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DATA FOR A BETTER FUTURE
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The National Committee for Sustainable Development Goals stresses the importance of the availability of modern data and statistics to introduce the country’s efforts globally
19 Sep 2024
The National Committee for Sustainable Development Goals stressed the importance of the availability of modern data and statistics to introduce the UAE’s efforts globally in all vital sectors, and the need to expand the base of specialized national experts to facilitate the implementation of sustainable development goals, enhance efforts to ensure data standardization, improve the quality of associated reports, and improve coordination levels between national and international bodies to ensure transparency and reduce duplication in efforts to accelerate the achievement of global goals.
This came during the third meeting of the committee chaired by Abdullah Nasser Lootah, Assistant Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Competitiveness and Knowledge Exchange and Chairman of the National Committee for Sustainable Development Goals, and in the presence of Her Excellency Maria Hanif Al Qassim, Assistant Undersecretary for Economic Policies and Studies Sector at the Ministry of Economy, His Excellency Nasser Ismail, Assistant Undersecretary for Social Welfare Affairs at the Ministry of Community Development, Her Excellency Eng. Alia Abdul Rahim Al Harmoodi, Assistant Undersecretary for Sustainable Communities Sector at the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, and His Excellency Hassan Obaid Al Muhairi, Assistant Undersecretary for Policies and Economic Studies Sector in Ministry of Education.
The meeting was also attended by HE Hanan Mansour Ahli, Director of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Center, HE Colonel Dr. Rashid Khalfan Al Dhakhri, Deputy Director of the General Department of Strategy and Performance Development at the Ministry of Interior, HE Rashid Mohammed Al Hemeiri, Director of the Development and International Cooperation Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Eng. Nawal Yousef Al Hinai, Director of the Future Energy Department at the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure.
Abdullah Lootah stressed that the UAE leadership focuses on enhancing investment in national talents and cadres in order to enhance their participation in achieving the country’s future visions and directions, and enhance its contribution to advancing and accelerating efforts to achieve sustainable development goals, stressing the importance of integration in the national effort and expanding cooperation, partnership and coordination at the international level to achieve global development goals.
Abdullah Lootah said that the National Committee for Sustainable Development Goals has worked since its inception to support national initiatives aimed at achieving the sustainable development goals, and to enhance national capacity-building efforts to enable them to participate in this global march, which reflects the keenness of the country. The UAE is actively involved in creating a better future for future generations.
During the meeting, the members of the committee stressed the importance of enhancing transparency in the exchange of data between national and international bodies to ensure consistency of reports and achieve integration between the concerned parties, and reviewed a number of successful international experiences in improving data systems and the possibility of benefiting from them in supporting the national system for data collection and analysis.
The meeting stressed the importance of focusing on achieving sustainability indicators comprehensively through coordination at the national and global levels and improving data flow, in addition to focusing on building the capacity of national task forces through training programs that adopt continuous learning to ensure the sustainability of data quality, and discussed ways to improve the availability of data related to the sustainable development goals, the main challenges in the subject of data, in terms of its quality and flow, and efforts to apply international standards in data collection.
The meeting reviewed the latest developments in the work of the Committee in ensuring the continuation of data collection related to the Sustainable Development Goals, coordinating meetings to review indicators, and continuing to work in partnership with international organizations to build Capacity in the field of methodologies for calculating indicator data, and working with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) on a plan to harmonize and update data, review data availability and the rate of achievement of data indicators.
Members of the committee discussed ways to enhance work and coordination with the concerned authorities to spread the culture of sustainability and awareness of the sustainable development goals, and activate community partnerships to highlight the UAE’s efforts in this field.
The members of the committee were briefed on the achievements of joint work to achieve the sustainable development goals, as the last period witnessed the participation of more than 350 people in meetings that dealt with enhancing cooperation with 34 international organizations, as well as cooperation with 37 federal and local government agencies, in addition to the implementation of more than 100 hours of workshops and events, and the focus was on building national capacities through 24 workshops, while 27 technical meetings were held to follow up on the implementation of the national plan.
The participants learned about the level of progress in achieving the sustainable development goals through the National Data Plan, which increased during 2024 to 58%, compared to 42% achieved last year. The global achievement rate of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) this year is 17%, according to the recently announced by UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
It is noteworthy that the National Committee for Sustainable Development Goals undertakes a number of key tasks, including coordinating with the concerned authorities to align and review national policies, strategies and targets with the sustainable development goals, building and strengthening national capacities to achieve sustainable development goals and face challenges through partnerships locally and globally, preparing national reports on the country’s results and efforts to achieve the sustainable development goals, and coordinating with the authorities to prepare and disseminate data related to sustainable development goals at the state level.
UAE’s GDP hits AED430 billion in Q1 2024
09 Sep 2024
ABU DHABI, 9th September, 2024 — Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy, said that the preliminary estimates of the UAE’s GDP growth in the Q1 2024, issued by the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre (FCSC), underline the resilience and vitality of the national economy and exemplify its ability to continue on the path of sustainable growth.
He highlighted that the country’s real GDP reached AED430 billion in Q1 2024, recording a remarkable growth of 3.4 percent compared to the same period in 2023, while the non-oil GDP grew by 4 percent compared to the same period last year.
"Under the guidance of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, the country adopted an innovative economic model that supports its future vision, along with effective national economic strategies, enhancing openness to the world, promoting partnerships, and transitioning towards an economic model based on flexibility and innovation," Bin Touq added.
He emphasised that the national economy’s positive results reinforce achieving the economic objectives of the "We the UAE 2031" vision, which includes raising the country’s GDP to AED3 trillion by the next decade.
Hanan Ahli, Managing Director of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre, said, "The financial and economic data and indicators endorsing the growth of the UAE’s GDP Q1 2024 reflect the resilience of the country’s vital economic sectors. It highlights the effectiveness of the concerted efforts to implement wise leadership’s directives to enhance sustainable economic diversification, reduce dependence on oil, promote investments, and attract capital and innovative and emerging projects to the country."
She added that the UAE’s advanced rankings in multiple global economic competitiveness indicators can be attributed to several factors, including the stability of the financial system, the strength of the national economy, and the effectiveness of economic legislation and policies applied in the country, besides their ability to adapt to changes and face regional and global challenges.
Based on the data released by the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre, financial and insurance activities have emerged as the leading non-oil economic sector contributing to the UAE’s GDP growth, with a remarkable growth of 7.9 percent. This growth can be attributed to the significant increase in the local credit granted to the private sector, which led to a six percent growth and positively impacted the rebound of non-oil economic activities.
