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Media Center

DATA FOR A BETTER FUTURE

Press Release
UAE Identifies Priorities for Achieving Sustainable Development
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09 Jul 2024
The United Arab Emirates delegation to the United Nations’ High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development has reiterated its commitment to international partnerships in support of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
During a session titled “Unlocking Investments for the SDGs”, His Excellency Abdullah Nasser Lootah, Deputy Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Competitiveness and Experience Exchange, and Chairman of the National Committee on Sustainable Development Goals, stressed that the UAE recognizes the magnitude of the challenges facing the SDGs and has created global programs and investment tools in response.
Lootah added: “The UAE has adopted a comprehensive approach to accelerating the implementation of SDGs as we count down to 2030. It will continue to forge regional and international partnerships with both the public and private sectors to accelerate progress towards achieving SDGs by 2030, including partnerships that improve quality of life and contribute to eradicating poverty. The UAE’s development programs and investments extend beyond its borders to many countries worldwide. It has forged partnerships with governments, development banks, and private sector institutions to achieve as much impact as quickly as possible”.
During the session, Lootah highlighted a range of initiatives implemented by national entities such as the Emirates Red Crescent, the Ministry of Interior, the Abu Dhabi Development Fund, the Government Experience Exchange Programme, Masdar, and the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives.
The session was attended by government officials and representatives of international authorities and organizations. It focused on revitalizing global partnerships for sustainable development, a priority outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals 2024 Report launched by António Guterres, Secretary-General of the UN in June, and highlighted opportunities and challenges around bridging the global financial gap when it comes to achieving SDGs, with a focus on activating the role of international and multilateral financial institutions.
The UAE’s Participation on the First Day
The UAE delegation on the first day of the forum participated in sessions that focused on SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), sustainable growth, energy transition and climate action. Additionally, the delegation held numerous bilateral meetings with delegations from participating countries, institutions, and organizations.
Since its establishment in 2012, the High-Level Political Forum has served as the primary platform for the United Nations to discuss sustainable development. It plays a central role in monitoring and reviewing the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Under the theme of ‘Accelerating the recovery from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at all levels’, this year’s forum will review in-depth SDGs 1, 2, 13, 16, and 17.

UAE participates in UN High-Level Political Forum from 8 to 17 July
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07 Jul 2024

The U.A.E. will participate with a large government delegation in the work of the "High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development", organized by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs at its headquarters in New York from July 8 to 17. The forum, which is being held this year 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", with the participation and attendance of more than 1,000 delegates and delegates from various governments of the world and international organizations, aims to promote sustainable development, follow up global efforts in this regard, anticipate current and emerging challenges and innovate solutions to them, by exchanging knowledge on the best experiences and expertise, coordinating and evaluating policies and supporting global efforts to accelerate the achievement of the goals Sustainable development for the good of societies. The UAE delegation will participate in key working sessions, multiple seminars and a series of bilateral meetings, during which it will present the UAE’s pioneering experiences and its distinguished model in achieving the path of sustainable development, which succeeded in bringing together Development initiatives, financing programs, development assistance and strategic partnerships with countries and governments of the world and international organizations and highlighting their distinguished efforts in supporting the transformation of the 17 basic goals set by the United Nations to reach an effective system for sustainable global development by the end of the current decade. The UAE delegation to the High-Level Political Forum includes a number of government officials, representatives of the National Committee for Sustainable Development Goals, the Government Knowledge Exchange Office, the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Center at the Ministry of Cabinet Affairs, the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, Masdar, the Emirates Red Crescent Authority, and the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, in coordination with the Permanent Mission of the UAE to the United Nations. The UAE government delegation will hold a series of bilateral meetings with leaders, political officials and experts from international organizations, institutions and global working groups that support societies and countries to achieve the sustainable development goals, and the delegation will also present a range of initiatives, programs and success stories implemented by UAE entities in various fields of sustainable development around the world. U.A.E A key supporter of the development goals Abdullah Nasser Lootah, Assistant Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Knowledge Exchange and Competitiveness, stressed that the UAE, under the directives of its wise leadership, has established its leading position on the world map as a key partner and key international supporter to achieve the 17 sustainable development goals set by the United Nations until 2030, and that its tireless participation in the forum in the forum reflects its keenness to exchange knowledge and share successful experiences and best practices with world governments and international organizations to improve the lives of peoples and societies. Lootah added that the UAE adopts the approach of achieving sustainable development as a humanitarian mission to improve its society and the societies of the world and enhance human life, and invests great efforts in this in cooperation with various countries of the world, international organizations, and institutions concerned with supporting development, and works to launch qualitative initiatives and programs and provide funding contributions and humanitarian assistance in order to reach the sustainable development goals by the end of the current decade, based on the values of cooperation, partnership, exchange of knowledge, sharing best practices and distinguished experiences, providing support and working on Laying the foundations for impactful institutional action, It achieves sustainable and inclusive development, improves education and health care, promotes equal opportunities, conserves natural resources and protects the environment for future generations." Abdullah Lootah said: "The participation of the UAE government delegation in the United Nations High-Level Political Forum on Sustainability this year aims to strengthen the UAE’s international partnerships in the field of sustainable development, which is in line with the seventeenth goal of the Sustainable Development Goals, which is to strengthen and activate global partnerships between governments, countries and communities to achieve sustainable development. Continuous regulatory frameworks, policies and legislation, as well as partnerships and the use of technology, especially the use of artificial intelligence, and the activation of data in the service of achieving inclusive global sustainable development that creates opportunities and protects the planet’s resources." United Nations High-level Political Forum The High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development is the main platform of the United Nations. On sustainable development issues. Since its inception 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 is 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". Throughout the 8-17 July 2024 edition, delegates participating in this year’s edition of the Forum will work on in-depth revisions of five of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): 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 development. Goal 17, which focuses on global partnerships to promote the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. Proactive meeting of the National Committee for Sustainable Development Goals The National Committee for Sustainable Development Goals preceded the participation of the UAE government delegation in the work of the United Nations High-Level Political Forum, with a preparatory meeting for the members of the Committee, before the delegation’s departure to New York, during which it discussed the agenda and agenda of the UAE’s participation in the forum, reviewed the UAE’s performance in the reports of indicators of sustainable development goals, and the data that has been provided and improved, as well as a number of files related to the work of the Committee. The meeting reviewed the report of the Sustainable Development Goals Index issued by the Sustainable Development Solutions Network for the year 2024, pointing to the performance of the UAE, which ranked 70th globally, 3rd regionally and Arably, and first in the Gulf, reflecting the country’s commitment to achieving the goals and strengthening its position globally. The meeting discussed plans, workshops and initiatives that are being implemented to enhance the quality of data and achieve progress in goals, and challenges in data collection, including the need to review data with international organizations, remove some indicators that do not apply to the UAE, and formulate indicators in line with the laws of the country. Coordination and cooperation between government and private entities to ensure the collection of consistent and analyzable data in a uniform manner. The meeting was attended by Abdul Allah Lootah, Assistant Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Competitiveness and Knowledge Exchange and Chairman of the National Committee for Sustainable Development Goals, Rashid Mohamed Al Hemeiri, Director of the Development and International Cooperation Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Hussein Abdul Rahman Al Rand, Assistant Undersecretary for the Public Health Sector at the Ministry of Health and Prevention, Hassan Obaid Al Muhairi, Assistant Undersecretary for the Policies and Economic Studies Sector at the Ministry of Education, Nasser Ismail, Assistant Undersecretary for Social Welfare Affairs at the Ministry of Community Development, Maria Hanif Al Qassim. Assistant Undersecretary for Economic Policies and Studies Sector at the Ministry of Economy, Eng. Alia Abdul Rahim Al Harmoodi, Assistant Undersecretary for Sustainable Communities Sector at the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, Eng. Nawal Yusuf Al Hinai, Director of the Future Energy Department at the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, Hanan Ahli, Director of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Center at the Ministry of Cabinet Affairs, and Mohammed Ahli, Executive Director of the Statistics and Data Science Sector At the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Center. ​​

