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DATA FOR A BETTER FUTURE
The UAE has achieved tangible progress in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), reaching a 62% achievement rate in accordance with global methodologies. This reflects the UAE’s firm commitment to developing sustainable policies and “its leadership as a global model in the speed of implementation and institutional integration.
This was announced during a meeting of the National Committee on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which discussed ways to strengthen the national data ecosystem supporting development indicators, and highlighted the importance of improving data quality and enhancing integration among government entities as a fundamental pillar in consolidating the UAE’s progress in global indicators.
The Committee reviewed the latest developments related to the preparation of the Third Voluntary National Review (VNR) in 2026, as well as the progress in implementing the National Sustainable Development Data Plan, which aims to enhance data collection mechanisms and improve efficiency in line with international best practices.
The National Committee on SDGs held its meeting chaired by H.E. Abdulla Nasser Lootah, Assistant Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Competitiveness and Experience Exchange and Chairman of the National Committee on SDGs, with the participation of H.E. Aisha Ahmed Yousef, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Community Empowerment; H.E. Dr. Hussein Abdulrahman Al Rand, Assistant Undersecretary for the Public Health Sector at the Ministry of Health and Prevention; H.E. Ahmed Al Nasser, Assistant Undersecretary for Labour Market Policies and Acting Assistant Undersecretary for Labour Market Services at the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation; H.E. Mohammed Abdulqader, Acting Assistant Undersecretary for the Strategy and Policies Sector at the Ministry of Education; H.E. Hanan Mansour Ahli, Managing Director of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre (FCSC); Lt-Col. Ali Sultan bin Awad Al Nuaimi, Director of the Department of Strategy and the Future at the Ministry of Interior; and Eng. Nawal Al Hanaee, Director of the Future Energy Department at the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure.
The Committee stressed the priority of investing in building national capacities and developing statistical competencies, in addition to expanding cooperation and partnerships with specialized international organizations in statistical methodologies, to enhance data reliability and accuracy, and to support the national sustainable development ecosystem in the long term.
National Data a Pillar for Achieving the SDGs
H.E. Abdulla Lootah affirmed that the UAE Government focuses on strengthening the integration of government efforts and enhancing the readiness of national data as a fundamental pillar to support initiatives aimed at achieving the SDGs. He noted that this approach enables the National Committee to prepare the 2026 Voluntary National Review accurately and comprehensively, while continuing to expand cooperation and coordination among relevant entities to ensure the achievement of national targets beyond 2030, and to consolidate the UAE’s position as a leading global model in accelerating the implementation of the SDGs and strengthening its international presence.
Integration of Efforts for the Third Voluntary National Review (2026)
The General Secretariat of the National Committee on SDGs reviewed the latest updates on preparations for the Third Voluntary National Review, which the UAE will present to the United Nations in July 2026, following the 2018 and 2022 reviews. Members emphasized the importance of ensuring that the Review reflects national success stories and the UAE’s efforts in accelerating the achievement of global goals, while highlighting pioneering experiences and best practices that can be generalized internationally.
Participants stressed the importance of engaging various national sectors and relevant entities in preparing the Review to ensure the submission of a comprehensive report that reflects achieved progress, challenges and future opportunities. They reviewed the latest initiatives and developments supporting the SDGs across various fields, underscoring the adoption of innovative practices and future solutions to enhance national progress, improve data quality and strengthen the country’s readiness for the Review.
Entities participating in the meeting presented their achievements related to SDG indicators, including the Ministry of Interior, which delivered a detailed briefing on its initiatives; particularly in the areas of community safety, digital transformation and the development of smart services, and the progress achieved in data readiness in relations to the Ministry’s indicators.
Notably, the National Committee on SDGs monitors the implementation of the 2030 Global Agenda, aligns the UAE’s priorities with international goals, and exchanges expertise with partners with partners at the local and global levels.to expand the network of active stakeholders contributing to the implementation of the United Nations Agenda.
The number of air quality monitoring stations operating across the UAE reached 57 in 2024, marking a 46% increase over the past decade, compared to 55 stations in 2023, according to the latest data issued by the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre (FCSC) in collaboration with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) and the National Center of Meteorology (NCM).
Of the total stations, 32 stations (56%) are located within populated areas, ensuring continuous monitoring of air quality in residential communities across the country.
Data from all monitoring stations indicate that the average concentrations of key air pollutants, including carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), and sulfur dioxide (SO₂) remained low compared to previous years and within the limits set by the UAE National Air Quality Standards.