Following closely behind in the second place are transportation and storage activities, which grew 7.3 percent. This growth was driven by a notable increase in the number of travellers at the country’s airports during the first three months of this year, reaching 36.5 million travellers, a growth rate of 14.7 percent compared to the same period last year.
The UAE’s ports have demonstrated exceptional performance during this time, with Dubai’s international ports witnessing a 3.7 percent growth in the number of containers handled, while Abu Dhabi’s ports experienced a 36 percent increase in cargo handling volume on an annual basis.
Ranking third, construction and building activities experienced a growth rate of 6.2 percent, which aligns with the several development projects initiated by the UAE government in early 2024. They saw a substantial rise in the government’s public capital expenditures, reaching AED4.8 billion, compared to that of Q1 2023.
The restaurant and hotel sector secured the fourth spot with a 4.6 percent growth during the first quarter of 2024 compared to the corresponding period in 2023. Moreover, the UAE emerged at the forefront of the global tourism landscape, attracting a substantial number of tourists from around the world.
In particular, Dubai witnessed a remarkable influx of 5.18 million international tourists, representing an 11 percent increase compared to the corresponding period in 2023. Abu Dhabi also maintained its exceptional performance in key tourism indicators, including the average hotel occupancy rates and revenue per available rooms.
Trade activities made the largest contribution to the non-oil GDP, accounting for 16.1 percent. Manufacturing activities come in second at 14.6 percent, with financial and insurance activities ranking third at a rate of 13.4 percent.
Construction and building activities contribute 11.8 percent, followed by real estate activities with a contribution of 7.1 percent.
Discussing efforts to achieve Gulf statistical excellence at the global level
20 Aug 2024
The Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Center discussed with a delegation from the Statistical Centre for the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, the national and joint efforts of the GCC countries towards achieving global statistical excellence, and the two sides discussed ways to enhance fruitful cooperation frameworks and expand areas of future partnerships.
This came within a visit by the delegation of the Statistical Centre for the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, headed by Intisar bint Abdullah Al-Wahaibi, Director General of the Center, during which she met with Hanan Mansour Ahli, Director of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Center and the Federal Center team.
The Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre plays an active role in the Standing Committee for Statistical Work Affairs of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, which includes the heads and directors of national statistical agencies in the member states, in addition to a representative from the General Secretariat of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, and the Director General of the Gulf Statistical Center, and the Committee supports the Gulf statistical work roadmap, efforts to harmonize and coordinate work in the region and enhance statistical capacities in the demographic, social, economic, environmental, energy and tourism sectors. Methodologies and data quality, indicators of development, progress and sustainability, information and statistical awareness.
National Projects
The meeting discussed the strategic national statistical projects of the UAE, their role in serving development programs at the national and international levels, and their contribution to improving the UAE’s competitiveness in global reports and indicators and achieving the goals of sustainable development 2030, and the meeting praised the role of the GCC Statistical Center in monitoring figures and statistics concerned with vital sectors in the GCC countries, and introducing the experience and specificity of the GCC countries and what they represent of a unified economic and social bloc, in addition to supporting National strategic decision-making and planning processes for current and future Gulf projects.
Strengthening Gulf work mechanisms
Hanan Mansour Ahli affirmed the firm commitment of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre in the UAE, to support the strengthening of the mechanisms of joint statistical work of the Gulf statistical centers, and the employment of modern and innovative technologies and harnessing big data science and artificial intelligence to serve the development of vital sectors and keep pace with international practices In the field of statistics.
She praised the efforts and initiatives of the Statistical Center for the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, and its effective role in raising the efficiency of the Gulf statistical system.
UAE Model For
her part, Intisar bint Abdullah Al Wahaibia praised the efforts of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Center in highlighting the UAE’s pioneering statistical model, which was reflected in her selection as a member of the United Nations Statistical Commission for the period 2025-2028, noting that the UAE’s membership in the United Nations Statistical Commission contributes to strengthening the joint Gulf statistical work.
She said that the distinguished level of cooperation between national statistical centers and agencies in the GCC countries represents an important factor in promoting joint Gulf action, implementing the strategic plan for joint Gulf statistical work, harmonizing national statistical strategies with international best practices in this field, and exchanging knowledge and experiences to enhance statistical capabilities at the level of the GCC countries.
Enhancing Gulf statistical cooperation
The meeting discussed ways to benefit from the UAE’s hosting of the regional headquarters of the United Nations Big Data Platform, and to enhance Cooperation between the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Center and the Gulf Statistical Center in this field in light of the capabilities provided by the platform that support the development of accurate official statistics, build capacities for the use of big data and data science in statistical authorities in the region, benefit from successful practices and exchange experiences and knowledge in employing modern technology for data analysis, in a way that contributes to innovating solutions and developing distinguished services that enhance efforts to achieve sustainable development goals, and create an incubating and supportive environment for innovators in the field of advanced data science in Gulf states.
The meeting discussed projects and initiatives related to linking and integrating statistical data between the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Center and the Gulf Statistical Center, which include data collection, exchange, processing and dissemination automatically and securely, to support the preparation of statistical reports and studies in many fields in the GCC countries, which contributes to strengthening joint Gulf action.
Preparations of statistical center’s
The meeting touched on the preparations of the official statistical centers in the GCC countries and the Statistical Center for the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf. To celebrate the Gulf Statistics Day, which falls on December 24, 2024, which will be celebrated by the Center with all statistical centers and agencies in the GCC countries on December 9, 2024, in order to emphasize the importance of statistics and its role in the development planning process, and to consolidate the partnership between the countries of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf to improve and develop the statistical environment.
It is worth mentioning that the establishment of the Statistical Center for the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf was announced and the adoption of the Omani capital Muscat as its permanent headquarters in December 2012, to represent an official source of data, information and statistics of the GCC countries, and its statute was adopted by the Supreme Council of the Cooperation Council, which includes Their Majesties and Highnesses the heads of member states: the United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Sultanate of Oman, the State of Qatar and the State of Kuwait.
UAE calls on countries around the world to strengthen partnerships and cooperation in intensifying efforts to achieve SDG 17
22 Jul 2024
The delegation of the State of U.A.E. to the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development 2024 in New York, at the conclusion of the annual UN event, affirmed that the UAE adopts a flexible and constantly evolving cooperative model that aims to expand partnerships, knowledge exchange and fruitful and sustainable development work globally, in a way that supports the achievement of the sustainable development goals set by the United Nations for the year 2030, and foresees the prospects for sustainable development for individuals, communities and the planet.