UAE Private Sector ‘is An Engine of Change’ Critical to SDGs – UN Bodies
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30 Jun 2024
​The private sector “is an engine of change and sustainable development” and has a critical role to play in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) according to business leaders speaking at a workshop organized by the General Secretariat of the National Committee on Sustainable Development Goals and the UN Global Compact in the UAE.
The workshop took place on recently, ahead of the United Nations High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, which takes place in New York on 8-17 July under the theme "Reinforcing the 2030 Agenda and eradicating poverty in times of multiple crisis: the effective delivery of sustainable, resilient and innovative solutions”.
There, business leaders will present the ideas discussed during the Dubai workshop, which aimed to highlight the role of the private sector in achieving SDGs 1 (No Poverty), 2 (Zero Hunger), 13 (Climate Action), 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions) and 17 (Partnerships for Goals). Executives from more than 80 companies attended the workshop to share best practices, exchange knowledge and provide solutions and recommendations to support SDGs.
His Excellency Abdullah Nasser Lootah, Chairman of the National Committee on Sustainable Development Goals, said: “The UAE’s decision to extend the Year of Sustainability to include 2024 reflects the leadership’s commitment to promoting sustainable practices within society, which directly supports national efforts in achieving SDGs. Achieving SDGs can only come from collective effort, so strengthening partnerships between the public and private sectors is vital to a more sustainable and prosperous future”.
Eng. Waleed Salman, Chairman of the Board of the UN Global Compact Network in the UAE, commented: “Our shared commitment to SDGs underscores how important it is to engage and consult the private sector, which is a key driver of transformative change, especially through innovation. In this sense, companies in the UAE are uniquely positioned to lead the way, demonstrating how sustainable business practices can drive global progress and contribute to a brighter future for all”.
Other attendees to the workshop included Anita Lebiar, Head of the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia at the United Nations Global Compact. Bérangère Boëll, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in the United Arab Emirates, Omar Khan, Head of the Centre for Business Studies and Research at the Dubai Chamber of Commerce, and Mark Esposito, Professor of Public Policy at Mohammed Bin Rashid School of Government and faculty affiliate at Harvard Center for International Development at Harvard Kennedy School.
Participants attended a roundtable discussing the results of a survey in which local businesses were asked about their experiences in adopting SDGs, including their challenges, successful initiatives and best practices.