Air quality remains a national priority for the UAE, given its direct impact on public health and quality of life. The UAE Government has embedded air quality as a key performance indicator (KPI) under the “We the UAE 2031” Vision and the UAE Centennial 2071 Strategy, both of which aim to promote social wellbeing and a sustainable economy. In addition, air quality is one of the eight core policy priorities within the National Environmental Agenda led by MOCCAE.
According to FCSC data on the geographic distribution of monitoring stations in 2024, Abu Dhabi recorded the highest number with 21 stations (37%), followed by Dubai with 14 stations (25%), Ajman with 7 stations (12%), Fujairah with 6 stations (11%), Ras Al Khaimah with 4 stations (7%), Sharjah with 3 stations (5%), and Umm Al Quwain with 2 stations (3%).
In terms of functional distribution, residential areas account for 56% of all stations to ensure comprehensive coverage of inhabited regions, followed by roadside locations at 23%, industrial and commercial areas at 14%, while the remaining stations are distributed across other locations in the UAE.
Air quality monitoring stations play a vital role in detecting substances released into the atmosphere, directly or indirectly which may alter air composition in ways harmful to human health, living organisms, natural resources, or populated areas. The stations provide accurate daily, monthly, and annual measurements of major air pollutants, including sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, ground-level ozone, and inhalable particulate matter.
The National Committee on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in cooperation with United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), has launched the SDGs Research Program during an event held at the university’s campus in Al Ain. The event was attended by His Excellency Abdulla Nasser Lootah, Assistant Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Competitiveness and Experience Exchange and Chairman of the National Committee on SDGs, and H.E. Prof. Ahmed Al Raeesi, Vice Chancellor of the United Arab Emirates University, along with a number of faculty members and students.
The launch of the program comes as part of the national efforts aimed at strengthening the contribution of higher education institutions to advancing the Sustainable Development Goals and consolidating the role of scientific research in developing practical and innovative solutions that contribute to achieving the 2030 Global Agenda, in line with the UAE’s future vision of building a sustainable, knowledge-based economy.
Abdulla Lootah: Enhancing scientific research is a key tool for development and decision-making
During his address at the event, H.E. Abdulla Nasser Lootah affirmed that the cooperation between the National Committee on SDGs and UAEU represents a national model for integration between government entities and academic institutions. He stressed that the SDGs Research Program embodies, in its objectives and orientations, the UAE’s vision and the focus of its wise leadership on enhancing scientific research as a key tool for development and for supporting decision-making processes. H.E. further reaffirmed the commitment to empowering youth and researchers to become partners in developing practical solutions that advance the achievement of the SDGs.
Lootah added that the program serves as a national platformthat brings together academic thought and government expertise within a distinguished learning and research model that enables the transformation of research output into initiatives and policies that enhance the UAE’s standing in global indicators and support its position as a hub for sustainable knowledge.
Ahmed Al Raeesi: A milestone in the university’s journey towards research leadership
For his part, H.E. Prof. Ahmed Al Raeesi, Vice Chancellor of the United Arab Emirates University, stateden that the launch of this program marks a new milestone in the university’s journey towards research leadership. He said: “At UAEU, we are pleased to be an active part of the national efforts to achieve the SDGs. Our aim today is to empower youth to be effective contributors to shaping the future, and to integrate sustainability thinking into education and scientific research to generate knowledge that provides practical solutions to the challenges of our time, from climate change to sustainable cities and clean energy.”
H.E. added that the program reflects the fruitful partnership between academic institutions and government entities, noting that the UAE has made sustainability a national priority through field action and effective partnerships. The program further strengthens the university’s position as a leading national research institution and an academic partner supporting the country’s journey towards achieving the 2030 Global Agenda.
Development of applied scientific research
The program focuses on encouraging students to develop applied scientific research across multiple fields, including climate, energy, environment, health, education, and economic growth, in addition to enhancing their skills in research, analysis, and the development of sustainable scientific solutions.
It also seeks to activate academic and institutional partnerships within an integrated national ecosystem that supports the transformation of research outputs into practical initiatives contributing to the development of public policies and the achievement of the desired societal impact.
The cooperation between the National Committee and UAEU represents a practical embodiment of SDG 17, which focuses on partnerships for the goals, as efforts are integrated to build a new generation of researchers capable of keeping pace with global challenges and developing qualitative solutions that serve people and the environment. The launch of the program reflects the UAE’s commitment to supporting the education and scientific research ecosystem as a fundamental pillar for achieving comprehensive development, and to strengthening its position as a regional and global hub for knowledge and innovation in sustainability fields.