His Excellency Abdullah Nasser Lootah, Assistant Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Knowledge Exchange and Competitiveness and Chairman of the National Committee for Sustainable Development Goals, stressed in the speech of the UAE delegation delivered at the end of his participation in the UN Forum at the United Nations Headquarters, that the UAE continues, under the directives of the wise leadership, to support the achievement of sustainable development goals by strengthening partnership agreements, exchanging knowledge, implementing bilateral and joint development projects, and providing assistance that has a sustainable impact.
Abdullah Lootah said: "The UAE will continue its approach of partnership and cooperation for the good of societies and peoples. By aligning its external aid strategy with the Sustainable Development Goals, in 2022 it amounted to more than US$3.4 billion, of which 83% was development aid, and the Mohamed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives spent about AED 1.8 billion positively impacting the lives of more than 100 million beneficiaries, the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development invested nearly US$60 billion to more than 100 countries, and the Emirates Red Crescent provided 54% of its total assistance to support global development initiatives.
Since the launch of the government’s knowledge exchange program, it has concluded agreements with more than 35 countries, implemented more than 367 initiatives, and trained more than 3.2 million government employees.
During a session on the sixth goal of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which is concerned with clean water and hygiene issues, Lootah stressed the importance of promoting global climate action as a key supporter of achieving the rest of the sustainable development goals, and pointed to the UAE’s commitment with the countries of the world to accelerate the pace of achieving development goals. Climate (COP28) We united around the "UAE Agreement", which was described as the most ambitious and comprehensive agreement since the Paris Agreement, and the presidency of the Conference launched the tripartite "Troika of Chairs of the Conferences of the Parties" aimed at uniting efforts until the thirtieth session.
Abdullah Lootah called on UN organizations, international institutions and governments to join the UAE’s efforts to foresee the future of the sustainable development goals beyond 2030 and for the next two decades leading up to 2045, recalling the first-of-its-kind report issued by the UAE at this session of the United Nations High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, which examines the global path to achieving the 2045 Sustainable Development Goals.
We invite everyone to join us to renew commitment to the development agenda for the next two decades, and to develop an integrated system that looks forward to the future, based on international cooperation, through the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals 2045, which the UAE contributes to developing and developing to build a future path in which we are stronger and more capable. A path for our future generations.
(United Nations High-Level Political Forum)
The High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), the main platform of the United Nations on sustainable development, has played a pivotal role since its inception in 2012, in following up and reviewing what has been implemented at the country level in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
This edition of the International Forum was held under the theme "Promoting the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Eradicating Poverty in Times of Multiple Crises… Implementing sustainable, resilient and innovative solutions effectively", and throughout the period from 8 to 17 July 2024, delegates participating in this year’s edition of the Forum worked on in-depth revisions of five of the Sustainable Development Goals: Goal 1 to eradicate poverty in all its forms everywhere, Goal 2 to end hunger, achieve food security, improve nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture, Goal 13 to support climate action and call for urgent action to combat climate change and its repercussions, and Goal 16 to promote Inclusive peaceful societies to achieve sustainable development, provide justice for all and build effective and efficient institutions, and Goal 17, which focuses on global partnerships to promote Implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Participants at HLPF: UAE’s Robust Commitment to Enhancing International Cooperation for Achieving Global SDGs
22 Jul 2024
Officials and leaders from the UAE delegation at the United Nations High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development 2024 in New York affirmed the UAE’s strong commitment to enhancing international cooperation to achieve global sustainable development goals. In statements following their participation, they emphasised the importance of continued efforts to accelerate the implementation of these goals.
Rashid Al Mansouri: HLPF Provided a Platform to Highlight ERC’s Experience
H.E. Rashid Mubarak Al Mansouri, Secretary-General of Emirates Red Crescent (ERC), highlighted that the participation in the United Nations HLPF on Sustainable Development 2024 provided a platform to showcase the Authority’s sustainable development initiatives. These initiatives address social, economic, and environmental dimensions, optimise resource use to meet community needs, and aim to combat poverty, hunger, disease, and climate change; challenges that threaten societal stability and development. He emphasised that sustainability is crucial for mitigating these risks.
Al Mansouri stated that the Emirates Red Crescent implements initiatives that aim to create a lasting positive impact on people’s lives. The development projects focus on fragile communities and address key areas such as food sustainability, health, education, and essential services like electricity, water, sanitation, and clean energy. Additionally, the projects include infrastructure development, such as constructing housing units and facilities for refugees and displaced persons, and supporting their stability to enhance their productivity and integration into local communities.
Mohammed Al Suwaidi: UAE’s Historic Achievements in Advancing Development Goals
H.E. Mohammed Saif Al Suwaidi, Director-General of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, stated that under the guidance of its wise leadership, the United Arab Emirates has achieved remarkable milestones in supporting sustainable development goals and fostering global economic cooperation. The UAE’s efforts have established a unique model for assisting developing countries in addressing economic and development challenges.
Al Suwaidi added: “The Abu Dhabi Fund for Development receiving the United Nations Small Island Developing States Partnerships Award 2024 exemplifies the Fund’s and its strategic partners’ forward-looking vision. This recognition underscores their commitment to finding innovative and effective solutions for accelerating the transition to renewable energy, empowering communities, and building capacities as key components of a comprehensive strategy for sustainable development in developing countries".
H.E. Dr. Alanoud Alhaj, Assistant Under-Secretary for Green Development and Climate Change at the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, emphasised that the UAE’s climate action is centred on achieving sustainable development goals. These include ensuring access to adequate and affordable food, quality education, health care, and the optimal use of resources.
Dr. Alhaj added: “The UAE is dedicated to enhancing food security and advancing towards SDG 2 (Zero Hunger). Through strategic planning, innovative solutions, and international collaboration, we are making significant progress in eliminating hunger, improving food security, and promoting sustainable agriculture on a global scale".
She further noted that, amid the challenges of climate change, such as global warming and environmental degradation, it is crucial to recognise their impact on economic, social, and health outcomes. To address these challenges, a unified strategy for sustainable development is essential. Specifically, SDG 13 (Climate Action) is closely connected to goals addressing water scarcity, hunger, health, economic growth, and other critical issues.
Dana Al Marzooqi: Achieving Sustainable Development Goals as a Pillar of the UAE’s Vision and Mission
Lieutenant Colonel Dana Humaid Al Marzooqi, Director-General of the International Affairs Bureau at the Ministry of Interior, said: “The UAE has long recognised the vital connection between sustainability, security, and climate action. Therefore, we, together with our partners at the United Nations and beyond, are committed to leading global efforts to ensure that everyone can live a life of dignity".
