committee stressed the importance of the participation of the UAE delegation in the fifty-fifth session of the United Nations Statistical Commission, in coordination with the Office of the Permanent Mission of the UAE to the United Nations, as the meetings of the Committee represent an ideal opportunity to build channels of communication and fruitful cooperation with international statistical authorities. It is worth mentioning that the Higher Committee for Coordinating Statistical Work was established at the national level in 2016 as a national initiative aimed at enhancing partnership opportunities, developing mechanisms for joint work, intensifying coordination among statistical entities in areas of statistical work development, and designing policies and implementing strategies based on data supporting decision-making processes.
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