UAE advances 3 places, ranking 7th globally in 2024 World Competitiveness Report
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18 Jun 2024
DUBAI, 18th June, 2024  His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, stated that the UAE, under the leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and through the dedicated efforts of its people, continues to improve its standing each year, achieving higher ranks across various global competitiveness indicators.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid said, "In one of the most important global competitiveness reports issued by the International Institute for Management Development in Switzerland, the UAE moved up three places, reaching seventh place globally. The UAE is also among the top ten globally in more than 90 key and sub-indicators in the 2024 World Competitiveness Report."
His Highness said, "Our thanks and appreciation go to all the teams in the government, economic, and development sectors who work with one spirit to achieve a single goal: the progress of the United Arab Emirates."
Building on last year’s achievement of entering the top 10, the UAE made a notable leap in the 2024 World Competitiveness report, advancing three positions to 7th place worldwide, ahead of Norway, Iceland, Japan, Canada and Finland.
The UAE performed exceptionally across various pillars of the report, ranking 2nd globally in Economic Performance, 4th in Government Efficiency, 10th in Business Efficiency.
Mohammad bin Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs, stated, "The UAE’s continuous presence at the forefront of this significant report reflects its status as one of the world’s most competitive economies. The exceptional vision and wise leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the guidance of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, have made the UAE a pioneering developmental model adaptable to ongoing global changes. This demonstrates the efficiency of the UAE government system, the flexibility of its business environment, and the readiness of its infrastructure."
Commenting on the results, Hanan Mansour Ahli, Managing Director of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre, praised the integration and governance of real-time data and statistics exchange between federal and local entities. Ahli said, "This achievement is due to dedicated teams committed to implementing the vision and directives of the government of the future, reinforcing the UAE’s leadership. These results reflect the solid principles of the competitiveness culture in the UAE.”
Top Rankings in Key Indicators
The World Competitiveness Report classifies the countries based on four main pillars and 20 sub-pillars encompassing 336 competitive indicators across various economic, administrative, and social fields, including government efficiency, education, and innovation. In this year’s report, the UAE advanced in all four main pillars.
The UAE ranked among the top 10 globally in over 90 key and sub-indicators. The UAE ranked 1st globally in 11 indicators including industrial disputes, labour force (%), employment (%), and household consumption expenditure- real growth.
The UAE secured 2nd place globally in 9 indicators, including tourism receipts, females in parliament, labour force growth, adaptably of government policy, and absence of bureaucracy.
The UAE ranked 3rd globally in 6 indicators including collected capital and property taxes, immigration laws, management of cities and percentage of government budget surplus.
The UAE also achieved 4th place in 12 indicators including consumer price inflation, long-term unemployment, international experience, overall productivity (ppp), labour regulation, and the balance of commercial services and employment in the public sector.
The UAE also achieved 5th place in 13 indicators including GDP (PPP) per capita, quality of air transportation, energy infrastructure, graduates in sciences, start-up procedures, unemployment legislation, foreign highly-skilled personnel, national culture, unemployment rate and tax evasion.
First published in 1989, the IMD World Competitiveness report is a comprehensive annual report and a global benchmark on the competitiveness of countries.
It offers insights into trends, benchmarking, and a wealth of statistics and survey data derived from extensive research. The report analyses and ranks countries based on their ability to manage competencies for sustainable long-term value creation.

The FCSC Hosts IMF for Workshop on Advanced Practices in Measuring Inflation and CPI Statistics
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03 Jun 2024

In a strategic initiative to advance the UAE’s statistical capabilities, the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre (FCSC) hosted an expert technical mission from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). This mission conducted an advanced workshop focused on the application of the latest international practices and technologies in calculating inflation rates and the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The workshop brought together leading experts in inflation statistics and CPI from local statistical centres across the UAE.
The objective was to integrate latest statistical tools, innovative data sources, and the use of scanner data to enhance the accuracy, timeliness, and comprehensiveness of national statistics. This initiative underscores the commitment to leveraging sophisticated statistical infrastructure to inform policy-making, strategic planning, and national development.
In its effort to continue adhering to the highest international standards and methodologies for statistical indicators, the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre emphasised that fostering international cooperation is paramount, especially as the UAE prepares to serve as a member of the United Nations Statistical Commission from 2025 to 2028. The goal is to innovate and standardise national methodologies in partnership with local statistical centres, while enhancing the use of advanced technologies and modern practices in statistical data production. This strategic focus ensures that the UAE’s statistical outputs are both robust and globally competitive.
His Excellency Mohammad Hassan, Executive Director of Statistics and Data Science Sector at the FCSC, stated: "Our successful partnership with the International Monetary Fund underscores our unwavering commitment to establishing a world-class statistical system. By leveraging global expertise and applying top standards and practices, we aim to enhance the efficiency and capabilities of the UAE’s national statistical system. Additionally, we embrace the latest technologies in data science and artificial intelligence to produce unified Emirati statistics that align with the visionary leadership and strategic goals of the country”.
Ms. Fayeqa Abdulla, Director of Economic Statistics at the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre, highlighted the importance of continuously investing in developing statistical capabilities to keep pace with global advancements in utilizing modern techniques in data science for collecting, analyzing, and producing official statistics in the UAE, in collaboration with local statistical centers.
This workshop builds on the momentum of a recent national workshop hosted by the FCSC on measuring and calculating trade-in-services indicators, conducted in collaboration with the International Monetary Fund and esteemed international organizations such as the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). 
This initiative reflects the UAE’s unwavering dedication to forging robust partnerships and engaging with international and regional organizations. By actively promoting knowledge and experience exchange, the UAE aims to adopt best practices in digital transformation and ensure the application of global standards in data collection and statistical methodologies.