Mohamed Al Ramahi: Committed to Climate Action Through a Just Energy Transition
Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Chief Executive Officer of Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar), stated that Masdar is committed to climate action through a fair and equitable energy transition and by supporting countries and communities in achieving their net zero targets. With global partnerships and projects spanning over 40 countries across six continents, Masdar is committed to increasing renewable energy production capacity to 100 gigawatts by 2030. This goal aligns with the UAE’s historic agreement to triple global renewable energy production capacity by the same year.
During the “Sustainable Development Forum 2024”. The Government Knowledge Exchange Office organizes a session on international efforts to accelerate the achievement of Goal 17
21 Jul 2024
The UAE Government Knowledge Exchange Office organized as part of the activities of the UAE delegation at the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development 2024 in New York. A pivotal session on the central role of the principle of building and expanding bilateral strategic partnerships at the international level in accelerating the achievement of the 17 sustainable development goals adopted by the United Nations for the year 2030 with a global consensus, where the UAE delegation presented the country’s pioneering model in concluding partnerships whose sustainable impact is reflected in developing the work of governments and supporting the growth paths of economies and societies. The session, titled ‘Building and Strengthening Impactful Partnerships to Accelerate the Achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals’, addressed the UAE’s efforts at the level of international cooperation in exchanging experiences and successful models with the seventeenth goal of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which is "Partnerships to achieve the Goals".
The session showcased the UAE government’s knowledge-sharing partnership approach with more than 37 countries and governments around the world.
The session was organized with the aim of documenting the global impact of the government knowledge exchange program and its role in achieving The objectives of Sustainable Development Goal 17, which is concerned with activating global partnerships for sustainable development, including governments, the private sector and civil society, as this documentation of achievements will contribute to enriching academic institutions with the information and data required to measure and monitor the progress of partnership development and their direct and indirect contribution to the achievement of other sustainable development goals.
The session was attended by His Excellency Abdullah Nasser Lootah, Assistant Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Knowledge Exchange and Competitiveness and Chairman of the National Committee for Sustainable Development Goals, His Excellency Mohamed Saif Al Suwaidi, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, Her Excellency Dr. Alanoud Al Hajj, Assistant Undersecretary for Green Development and Climate Change, Lt. Col. Dana Humaid Al Marzouqi, Director General of the International Affairs Office at the Ministry of Interior, Hashem Al Attas, Senior Portfolio Manager for the Middle East and North Africa at Masdar, in addition to experts, academics and makers. Decision, and government officials from Rwanda, Mongolia, Serbia, Malaysia, Malta, Uzbekistan and Fiji.
The session was moderated by Afshin Molavi, Senior Fellow, Institute for Foreign Policy at the College of Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University.
The session discussed the value of influential partnerships in promoting progress towards achieving sustainable development goals, through government modernization, supporting positive transformations, and consolidating partnership concepts that support countries, governments and societies in achieving sustainable development goals and transforming future challenges into opportunities. The roundtable session then turned into a workshop on the future of partnerships in accelerating the achievement of the five goals focused on the 2024 edition of the United Nations High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development: Goal 1 to eradicate poverty in all its forms everywhere, Goal 2 to end hunger, achieve food security, improve nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture, Goal 13 to support climate action and call for urgent action to combat climate change and its repercussions, and Goal 16 to promote peaceful societies. inclusive of all categories to achieve sustainable development, provide justice for all and build effective and efficient institutions; Goal 17, which focuses on global partnerships to promote the implementation of development goals.
The participants were distributed from Academics, researchers, government officials and experts in groups, each group discussed one of the sustainable development goals under discussion, where they prepared in brainstorming a series of practical recommendations to promote accelerated international partnerships to achieve sustainable development for the future, foremost of which is the call for the exchange of knowledge and expertise, the sharing of best experiences and practices, and inter- and international cooperation at the level of governments, UN organizations, international institutions and development programs to reach the goal of sustainable development and preserve the planet’s resources for future generations.
The first group included H.E. Dr. Alanoud Al Hajj, Assistant Undersecretary for Green Development and Climate Change, H.E. Ambassador Ernest Rwamusio, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Rwanda to the United Nations, H.E. Chinokhai Pat Ardenni, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Permanent Mission of Mongolia to the United Nations, and H.E. Mohamed Raslan, First Secretary for Agricultural Affairs at the Malaysian Embassy in Washington.
The group discussed the achievements of the government knowledge exchange program and its impact on the first two development goals of eradicating poverty in all its forms. The second goal is to end hunger, achieve food security, improve nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture.
Participants in the first group addressed the role of technological innovations in efforts to combat poverty, and the importance of investment and policy development to increase the contribution of education and health care to reducing global poverty levels.
The session also touched on global trade policies and market movement and their impact on food access to all countries and their role in reducing hunger and improving global food security.
The second group addressed Goal 13, which supports climate action and calls for urgent action to combat climate change and its repercussions, and included Lieutenant Colonel Dana Humaid Al Marzouqi, Director General of the International Affairs Office at the Ministry of Interior, Her Excellency Marta Arsowska Tomovska, Advisor to the Speaker of Parliament of the Republic of Serbia and Special Envoy for Expo 2027 in Belgrade, Joseph Caruana, from the Ministry of Environment, Energy and the Grand Port Renovation in Malta, and Hashim Al Attas, Senior Portfolio Manager for the Middle East and North Africa at Masdar.
The second group discussed issues of importance Current globality, such as the role of governments in leading the transition to alternative energy sources, the responsibility of advanced economies in this area and the possibility of playing a greater role in reducing carbon emissions, and ways to support societies to withstand the effects of climate change.
The third group discussed Goal 17, which focuses on global partnerships to enhance the implementation of the SDGs, and was attended by His Excellency Abdullah Nasser Lootah, Assistant Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Competitiveness and Knowledge Exchange and Chairman of the National Committee for Sustainable Development Goals, His Excellency Mohamed Saif Al Suwaidi, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, His Excellency Shukrat Vavayev, Executive Director of the Uzbekistan Fund for Reconstruction and Development, and His Excellency Viotti Kisonyo, from the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Fiji to the United Nations.
Participants addressed the role of global partnerships in making rapid progress in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, the role of multilateral financial institutions and the role of concessional loans in supporting sustainable development, and the prospect of partnership between public and private sector institutions in this regard.
The High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development is the main platform. Since its establishment in 2012, it has played a pivotal role in following up and reviewing what has been implemented at the country level in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
This edition of the International Forum was held under the theme "Promoting the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Eradicating Poverty in Times of Multiple Crises: Effectively Implementing Sustainable, Resilient and Innovative Solutions".