Majed Al Mesmar: These achievements reflect the UAE’s steady progress towards global leadership.
Hanan Ahli: The results reflect the UAE’s leading position in digital transformation regionally and globally.
The UAE has ranked 9th globally and 1st in the region in the World Digital Competitiveness Report 2025 issued by the International Institute for Management Development (IMD) in Lausanne, Switzerland. The ranking strengthens the UAE’s position among the world’s top 10 digital performers, reaffirming its regional leadership and outperforming several advanced global economies. It also underscores the UAE’s ability to keep pace with rapid technological shifts and to build a fully integrated digital development model driven by innovation, artificial intelligence, and human capital.
His Excellency Eng. Majed Sultan Al Mesmar, Director General of the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) stated that “The UAE ranking 9th globally in the 2025 Digital Competitiveness Report is a testament to the efficiency of its digital ecosystem and the maturity of its technological infrastructure across both government and economic sectors. It further highlights the UAE’s position as a global role model in building a comprehensive, resilient, and secure digital infrastructure capable of accelerating innovation and promoting the UAE’s economic competitiveness.”
“In our view, this is the result of the integrated institutional collaboration between public and private sector entities working together to enhance digital performance and sustain progress. This achievement reflects the UAE’s steadfast path toward global leadership, where digital transformation has become a national way of life; enhancing wellbeing and driving sustainable economic growth,” H.E. added.
Hanan Ahli: Results reflect the UAE’s forward-looking vision
Her Excellency Hanan Ahli, Managing Director of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre (FCSC), stated that the UAE’s ratings in the World Digital Competitiveness Report highlight the exceptional progress in digital transformation both regionally and globally. “The UAE’s success reflects the effectiveness of national strategies and policies aimed at building a sustainable, knowledge-based economy by empowering national talents, enhancing technical skills, and preparing future generations to thrive in the digital era,” H.E. noted. “These results further strengthen the UAE’s position as a leading global model in digital transformation, fostering a knowledge-driven environment, creatingsustainable opportunities for future generations andbuilding a society grounded in innovation, knowledgeand future sciences,” she added.
Global Leadership in Key Indicators
The UAE ranked 1st globally in key indicators, including internet usage, high-speed connectivity, venture capital availability, public-private partnerships, and digital skills. It also ranked 1st globally in attracting international students and global expertise. In addition, the UAE ranked among the world’s top 5 in 15 indicators and top 10 in 22 indicators, reflecting the depth and inclusiveness of its digital advancement across all sectors.
Sustained Growth in Digital Competitiveness
“The report revealed that the UAE advanced to 9th place globally, up from 18th in the first edition of the report in 2017, marking a consistent upward trajectory in digital competitiveness and highlighting the maturity of its national digital environment and proactive policy framework.”The UAE also maintained its leading regional position, remaining the only country in the Middle East among the global top 10 in digital competitiveness.
Future-Ready and Tech-Driven
According to the report, the UAE ranked 5th globally in Future Readiness, reflecting its high capacity to adopt emerging technologies and develop advanced digital ecosystems. It also ranked 6th globally in the Technology pillar, supported by robust digital infrastructure and extensive investments in advanced technologies and government digital services. In the Knowledge pillar, the UAE ranked 12th globally, underscoring the strength of its education system and national talent development initiatives.
Despite global economic and geopolitical shifts and disruptions to technology supply chains, the report noted that the UAE successfully sustained its digital momentum; reinforcing its reputation as one of the world’s most resilient and innovation-friendly digital economies.
For the first time, the report included data on artificial intelligence patents and private-sector investments in AI, in which the UAE ranked 1st regionally, reflecting the ambitions of its National AI Strategy 2031 and its commitment to a knowledge-driven, innovation-based economy.
These results align with the UAE’s strategic national visions, including the UAE Centennial 2071, the UAE National Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2031, and the Digital Government Strategy, along with key national initiatives such as 1 Million Arab Coders, Advanced Research Laboratories, and National Talent Upskilling Programs.
A Global Model for Digital Transformation
The UAE’s ongoing development reaffirms its position as a world leader in digital transformation and future economy, embodying the wise leadership’s vision to build a competitive, innovation-driven, and knowledge-based national ecosystem that fosters sustainable growth and empowers future-ready generations.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, visited the UAE Statistics Mural, a major exhibit at the Statistics Exhibition organised by the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre as part of the UAE Government Annual Meetings 2025 in Abu Dhabi.