National Committee on SDGs Discusses Enhancing Partnerships with International Organisations and Government Officials
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28 May 2024
The National Committee on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) discussed strengthening global partnerships and cooperation to achieve development goals in meetings with representatives of international organisations and government officials from several countries. These discussions were part of the committee’s delegation’s participation in the ninth annual UN Multi-stakeholder Forum on Science, Technology, and Innovation for the Sustainable Development Goals (STI Forum), which recently took place in New York.
The theme for the STI Forum 2024 was: ‘Science, technology, and innovation for reinforcing the 2030 Agenda and eradicating poverty in times of multiple crises: the effective delivery of sustainable, resilient, and innovative solutions’. The forum served as a vital platform for global leaders, decision-makers, and experts to exchange knowledge and explore opportunities for cooperation and effective partnerships.
The forum aimed to unify efforts and develop relevant scientific and innovative technologies in pursuit of achieving SDGs, while highlighting the crucial role of science and technology in building a prosperous future and confronting global challenges effectively.
His Excellency Abdulla Nasser Lootah, Chairman of the National Committee on SDGs, emphasised the significance of international forums in fostering meaningful cooperation between organisations and governments. He noted that the forum presented an invaluable opportunity to exchange visions and share ideas, thereby accelerating the achievement of development goals.
Lootah stated that the UAE has achieved tangible milestones by employing technology and innovation tools, integrating them into its public policies and future strategies to advance the process of achieving sustainable development goals. He underscored the UAE’s commitment to sustainable development across economic, social, and environmental dimensions, considering it a primary pillar in its future directions and visions. This commitment is pursued through innovative methodologies, clear visions, and strategic plans aimed at benefiting society.
During the participation in the STI Forum, the UAE delegation held several meetings with ministers, officials of international organisations, experts, specialists and representatives of parties concerned with the SDGs globally. 
During a meeting with H.E. Jelena Begović, Minister of Science, Technological Development, and Innovation of Serbia, the UAE delegation reviewed the pioneering role of the UAE in supporting the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals 2030, as well as innovative transformational projects across various sectors such as development, investment, and education. The attendees stressed the importance of scientific research in the progress of countries and societies, as well as in achieving SDGs. They also emphasised the necessity of enabling researchers to access sources of funding for scientific research.
The delegation also met with H.E. Pedro Conceição, Director of the Human Development Report Office at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), during which the two sides discussed the significance of exchanging global knowledge and expertise for development and prosperity, particularly in the realm of artificial intelligence mechanisms and solutions, as well as in addressing the challenges posed by climate change. The attendees emphasised the importance of strengthening efforts to achieve SDGs to ensure the advancement of human development and enhance the quality of life in societies.
The National Committee on SDGs discussed with H.E. Juan José Martínez Badillo, Chief of United Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), New York office, the development of effective models to enhance areas such as foreign investment and food security in countries with economies similar to the UAE. They also emphasised the importance of intensifying efforts and coordination with relevant entities in these countries to provide necessary data and statistics for implementing innovative solutions and high-impact initiatives to accelerate the achievement of the SDGs globally. 
At a meeting with H.E. Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the delegation reviewed the ‘Global Digital Rights Charter’, which is concerned with bridging the digital divide worldwide and ensuring an open, free, and secure digital future for all, as it leverages scientific and technological developments to identify and address global challenges effectively.
The STI Forum centred its discussions on the Sustainable Development Goals, whose progress will be assessed during the 2024 High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, scheduled from July 8 to 17, 2024. Particularly, attention will be given to Sustainable Development Goals 1, 2, 13, 16, and 17.
During the forum sessions, speakers underscored the importance of utilising tools and mechanisms, including scientific research and its applications, to establish a strong foundation. They emphasised the need to support, enhance, and accelerate mechanisms for implementing effective measures at both national and international levels, thereby advancing sustainable development goals and fostering societal prosperity.
The forum, held at the invitation of H.E. Paula Narváez, President of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), was overseen by the United Nations joint working group dedicated to science, technology, and innovation for the achievement of sustainable development goals.