UAE delegation reviews with representatives of countries and international organizations the country’s efforts to achieve sustainable development goals 2045
18 Jul 2024
The UAE delegation organized a first-of-its-kind session on the importance of global partnerships with governments and international organizations in achieving the 2045 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) during their participation in the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development 2024 in New York.
The session, titled "Government Knowledge Exchange Program: Ministerial Dialogue on the Sustainable Development Goals 2045, Catalyzing Sustainable Development", included HE Abdullah Nasser Lootah, Assistant Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Knowledge Exchange and Competitiveness, HE Mohamed Abu Shehab, UAE Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations, HE Rashid Mubarak Al Mansouri, Secretary General of the Emirates Red Crescent, HE Mohamed Saif Al Suwaidi, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, and HE Dr. Alanoud Al Hajj, Assistant Undersecretary for Development Affairs. Green and Climate Change, Lieutenant Colonel Dana Humaid Al Marzouqi, Director General of the International Affairs Bureau at the Ministry of Interior, Hashim Al Attas, Senior Portfolio Manager for the Middle East and North Africa at Masdar, and representatives of a number of countries, governments and organizations International institutions, UN programs and knowledge exchange program partners.
During the session, the delegation reviewed the UAE’s successful experience in the government knowledge exchange program, which has achieved since its launch in 2018 strategic knowledge partnerships, bilateral cooperation and fruitful contacts to exchange knowledge and successful government experiences inspired by the UAE experience and the distinguished government work process with more than 35 countries and governments in 5 continents around the world, which supports joint international efforts to achieve sustainable development goals.
His Excellency Abdullah Nasser Lootah, Assistant Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Competitiveness and Knowledge Exchange and Chairman of the National Committee for Sustainable Development Goals, stressed that the UAE, with the vision of its wise leadership, has made government modernization and development a pillar of efforts to achieve comprehensive and sustainable development, and has established an advanced global approach to international cooperation and positive partnerships to build new and promising future opportunities, and open comprehensive cooperation horizons in various fields of government work through the government knowledge exchange portal at the global level, which represents one of the most important global programs to achieve The 17th Development Goal and turning it into reality Within the Sustainable Development Goals set by the United Nations until 2030.
During the session, Lootah stressed the importance of partnership in international events and forums aimed at enhancing opportunities for communication, cooperation and knowledge exchange, monitoring the positive effects of knowledge exchange among all partner parties, and exploring new partnerships for future cooperation that enhances sustainable development to serve communities around the world.
– Paving the way towards the future global agenda.
The session comes as a continuation of the discussions that took place during the "Sustainable Development Goals in Implementation" forum organized by the National Committee for Sustainable Development Goals in the UAE, under the slogan "Sustainable Development Goals 2045: Paving the Way Towards the Future Global Agenda", within the work of the World Government Summit 2024, with the aim of supporting the exchange of best practices to achieve the sustainable development goals and enhance global dialogue around them, and providing an opportunity for world leaders to propose innovative solutions to accelerate the implementation of development goals, face challenges and design future milestones. Sustainable subscriber.
– Global praise for the government’s knowledge exchange program.
Praised Representatives of governments and international organizations participating in the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development stressed the importance of the role of the Government Knowledge Exchange Program and its qualitative global achievements that affect government work models and contribute to capacity building and preparing institutional competencies in the fields of government work, which contributes to enhancing sustainable development efforts in the countries participating in the program.
Pedro Conceição, Director of the Human Development Report Office at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), stressed that the high-level political forum and the event organized by the UAE are an opportunity for learning and knowledge exchange as a framework for the successful achievement of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
For his part, Dr. Abdul Allah Al-Dardari, Director of the Regional Bureau for Arabic States of the United Nations Development Program, said: "I thank the UAE for launching this event and inviting UNDP to this very important dialogue. Following up on the dialogues that took place at the World Government Summit in Dubai, UNDP looks forward to developing an innovative global joint mechanism to support countries in transforming the government sector to be more flexibility, inclusiveness and efficiency."
H.E. Giovanni Basso, Deputy Director of UNHCR in New York, said: "With the number of refugees and displaced people around the world reaching nearly 120 million and their numbers continuing to rise over the past 12 years, we must not lose our focus on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. We must collaborate on Goal 17 by partnering to enable refugees to contribute to economies and social services, refugees must be part of the solutions and they have a lot to contribute."
– International partnerships for development after 2030.
For his part, Ambassador Osama Abdel Khaleq, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Egypt Arabic to the United Nations in New York, stressed that the participation of an expanded high-level Egyptian delegation in the World Government Summit held in Dubai confirms the extent of appreciation for the bilateral partnership in government development between the Republic of Egypt Arabic and the State of U.A.E., which he said has a very vital government.
For his part, HE Ambassador Yasar Aliyev, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the United Nations, said that his country and the UAE launched The year 2022 is a bilateral partnership track for knowledge exchange, sharing experiences in government services, capacity building and government excellence, which constituted an advanced qualitative step in the field of enhancing international cooperation between the governments of the two countries in government development and modernization.
His Excellency Ambassador Ernest Rwamusio, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Rwanda to the United Nations, expressed his hope that his country’s partnerships, including the level of the important bilateral partnership with the UAE, which was signed in February 2023 on the sidelines of the World Government Summit, will contribute to promoting and sustaining progress and growth, wishing to benefit from the eight main areas covered by the Rwandan-UAE bilateral partnership, especially at the level of government accelerators, citizen engagement, and women’s empowerment.
His Excellency Shukert Fafayev, Executive Director of the Reconstruction and Development Fund of the Republic of Uzbekistan, said that bilateral cooperation in government knowledge exchange between his country and the UAE is fruitful, practical and organized, and at the same time comprehensive and flexible, adapting to national and international transformations, such as the rapid developments in the uses of artificial intelligence.
H.E. Marta Arsowska expressed Tomovska, Advisor to the Speaker of the Parliament of the Republic of Serbia and Special Envoy for Expo 2027 in Belgrade, expressed Serbia’s gratitude for the qualitative partnership between her and the UAE, and for honoring her achievements at the level of government development and government innovation at the World Government Summit in Dubai, stressing that her country was inspired in presenting its bid to host Expo Serbia 2027 from the qualitative success of Expo 2020, which was hosted by the UAE, in which it focused on the future and sustainability.
– Practical examples of knowledge partnerships with countries and international organizations.
Members of the participating UAE delegation reviewed practical models and tangible achievements of fruitful and influential global partnerships with a number of countries around the world such as the Republic of Egypt Arabic, the Republic of Serbia, the Republic of Uzbekistan, Rwanda and Azerbaijan, in the presence of representatives of a number of UAE partner countries within the government knowledge exchange program.