The exhibition showcases the UAE’s journey in numbers since the launch of its federal institutions from the 1970s until present.
The mural presents a timeline from the 1970s onward, chronicling the UAE’s key strategic and statistical achievements in each decade. The journey begins in the 70s, when statistics work started and culminated in the nation’s first population census in 1975. This pivotal event established a national framework for planning and modern state-building, transforming numbers into an essential tool to chart the course for development.
The timeline continues to the 2020-2030 decade, highlighting the critical transition into the future. This decade is defined by the shift towards smart transformation and comprehensive digitisation through a smart, integrated statistical ecosystem capable of predictive analysis and guiding data-driven policy.
This era represents a fundamental evolution from traditional fieldwork to smart statistics, transforming data into a power that actively shapes the future.
Organised under the theme ‘50 Years of UAE Statistics’, the exhibition showcases a series of statistics reports and groups that date from the establishment of the Ministry of Planning through to the launch of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre.
The exhibition also showcases statistics indicators across various vital sectors, the latest release of the Unified UAE Numbers report, and a video documenting the UAE’s first census and other relevant milestones.
UAE – 06 November 2025: The UAE Government has launched the Unified UAE Numbers, the comprehensive national platform dedicated to AI-powered data and statistics aimed at providing accurate, real-time and trusted data to support decision making and drive the UAE’s readiness for future shifts. The launch took place at the UAE Government Annual Meetings 2025.
The Unified UAE Numbers platform is being developed in partnership between the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Center (FCSC) and the Ministry of Foreign Trade, and in coordination with relevant federal and local entities. The platform will be hosted on the UAE Government Federal Network (FedNet) to ensure maximum security.
The platform is an outcome of the Economic Data Retreat, where extensive discussions focused on strengthening the national statistics system, its governance, and data exchange between entities. It will create a unified, smart national ecosystem that enhances the quality and reliability of national data, driving the UAE’s transformation toward smart statistics.
His Excellency Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade said: “This day marks our transition from a phase of compiling data to one of managing knowledge. From traditional statistics to smart statistics. This strategic transformation is embodied by the Unified UAE Numbers platform, which opens new horizons for decision makers to harness the power of data to drive development, national economy’s competitiveness and the UAE’s global status.”
His Excellency Al Zeyoudi added: “This platform shows how the UAE’s statistics ecosystem has matured to become capable of providing accurate, trusted and real-time data to help read economic trends and guide policies and investments. Ultimately it will strengthen the UAE’s ability to respond to global shifts and shape the future of vital sectors.”
Her Excellency Maryam bint Ahmed Al Hammadi, Minister of State, General Secretary of the UAE Cabinet and General Supervisor of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre (FCSC), said: “The launch of the Unified UAE Numbers platform embodies our leadership’s vision for a future government driven by data and AI. This platform represents a major step in the government’s digital transformation, fostering a unified approach and empowering entities to make swift, precise decisions backed by trusted, real-time data.”
Her Excellency Al Hammadi added: “By establishing a smart national statistics infrastructure, we are building a foundation to inform public policy, bolster the UAE’s competitiveness, and accelerate economic growth across all sectors.”
Her Excellency pointed out that the platform is an outcome of the Economic Data Retreat, which brought together 28 national entities in the first phase to establish 380 economic indicators and lay out a unified framework for GDP data, as well as balance of payment and investment.
She highlighted the essential role of data in formulating policy, setting priorities, measuring impact, and monitoring performance, noting that ultimately, this platform ensures that governance is data-driven, thereby strengthening the UAE’s readiness for AI adoption, achieving seamless integration of national databases, and creating an agile regulatory environment that champions both innovation and sustainability.
The UAE Government Annual Meetings 2025 hosted the Economic Data Retreat, a specialised strategic retreat which aims to formulate advanced national approaches to managing economic data, as well as enhancing the UAE’s readiness to keep up with rapid global shifts in AI, digital transformation and big data.
The retreat, which hosted three different sessions, brought together ministers and heads of economic, regulatory, financial and tech entities, as well as representatives of Digital Transformation Councils from across the UAE.
Strategic importance
The Economic Data Retreat is strategically timed to underscore the importance of creating a smart, integrated ecosystem of national data, capable of keeping up with global shifts and enhancing the UAE’s competitiveness in digital economy, investment and data-driven planning. The retreat is a key step toward establishing the UAE’s leadership in adopting smart policies, utilising data as a strategic decision-making tool, achieving sustainable development and enhancing the nation’s future readiness.