Within the «Sustainability Journeys». Afforestation Week launched in Dubai schools
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24 May 2024
​​General Secretariat of the National Committee for Sustainable Development Goals organized a new trip as part of the "Sustainability Trips" campaign, which was launched last year as part of the "Sustainability Initiatives" in support of the Year of Sustainability, announced by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, may God protect him, under the slogan "Today for Tomorrow", as part of the UAE government’s efforts to enhance community awareness of sustainability and the importance of achieving it, and to support the country’s achievements and successes in the 17 goals. Global to ensure the prosperity and quality of life of society.
The General Secretariat of the National Committee for Sustainable Development Goals, in cooperation with the Knowledge and Human Development Authority and Dubai Municipality, and with the participation of Dubai schools, launched the "Afforestation Week" campaign, which will continue until May 28, by planting seedlings in Dubai schools organized by Dubai Municipality.
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 sustainability travel initiatives are continuing to implement their strategy and achieve their goals in the UAE. It will contribute to the integration of our joint efforts at the state level, to motivate community members to adopt a conscious and sustainable lifestyle, for a brighter and more prosperous future.
Aisha Abdulla Meeran, Director General of the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) in Dubai, said: "We are delighted to participate in this wonderful initiative, in collaboration with our colleagues from supporting institutions and the educational community in Dubai, and we encourage educational institutions in Dubai to join such pioneering initiatives, which contribute to raising awareness among our students and society about sustainability and ways to preserve the environment in the UAE in order to ensure a prosperous future for future generations."
Initiative In the same context, Dawood Al Hajri, Director General of Dubai Municipality, said: "The initiative reflects Dubai Municipality’s strategic efforts to preserve natural resources and expand cultivated green spaces, by following the best international standards and practices, which contribute to enhancing the sustainability of the environmental system in Dubai, improving air and soil quality, in addition to beautifying the city, while providing the best levels of quality of life for its residents, in a way that supports the municipality’s objectives in building a sustainable system for the environment and resources. Naturalism makes Dubai more attractive and sustainable every day."
He added: "Dubai Municipality has played an effective role in the cultivation and afforestation work over the past years, as it planted 170,339 trees in 2021 to reach 185,000 trees by the end of last year, which is a reflection of its intensive efforts to increase the per capita share of green spaces in balance with the population growth and urban expansion of the emirate."
It is worth noting that the National Committee for Sustainable Development Goals was formed with the aim of implementing the Sustainable Development Goals 2030, aligning the UAE’s priorities with the UN goals, and exchanging experiences with local and international partners, to expand the circle of active participants in the implementation of the United Nations Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals.

The National Committee on SDGs adopts the national data action plan to achieve the 2030 UN Goals
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22 Feb 2024

The first meeting of 2024 for the UAE National Committee on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) took place during the "SDGs in Action Forum" at the World Governments Summit held in Dubai from February 12 to 14.

Abdulla Nasser Lootah, Deputy Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Competitiveness and Knowledge Exchange, Vice Chairman of the National Committee on SDGs, emphasised the importance of collaboration between all government bodies, and intensifying national efforts to achieve the sustainable development goals, and work to support partnerships to target the UAE sustainable development agenda.

The meeting was chaired by Her Excellency Hanan Mansour Ahli, Director of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre (FCSC), who holds the role of the secretariat of the National Committee on Sustainable Development Goals. Her Excellency appreciated the efforts of the committee members in activating various national and international projects and initiatives, which contribute to a positive impact and building a sustainable future for the next generations.

Stressing the UAE’s leadership role in the field of sustainable development at the global level, His Excellency Abdulla Nasser Lootah said: “The committee meeting serves as a testament to the UAE’s unwavering commitment to guiding sustainable development towards a more expansive horizon. Additionally, it underscores a profound understanding of the essential role of teamwork and close collaboration between the government and private sectors, not only in shaping strategies but also in executing them effectively".

Lootah confirmed that the UAE contribution to achieving the desired progress aims to ensure that no one is left behind, through achieving sustainability at various sectors and cooperation with societies is essential to achieve the 2030 goals.

The “SDGs in Action Forum" engagements at the World Government Summit 2024 were presented during the meeting; which includes the representation of ministers, UN officials, decision makers and representatives of prominent international organizations from all over the world in 13 sessions, and more than 300 participants. The Committee also, adopted the UAE National Data Action Plan for the Sustainable Development Goals, which aims to measure the progress made in data analysis at the national level and ensure its accuracy.

Her Excellency Hanan Ahli said: “Recent data shows that progress towards the sustainable development goals is at the midway point and remains incomplete. Countries must intensify their efforts to enhance the availability of data concerning the 17 sustainable development goals, which aim to secure a better and more sustainable future for all. These goals are designed to tackle the global challenges confronting us."

Her Excellency added: “The availability of data on SDGs in Arab countries shows continuous improvement, with a notable 6 percent increase recorded between 2020 and 2023. According to data provided by the ESCWA organization, which has established a network of specialized technical teams to monitor completed data periodically and track achievements in real-time, there has been a significant advancement. It is noteworthy that the UAE has made remarkable strides in achieving sustainable development goals, reaching a rate of 42%, far surpassing the regional average performance of 14%, as reported by the Arab SDG Monitor by ESCWA".

His Excellency Mohammed Hassan, Executive Director of the National Statistics and Data Sector at FCSC, emphasised the importance of the statistics and data sector in knowledge exchange, which contributes to an important economic role equivalent to oil. This shift is attributed to the utilisation of technologies like artificial intelligence and digital technology, which significantly contribute to shaping future economies. The data revolution is seen as instrumental in realising strategic goals and fostering comprehensive sustainable development plans at local, regional, and global scales.

His Excellency further stressed that big data serves as the fundamental cornerstone for maximising the potential of artificial intelligence. It plays a crucial role in empowering this cutting-edge technology to fulfil one of its most critical functions: forecasting. This process proves invaluable in data-driven strategic planning initiatives.