– Emirati commitment and international impact.
The speakers presented the common points between the UAE Government Knowledge Exchange Program, which was launched in 2018 and works on more than 100 action tracks to enhance governance and accelerate the achievement of national and international agendas. Among the goals set and approved by the United Nations in 2016 to achieve sustainable development by 2030, especially the first and second goals to eradicate poverty and hunger, the thirteenth goal to promote climate action, the sixteenth goal to build peace, justice and strong institutions, and the seventeenth goal to establish partnerships to achieve the goals.
Participants stressed the role of knowledge exchange in consolidating the UAE’s commitment to building bridges and pillars of sustainable development around the world, based on the qualitative achievements made by the country in government excellence and economic development, noting the importance of exchanging knowledge, experiences and innovations in various government sectors, devoting best practices, and stimulating continuous innovation for sustainable growth at all levels.
– The United Nations High-Level Political Forum.
The High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) is the main platform of the United Nations on sustainable development issues and, since its establishment in 2012, has played a pivotal role in following up and reviewing what has been implemented at the country level in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The This edition of the International Forum is under the theme "Promoting the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Eradicating Poverty in Times of Multiple Crises: Effectively Implementing Sustainable, Resilient and Innovative Solutions".
Delegates participating in this year’s edition of the Forum worked on in-depth revisions of five of the Sustainable Development Goals: Goal 1 to eradicate poverty in all its forms everywhere, Goal 2 to end hunger, achieve food security, improve nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture, Goal 13 to support climate action and call for urgent action to combat climate change and its repercussions, and Goal 16 to promote peaceful and inclusive societies to achieve sustainable development, provide justice for all and build effective and efficient institutions. Performance; and Goal 17, which focuses on global partnerships to enhance the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.
UAE, UN Discuss SDG Cooperation at High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development
11 Jul 2024
The UAE delegation to the United Nations (UN) High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development met with the UN’s Deputy Secretary-General on Wednesday to discuss how to accelerate progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) over the next six years.
UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed met with the delegation, led by His Excellency Abdullah Nasser Lootah, Deputy Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Competitiveness and Experience Exchange, Chairman of the National Committee on Sustainable Development Goals, at the UN’s headquarters in New York.
Discussions centered on opportunities for knowledge exchange, international cooperation and partnerships that embody SDG17, partnerships for the goals. In the meeting, the UAE delegation presented some of the country’s initiatives designed to support inclusive development to benefit individuals, society and the planet, while preserving resources for future generations.
As well as Lootah, the delegation included Rashid Mubarak Al Mansouri, Acting Secretary-General of the Emirates Red Crescent, Mohammed Saif Al Suwaidi, Director-General of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, Lieutenant Colonel Dana Humaid Al Marzooqi, Director-General of International Affairs Bureau at the Ministry of Interior, and Hashem Al Attas, Senior Portfolio Manager MENA at Masdar.
Amina Mohammed said, “I look forward to continued cooperation with the UAE to accelerate sustainable development for the 2030 Agenda and beyond, ensuring a better future for communities around the world”.
Abdulla Nasser Lootah stated, “The UAE is committed to enhancing cooperation with the United Nations to eliminate poverty and hunger, promote climate action, establish strong and effective institutions, and create partnerships that support sustainable development goals”.
“Under the vision of its leadership, the UAE continues to establish strategic global partnerships, especially with UN development programs, to enhance knowledge exchange, stimulate sustainable development, and introduce innovative approaches – including the UAE’s – to achieving sustainable development”.
He added, “Today, after decades of hard work and close cooperation with countries, governments and organizations, the UAE has become a reliable global partner in achieving development goals and supporting peace, justice, and international institutions, including the United Nations”.
A large UAE delegation is participating in the UN HLPF on Sustainable Development, which runs until 17th July. Around 1,000 officials, experts, and specialists from around the world are taking part under the theme “Reinforcing the 2030 Agenda and eradicating poverty in times of multiple crises: the effective delivery of sustainable, resilient and innovative solutions”.
UAE Lays Out Priorities for Sustainable Development at UN High-Level Political Forum
10 Jul 2024
A delegation from the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday presented the country’s strategic vision for renewable energy, and climate action in the context of accelerating global progress towards Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through international partnerships.
The delegation was participating in the second day of the United Nations (UN) High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development, organised by the UN Economic and Social Affairs Department at its headquarters in New York and taking place until 17th July.
Representatives from the UAE presented at key sessions highlighting the UAE’s model for facilitating access to energy, eliminating poverty and hunger and securing a more climate resilient future.
A global model in setting development priorities
His Excellency Abdullah Nasser Lootah, Deputy Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Competitiveness and Experience Exchange, Chairman of the National Committee on Sustainable Development Goals, said the UAE has set a global precedent in identifying development priorities. These priorities include building sustainable healthcare systems, creating energy and climate solutions, and forging strategic partnerships with countries, governments, UN programmes, and international organisations to support progress on SDGs in line with the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
He said, "The UAE has invested heavily in healthcare, renewable energy, and climate action and began implementing global best practices in sustainable development long back and even before the UN adopted the 17 SDGs in 2016. Today, as we approach the 2030 deadline for achieving SDGs, the UAE continues to intensify partnerships and expand their scopes to boost international efforts”.
He added, “The UAE’s participation at the forum aims to highlight these urgent priorities, especially within developing countries, and explore opportunities to enhance cooperation around SDGs, especially focusing on ending hunger and poverty, accelerating climate mitigation, and supporting peace, justice, and strong institutions. The UAE looks forward to further progress on this path and we firmly believe collaboration is the fastest way to achieve SDGs”.
Tripling renewable energy capacity
The delegation participated in a session titled “Tripling Renewable Energy Capacity and Accelerating Just Energy Transitions in the Global South”, where Lootah presented the country’s commitment to tripling renewable energy capacity and doubling energy efficiency by 2030, a pledge made by 130 countries at COP28 in Dubai.
Climate and healthcare
In cooperation with the World Health Organisation (WHO), the UAE delegation organised a session on mitigating climate change impact and enhancing global healthcare outcomes.
During the session, Dr. Alanoud Alhaj, Assistant Under-Secretary for Green Development and Climate Change at the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, said, “The UAE climate action centres around Sustainable Development Goals that enable access to healthcare, adequate and affordable food, quality education, and increased resource efficiency, among other vital aims. During the UN High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, we stressed that the UAE is committed to ensuring food security for all and remain steadfast in our pursuit of SDG2: Zero Hunger. Through strategic planning, innovative solutions, and international cooperation, we are making tangible progress towards ending hunger, enhancing food security, and promoting sustainable agriculture globally”.