The National Committee on SDGs was established to execute 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.​

Sustainable Development Goals 2045 pave the way for the future global agenda
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14 Feb 2024

​​Source: Dubai ,The National Committee for Sustainable Development Goals in the UAE organized the "Sustainable Development Goals in Implementation" forum in its eighth edition, as part of the World Government Summit 2024. The forum, which was launched under the slogan "Sustainable Development Goals 2045: Paving the Way towards the Future Global Agenda", aimed to exchange best practices to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by providing a space for global dialogue in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals, as it is an opportunity for world leaders to present radical solutions to accelerate the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, face challenges and reshape the common future for future generations. The forum discussed global challenges by proposing innovative solutions, projects and initiatives to accelerate sustainable solutions to all major challenges in the world, including technological development, climate change, inequality, natural disasters and other challenges. Decision Makers The forum brought together world leaders, presidents, ministers, decision-makers, executives, experts and advisers from around the world in various sectors, and the forum was attended by Emine Erdogan, wife of the President of the Republic. Turkish and Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Secretary-General of the United Nations to Outstanding Persons in Waste Eradication and Champion of Wise Cities in Waste in the World, Levan Davičvili, First Deputy Prime Minister of Georgia and Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Goals, Her Excellency Ohood bint Khalfan Al Roumi, Minister of State for Government Development and the Future, Her Excellency Hessa bint Essa Buhumaid, Director General of the Community Development Authority in Dubai, Mukhtar Babayev, Minister of Environment and Natural Resources of the Republic of Azerbaijan, President of the Conference of the Parties COP 29, and Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director General to the International Atomic Energy Agency, Deveka Vidot, Minister of Investment, Entrepreneurship and Industry of the Republic of Seychelles, and Paula Ingabire, Minister of Information and Communication Technology and Digital Innovation of Rwanda. The forum witnessed the organization of several dialogue sessions, aimed at contributing to shaping a prosperous and equitable future for all by highlighting key themes including promoting growth and change for effective governments, climate neutrality, strengthening partnerships and data-based strategies, modern vision for development and future economies, aspirations of tomorrow’s societies, and transformations. New globalism, urbanization towards new future horizons. Emirati endeavors The forum addressed the UAE’s efforts to make the Sustainable Development Goals a global call to action to eradicate poverty, protect the environment and ensure peace and prosperity, and the key axis of these initiatives in the UAE development agenda, in line with the broader vision for a sustainable and inclusive future. "We have supported and will continue to support all initiatives aimed at protecting the land entrusted to us and ensuring that we leave it a livable heritage for future generations because with the polluted sea crashing on all our shores, with the polluted air poisoning us all, and with the severity of global warming burning us all, we cannot continue to fight our conflicts separately. Abdullah Nasser Lootah, Assistant Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Competitiveness and Knowledge Exchange and Vice Chairman of the National Committee for Sustainable Development Goals, said: "The UAE, under the directives of its wise leadership, continues to move forward towards accelerating The pace of achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030 at the local and global levels, and its experience and initiatives have become a global example to be followed in this field," he said, noting that the country’s efforts go beyond borders through the global partnerships adopted by the country to help countries and communities around the world, especially in less fortunate countries. ​

Ministerial Round table of XDGS
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14 Feb 2024

​Ministerial Roundtable of XDGS foresees the future of the world 2030-2045, discusses international cooperation efforts to overcome challenges

As part of the World Governments Summit 2024, the XDGS Ministerial Roundtable was held on the first day of the summit to strengthen international cooperation and address growing global challenges.

Participating ministers from various fields met to set an ambitious agenda for global development and cross-border cooperation, under the theme “XDGs 2045: Navigating the Future of Our World," with the aim of stimulating concrete actions in line with global dialogue and the urgent need to strengthen sustainable development plans by following a comprehensive mechanism and a forward-looking approach to future global development.

This meeting came amid a constantly changing landscape in the twenty-first century and in light of challenges such as climate change, technological developments, and changing geopolitical dynamics, as world leaders face unprecedented challenges, which impose the need to intensify international efforts and coordinate action among countries to confront these challenges and shape the future of international cooperation.

To effectively navigate this uncertain future, leaders must first address a critical question: How can we collaboratively design a strong and just post-2030 global agenda that reflects the changing needs and aspirations of our interconnected world?

The XDGs 2045 Ministerial Roundtable aims to set a joint and ambitious agenda to promote sustainable development, and identify practical steps to achieve these common global goals, through the exchange of experiences and ideas between ministers and government leaders, as the roundtable contributed to developing innovative and effective strategies to achieve sustainable development goals in the short and long term.

The roundtable discussions cover the XDGs 2045 “Shaping The Future of Our World" Report, which indicates the role and obligations that each country must have towards implementing the sustainable development system and standards, which were previously presented in February 2023. The United Arab Emirates activated the concept of the XDGS 2045 Ministerial Roundtable as a dedicated event at the World Governments Summit. For governments to develop radical solutions to the challenges of the unknown future the world may face and practical strategies to achieve specific goals.

The ministerial roundtable was chaired by Eng. Suhail Mohammed Faraj Al Mazroui, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure and Chairman of the Global Council on SDG 11, Hanan Mansour Ahli, Managing Director of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre, and Dr Mahmoud Mohieldin, Executive Director of the International Monetary Fund and Special Envoy of the United Nations for Financing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Chairman of the Global Council on SDG 1.

Ulvi Ramiz oglu Mehdiyev, Chairman of the State Agency for Public Service and Social Innovations under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and Dr. Heika Harmgart, Managing Director Europan Bank for Reconstruction & Development, Raouf Mazou, Assistant High Commissioner for Operations, UNHCR, and Bora Muzhaqi, Minister of Youth and Children of the Republic of Albania, also participated.

Suhail Al Mazrouie said: “The United Arab Emirates, through the visionary leadership, is working to solidify the country’s position as an active participant in implementing sustainable development goals through collective action with all nations worldwide, benefiting peoples and communities to achieve development goals and create a better future for all."

He added: “There isn’t much time left until the final deadline agreed upon by the international community in 2030. Promises, ideas, and visions alone are not sufficient today. Instead, the focus must be on action, implementation, and achievement. The challenges facing the world are increasing in size and complexity day by day, making it imperative to launch immediate solutions to enable governments and individuals to efficiently and effectively address the larger and more complex challenges."

"The summit serves as a platform where governments, international organizations, institutions, academia, and civil society convene to address the challenges and opportunities of the future," His Excellency emphasised. He further highlighted that the Global Governments Summit offers governments a forum to facilitate and stimulate the sharing of ideas, foster collaboration, and forge partnerships aimed at advancing the global goals beyond 2030.

His Excellency Abdulla Nasser Lootah, Deputy Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Competitiveness and Knowledge Exchange, and Vice Chairman of the National Committee on Sustainable Development Goals, stated that the ministerial roundtable presents a significant opportunity to expand upon the discussions held during last year’s World Governments Summit, which addressed the need to develop the global development agenda for 2030, review current commitments, and analyse future opportunities.

He further added: “The commitment of the United Arab Emirates to sustainable development is at the core of the visionary leadership’s vision for the future of the country, aiming to be one of the best countries in the world. At a time when its experience in dealing with sustainable development goals has become a global benchmark to be guided by, and an inspiring practice from which many governments around the world benefit, aspiring to achieve their national sustainability agendas."

Dr. Mahmoud Mohieldin said: “The global community must endeavor to make 2024 and the subsequent years a period of fast acceleration towards attaining the 2030 SDGs through effective public, private philanthropy partnerships, significant finance stimulus, knowledge and technology sharing and capacity development," he added.

A detailed outline of the renewed global commitment was developed as one of the most important points of discussion, as participants seek to identify effective mechanisms to ensure the commitment of countries and international organizations to achieving the set goals. Emphasis will be placed on developing specific action plans and defining responsibilities and incentives to ensure that agreed commitments are implemented effectively and comprehensively.

Through these proposed points of discussion, the XDGs 2045 Ministerial Roundtable demonstrates a strong commitment to sustainable development and international cooperation in multiple areas. Hopes are high that this meeting will contribute to developing specific and sustainable action plans to build a better and more sustainable future for all.

It is worth noting that the XDGs 2045 Ministerial Roundtable aims to identify the practical steps that should be taken to achieve sustainable development and focus on cooperative efforts among ministers to overcome global challenges and promote sustainable development.​

The Sustainable Development Goals Forum aims to shape a better future for humanity within the World Government Summit 2024
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07 Feb 2024

The SDG in Action Forum, organized within the World Government Summit 2024, in partnership with the National Committee for Sustainable Development Goals, will witness expanded dialogues aimed at paving the way towards achieving the global agenda for sustainable development.

 As a part of the accompanying events of the Global Government Summit 2024, taking place in Dubai from February 12 to 14, with the participation of heads of states and governments, over 80 international and regional organizations, 120 government delegations, and a distinguished gathering of global thought leaders and experts, the forum explores major global trends in more than 110 main interactive dialogue sessions, featuring 200 global personalities. Additionally, more than 23 ministerial meetings and executive sessions with the participation of over 300 ministers are scheduled.

His Excellency Abdullah Nasser Lootah, Assistant Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Competitiveness and Knowledge Exchange and Vice Chairman of the National Committee for Sustainable Development Goals emphasized that the UAE, under the wise leadership, has become a global model in sustainable development areas. He highlighted the continuous efforts of the UAE in accelerating the achievement of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (2030) on both national and global levels.

His  Excellency said that the UAE’s commitment to sustainable development is reflected in the voluntary national review report presented during a special session on voluntary national reviews based on data for sustainable development goals within the United Nations’ High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development in July of the previous year.

He added that the UAE continues its diligent work to support the achievement of sustainable development goals in areas such as poverty eradication, hunger elimination, and the enhancement of healthcare and community health on a global scale. This is achieved through constructive partnerships with nations and international organizations to assist communities worldwide, particularly those less fortunate. Lootah emphasized that the UAE is a major international supporter of renewable energy projects in over 70 countries.

The Forum addresses future transformations and innovative solutions to global challenges that contribute to shaping a better future for humanity. It focuses on seven core themes, including accelerating growth and change for effective governments, artificial intelligence and new future prospects, a fresh vision for development and future economies, the future of education and the aspirations of future societies, new global transformations, and urban expansion and global health priorities.

Since its launch in 2016, the SDGs in Action Forum has been a platform for promoting innovation towards achieving global goals. It discusses global challenges through innovative solutions, projects, and initiatives to expedite sustainable solutions for all major global challenges.