She added, “As we navigate the complexities of global warming and environmental degradation, we cannot overlook how these issues impact economic, social, and health-related outcomes. To tackle these, we need a unified strategy for sustainable development. SDG 13 which calls to limit and adapt to climate change is particularly linked with goals that address water scarcity, hunger, health, and economic growth, among others”.
National Statistics reviews national efforts to support statistical work at the state level
10 Jul 2024
The National Statistics Committee held its first meeting at the headquarters of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Center in Dubai, to discuss efforts to support national strategies that serve the integration of statistical work at the state level and achieve global statistical excellence to serve development programs at the national and international levels.
The meeting discussed the importance of intensifying efforts to raise the efficiency of the statistical system, enhance cooperation frameworks and effective partnerships between local statistical centers and other entities, to implement joint projects and initiatives in the statistics and data science sector, and develop continuous assessments of renewable needs at the level of the UAE.
The meeting was chaired by H.E. Hanan Mansour Ahli, Director of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Center, and attended by H.E. Sheikh Sultan bin Abdul Allah bin Salem Al Qasimi, Director of the Department of Statistics and Community Development in Sharjah, H.E. Yusuf Fahad, Executive Director of the Statistics Sector at SCAD, H.E. Younis Al Nasser, CEO of Dubai Data and Statistics Establishment, H.E. Dr. Hajar Al Hubaishi, Executive Director of Ajman Statistics Center, and H.E. Dr. Ibrahim Saad Mohamed Director General of Fujairah Statistics Center, and His Excellency Abdulrahman Al-Shayeb Al Naqbi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Ras Al Khaimah Statistics Center.
The members of the National Committee for Statistics approved the strategic national projects for the statistics sector in the country, which will support the processes of harmonization and unification of frameworks and methodologies between local statistical centers, in an effort to produce a unified number at the state level with high quality, characterized by integration and comprehensiveness, and in line with the best international practices with the optimal exploitation of new data sources as an important tributary to statistical data sources that reflect the success of economic sectors in order to serve the promotion of investments and attract capital, entrepreneurs and innovative projects to State.
H.E. Hanan Mansour Ahli, Director of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Center, Chairman of the National Statistics Committee, said: "The UAE is a global model in activating an integrated statistical system, with effective efforts and unlimited support from the wise leadership and local statistical centers, and this is evident in the priorities of the National Statistics Committee, which contribute to enhancing the UAE’s competitiveness in the statistical field and leading global efforts towards Creating an integrated and contemporary national statistical system that measures the country’s progress in data science and artificial intelligence."
Ahli added: "The adoption of the national project to develop the methodology for measuring GDP represents the basis for designing the future of the statistical system, to achieve the optimal measurement of the positive growth of vital economic sectors and activities in the country, and for the national economy to continue its exceptional performance in light of the economic policies pursued by the UAE government."
His Excellency Sheikh Sultan bin Abdul Allah bin Salem Al Qasimi, Director of the Department of Statistics and Community Development in Sharjah, stressed the Department’s keenness to strengthen coordination and integration mechanisms with the authorities concerned with statistical work at the state level, and to improve work at the local and federal levels, which contributes to harnessing data to serve the development of vital sectors for the prosperity and quality of life of community members.
H.E. Abdulla Gharib Al Qamzi, Acting Director General of SCAD, stressed the need to unify visions on the priorities of developing the statistical work system, consolidate effective partnerships that support investment in data science and statistics, and encourage the optimal use of technologies. Modern and innovative in coordination with members of the National Statistics Committee in the UAE.
His Excellency Younis Al Nasser, CEO of Dubai Data and Statistics Establishment, said: "We, at Digital Dubai and Dubai Data and Statistics Establishment (DDA), are pleased to be at the forefront of every federal effort that enhances our common orientations in the field of data science and its various applications, and we believe that the National Statistics Committee represents a successful embodiment of this integrated central approach."
He added, "This committee works according to a strategic vision based on supporting a strong national environment in the field of data, which is the essence of the digital age, and it seeks to apply the best standards and draw inspiration from the best international experiences in order to propose innovative solutions to meet current and future challenges, taking into account global changes, especially in the field of emerging and renewable technologies."
Her Excellency Dr. Hajar Al Hubaishi, Executive Director of Ajman Statistics Center, said: "The high level of coordination between statistical centers in the UAE through the National Statistics Committee contributes to enhancing the role of statistics in foreseeing the future at the level of all vital sectors, and providing accurate data and reliable statistics to support National Strategic Planning and Decision Making Processes."
His Excellency Dr. Ibrahim Saad Mohamed, Director General of Fujairah Statistics Center, praised the importance of integrating the statistical work system in the UAE, and the need to focus on adopting the best standards and methodologies used and adopted globally in statistical work, in collecting, analyzing and disseminating national data periodically.
His Excellency Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Shayeb Al Naqbi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Ras Al Khaimah Statistics Center, praised the importance of the meetings of the National Statistics Committee, as they are a national mechanism to set priorities and develop integrated plans, to ensure the organization of joint statistical work in order to achieve the strategic objectives of the statistical system in the UAE. The
National Statistics Committee, affiliated to the Council of Ministers, coordinates national efforts, promotes integration and cooperation in the field of statistical work between the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Center and local statistical centers, and develops national policies, programs and strategies to publish the UAE’s unified numbers, in accordance with international standards.
The National Committee on SDGs Discusses UAE’s Efforts in Monitoring Indicators for Achieving Development Goals
06 May 2024
The National Committee on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) emphasised the need to intensify efforts and accelerate implementation to achieve the desired progress in the 2030 sustainable development agenda nationally. This entails closely monitoring progress regarding the 17 goals 231 indicators, capitalising on opportunities, and fostering cooperation between the government and private sectors.
The committee also discussed its mandate and responsibilities, highlighting its crucial role in translating the UAE’s directives and bolstering its involvement in international endeavours towards achieving global sustainable development goals.
This came during the inaugural meeting of the National Committee for Sustainable Development Goals under its new formation, led by His Excellency Abdulla Nasser Lootah, Deputy Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Competitiveness and Knowledge Exchange, Chairman of the National Committee on SDGs.
The Committee’s members include HE Brigadier General Dr. Rashid Al Dakhri, Deputy Director of the General Department of Strategy and Performance Development at the Ministry of Interior; HE Maria Hanif Al-Qassim, Assistant Undersecretary for the Policy and Economic Studies at the Ministry of Economy; HE Hassan Obaid Al Mheiri, Assistant Undersecretary for Planning and Educational Services Sector at the Ministry of Education; HE Ahmed Al Nasser, Assistant Undersecretary of National Human Resources Development at the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation; HE Dr Hussain Al Rand, Assistant Undersecretary for the Public Health Sector at the Ministry of Health and Prevention; HE Nasser Ismail, Assistant Undersecretary of Social Welfare at the Ministry of Community Development; HE Alia Abdul Rahim Al Harmoudi, Assistant Undersecretary for the Sustainable Communities Sector at the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment; HE Hanan Mansour Ahli, Director of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre (FCSC); HE Nawal Alhanaee, Director of Future Energy Department at the Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure; HE Rashid Al Humairi, Director of the Department of Development and International Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and Shatha AlHashmi, Advisor at the Government Experience Exchange Office, Committee Rapporteur.
The National Committee for SDGs undertakes several main tasks, including: coordinating with relevant entities to align and review national policies, strategies, and targets with the sustainable development goals; building and strengthening national capabilities to achieve sustainable development goals and addressing challenges through partnerships locally and globally; preparing national reports on the country’s progress and efforts to achieve SDGs; and coordinating with authorities to compile and publish related data on SDGs at the UAE level.
Abdulla Lootah emphasised that the UAE’s leadership prioritises the attainment of sustainable development goals, adopting a vision centred on accelerating their achievement and enhancing international participation in these endeavours. He noted that the announcement made by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE in 2024, as an extension of the Year of Sustainability declared in 2023, reaffirms the UAE’s steadfast commitment in this area.
Lootah stated that since its formation, the National Committee for Sustainable Development Goals has consistently aligned with the country’s directives and national initiatives aimed at realising the SDGs. Additionally, it has actively contributed to enhancing the UAE’s involvement and leadership in supporting international initiatives towards these objectives. He emphasised the significance of the committee’s efforts in expanding project initiatives, launching new programmes, and intensifying actions to monitor progress in achieving development goals at the national level, thereby accelerating their fulfilment across various sectors.
During the meeting, the members of the National Committee for Sustainable Development Goals discussed the role of the Committee’s General Secretariat and the responsibilities of its members. They received an update on the progress of the UAE in achieving the SDGs and discussed the Committee members’ role in advancing these goals and accelerating the pace of work towards their achievement.
The meeting reviewed the efforts of the General Secretariat since the committee’s new formation, including its organisation of introductory and technical meetings in collaboration with the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre. These meetings focused on discussing the national Data plan for SDGs and reviewing the achievements of ministries and government entities in implementing their indicators.
The attendees discussed the outcomes of the progress report on the adoption of the national plan for sustainable development data, as well as the mechanisms for monitoring goal achievement and conducting periodic reviews with technical work teams to assess progress levels. They also addressed the key initiatives launched and facilitated by the General Secretariat of the National Committee.
Additionally, the meeting reviewed the outcomes of the SDGs in Action Forum, held as part of the World Governments Summit activities, the SDG Young Leaders Programme, and the UAE’s participation in two Voluntary National Reviews assessing global sustainable development goal achievement levels. They also discussed the readiness to submit the voluntary review in 2026 and preparations to participate in the Science, Technology and Innovation Forum for SDGs and the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development in the United Nations.
The National Committee on SDGs was established to implement the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals at the national level. Its objectives include aligning the UAE’s priorities with those of the United Nations, as well as facilitating the exchange of experiences among local and international stakeholders and partners. This aims to broaden the pool of active participants in implementing the United Nations’ agenda for SDGs.
The UAE Joins United Nations Statistical Commission As Member
05 May 2024
The United Nations has selected the UAE as a member of the Statistical Commission, one of the eight technical committees affiliated with the Organization’s Economic and Social Council, for its next session from 2025 to 2028. This membership marks a significant milestone for the country, being the first of its kind since the Commission’s founding in 1946.
The country’s selection for membership in the United Nations Statistical Commission aligns with efforts to enhance the UAE’s participation in international initiatives. It also provides an international platform for sharing the UAE’s advanced models, thereby enhancing the efficiency and accuracy of statistical analysis worldwide. Additionally, it supports the establishment of digital platforms for data exchange.
The Statistical Commission, composed of 24 countries elected by the United Nations Economic and Social Council, stands as the apex of the global statistical system. Serving as the primary entity uniting senior statisticians and experts, it holds responsibility for decision-making regarding international statistical activities, as well as for developing statistical standards and ensuring their implementation on both national and international levels.
H.E. Hanan Mansour Ahli, Director of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre (FCSC), affirmed that the UAE’s election to membership in the United Nations Statistical Commission reflects the nation’s leadership in digitalising the statistical system and its prominent global standing. This achievement underscores the wise leadership’s commitment to bolstering the country’s active involvement in enhancing government operations overall, as well as strengthening the statistical sector’s capabilities both nationally and internationally.
Hanan Ahli highlighted that the statistical system in the UAE, supported by local statistical centres, harnesses technology, digital solutions, and artificial intelligence techniques. This transformation has evolved the system from a mere collector of information and data to an integrated platform supporting strategic planning and nurturing innovative solutions to address future challenges. This process relies on a scientific and practical methodology in data analysis.
She pointed out that the UAE’s membership in the United Nations Statistical Commission will serve as a crucial platform for sharing distinguished Emirati experiences and exchanging statistical knowledge with countries possessing exemplary expertise in this domain.
Mohammed Hassan, Executive Director of the Statistics and Data Science Sector at FCSC, emphasised that the UAE’s election as the only Gulf country to the United Nations Statistical Commission reflects its effective role in developing solutions for utilising data to support the achievement of global sustainable development goals. This is evidenced by its embrace of the UN’s Regional Hub for Big Data for Sustainable Development platform, which aims to enhance the capabilities of the statistical community in the Middle East and North Africa region and leverage big data and artificial intelligence techniques to advance the statistics sector.
The UAE’s membership in the United Nations Statistical Commission supports its contribution to leading global statistical thought. It enables effective participation in decision-making for global statistical activities, fosters the development of statistical standards, concepts, and methods, and offers opportunities to learn about the best international statistical practices, standards, and methodologies. Moreover, it facilitates the adoption and adaptation of best practices developed by countries worldwide in the field of statistics, in collaboration with international organisations.
The country’s membership amplifies efforts to showcase the UAE’s achievements in developing the statistics and data sector, share its distinguished Emirati experience in this field, and raise awareness of the role of artificial intelligence solutions, laws, and legislation in advancing statistical work for future endeavours.
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