Through the Forum, the World Government Summit launched the SDG Activation Platform, with the aim of strengthening the focus on the implementation of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals adopted around the world. The initiative was launched in partnership with the World Government Summit, the United Nations, the World Bank, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, and a number of local and international partners, with the aim of overcoming the challenges facing countries’ work to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

It’s worth noting that the National Committee for Sustainable Development Goals in the UAE was formed by a resolution issued by the Cabinet in January 2017. The committee, chaired by Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation, includes the Ministry of Cabinet Affairs, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and 13 federal government entities, all sharing responsibility for implementing sustainable development goals nationally, monitoring progress, engaging relevant stakeholders, and submitting regular reports on the country’s achievements.​

UAE participates in the High-Level Political Forum in New York and reaffirms its support for international efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals
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13 Jul 2025

The United Arab Emirates delegation will participate in the upcoming 2025 United Nations High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development, organized by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) at UN Headquarters in New York.
The delegation will showcase the UAE’s comprehensive development model, reaffirming its commitment to accelerate progress toward the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through multinational partnerships.
The UAE delegation will focus on five priority goals: Goal 3 – ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages; Goal 5 – achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls; Goal 8 – promoting sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, productive employment, and decent opportunities for all; Goal 14 – conserving and sustainably using oceans, seas, and marine resources; and Goal 17 – strengthening global partnerships for sustainable development.
The UAE delegation includes members from the UAE’s National Committee on Sustainable Development Goals, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Investment, The Government Experience Exchange Programme, Dubai Chamber of Commerce, the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, and Noor Dubai Foundation (under the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives), in coordination with the UAE’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York.
His Excellency Abdullah Nasser Lootah, Assistant Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Competitiveness and Experience Exchange and Chair of the National Committee on Sustainable Development Goals, reaffirmed that UAE’s participation reflects its international commitment to advancing the 2030 SDGs in innovation, technology, and smart governance. He emphasized the importance of expanding global partnerships in knowledge and development exchange.
On the sidelines of HLPF, the UAE delegation is organizing a focused global retreat to discuss current challenges and explore future opportunities and a dedicated exhibition showcasing the UAE’s progress and achievements in accelerating the implementation of the SDGs both locally and globally. In addition, the delegation will highlight initiatives in clean energy, digital transformation, education, and healthcare.
As part of the preparations for the UAE’s participation, the National Committee on the SDGs held an extensive meeting to assess the readiness of the delegation and review progress on the implementation of the SDGs. The meeting explored opportunities to expand international cooperation and sign new agreements during the Forum.
Held under the “Reinforcing sustainable, inclusive, and evidence-based solutions to deliver the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs, leaving no one behind”, the 2025 forum will run from 14 to 23 July 2025 with a total of 37 countries presenting their voluntary national reviews on the progress made toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals to date.

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“RASMI” Initiative

A strategic initiative within the "Unified UAE Numbers" project, which was launched by His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court.

“RASMI” is a mark of accreditation for national data and statistics issued by the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre, across all vital sectors, to create new bridges for the UAE through unified, accurate and consistent data and statistics.

The “RASMI” accreditation mark aims to:

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Highlight the strength of the Unified UAE Numbers to support the UAE’s global competitiveness journey.

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Ensure the highest levels of transparency and accuracy in producing national data.

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Reduce duplication and support mechanisms for integration and coordination between federal and local data-producing entities.

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Enhance community trust in published national data and statistics.

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Raise statistical awareness among individuals in society through interactive visual content.

مبــــــادرة "رســـــــمي"

هي مبادرة استراتيجية ضمن مشروع "أرقام الإمارات الموحدة" الذي أطلقه سمو الشيخ منصور بن زايد آل نهيان، نائب رئيس الدولة نائب رئيس مجلس الوزراء، رئيس ديوان الرئاسة، بمثابة علامة اعتماد للبيانات والإحصاءات الوطنية الصادرة عن المركز الاتحادي للتنافسية والإحصاء لكافة القطاعات الحيوية لمد جسور جديدة لدولة الإمارات عبر بيانات وإحصاءات موحدة ودقيقة ومتسقة.

تهـــدف علامــــة اعتمــــاد "رســــمي" لـ:

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إبـــــراز قـــــوة أرقـــــام الإمـــــارات المـــــوحدة، لدعـــــم مسيـــــرتنــــــا في التنــــــافسيــــــة العــــــالميــــــة.

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ضمــــــان أعــلى درجــــــات الشـــــفـــــافيــــة والــــــدقــــة في إنتــــــاج لبيــــانــــــات الـــــــوطنيــــــة.

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دعـــــم آليـــــــات التكـــــــامل والتنسيـــــــق بيــــــن الجهـــــات الاتحادية والمحـــــلية المنتجــــــة للبيانــــــات لتقــــــليـــــــل الازدواجيـــــة.

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تعـــــزيـــــــز ثقـــــــة المجتمــــــع فـــــي البيـــــــانــــــات والإحصــــــاءات الــــــوطنيـــــــة المنشـــــــورة.

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نشـــــــر الـــــــوعي الإحصـــــــائي بيـــــــن أفــــــراد المـــــــجتمع عبـــــــر محتــــــوى مـــــــرئي تفــــــــاعلي.