Unified procurement of big data
The first session titled ‘The Unified Procurement of Big Data: Standardising Federal and Local Contracts’, was led by His Excellency Mohamed bin Hadi Al Hussaini, Minister of State for Financial Affairs.
The session discussed the pivotal role of big data in supporting policies and decision making, and highlighted the need to increase the efficiency of the government data procurement system to improve data quality and accuracy, facilitate secure data exchange among entities and ensure its effective utilisation to support future plans and national policies.
Participants emphasised that launching a unified national model to coordinate government procurement of big data is a strategic step toward identifying federal and local data needs, and unifying procurement efforts on a national level, leading to reduced costs, increased efficiency and accelerated data access.
His Excellency Mohamed Al Hussaini explained that the UAE government, guided by its leadership, is prioritising big data as a cornerstone of the nation’s competitive and digital economy future. He noted that the goal is to build an integrated, real-time national economic data system. This system will provide decision-makers across all sectors with a reliable, instant flow of data, which is key to accelerating smart developmental planning and enabling effective public policies.
Integrating investment data
The second session, titled ‘National Integration of Inbound and Outbound Investment Data’, was led by His Excellency Mohamed Hassan Alsuwaidi, Minister of Investment.
The session discussed the importance of creating an integrated national system for investment data that contributes to increased data accuracy and reliability, while supporting the UAE’s ability to measure the economic and social impact of investments.
His Excellency Mohamed Alsuwaidi said: “In a highly competitive world vying for quality capital, the UAE continues to solidify its status as a leading global destination for investment, while focusing on measuring investment impact in terms of creating jobs, transferring knowledge and supporting vital sectors. Such efforts help promote sustainable development and underscore the competitiveness of our national economy.”
Smart statistics system
The third session, titled ‘Toward a Unified Smart National Statistics System’ was led by Her Excellency Maryam bint Ahmed Al Hammadi, Minister of State, Secretary General of the UAE Cabinet and the General Supervisor of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre (FCSC).
The session discussed challenges facing the national statistics system, and how to ensure the integration and readiness of data sources and their governance standards cohesion.
The session also discussed plans toward establishing a unified smart national statistics system and approving the development of a regulatory policies package. Such measures help enhance the reliability of national data, and support the accelerated adoption of AI in planning and general policy making.
Her Excellency Maryam bint Ahmed Al Hammadi said: “Building a unified smart national statistics system is essential for transforming the availability and integration of data in real time to bolster the UAE’s competitiveness and accelerate its development plans.”
She added: “The Economic Data Retreat reflects the UAE Government’s vision for advancing to the next phase of statistics integration by developing innovative policies, ensuring that national data is accurate, up-to-date, and accessible to support decision making and future foresight.”
- The event included 20 workshops in English and French discussing the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business Report.
- Bilateral meetings brought the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority with high-profile visitors to explore partnership opportunities.
- Participating Ministers were gifted copies of ‘My Story’, the book authored by H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
Dubai, December 16, 2019
The third Doing Business Technical Deep Dive has concluded its activities in Dubai, hosted over the course of four days by the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority (FCSA) in coordination with the UAE Ministry of Finance.
The event focused on the Ease of Doing Business Report, published by the World Bank Group. It brought together more than 350 economics experts from over 45 countries in the region and the world, covering Sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), and Asia.
FCSA Director General and head of the event’s organising committee His Excellency Abdulla Nasser Lootah delivered a closing speech, saying: “We were delighted to host the World Bank team and all participating delegations, ministers, lawmakers, and economists. The event included panel discussions and in-depth debate, where attendees exchanged expertise and best practices in the ease of doing business sector, strengthening efforts to enhance investment and business environments in participating economies.”
Lootah thanked partners from federal and local government entities in the UAE, as well as the private sector, for their contributions and support for the third High-Profile Doing Business Technical Deep Dive, whether by providing resources and talent, or welcoming participating delegations for field visits to showcase the UAE’s pioneering experience in the ease of doing business sector.
Meanwhile, the World Bank team extended its gratitude for the warm welcome participating delegations received, commending Emirati hospitality and the impeccable organisation of the event over its four days. World Bank officials underlined the importance of these meetings in providing a common platform for dialogue among participating countries – all included in the Ease of Doing Business Report – where they can exchange knowledge, best practices, and success stories in the field.
The sessions and workshops on the event’s agenda witnessed significant turnout from participants in the third High-Profile Doing Business Technical Deep Dive, who attended 20 workshops, prepared and delivered – in English and French – by renowned economists and experts tasked with compiling the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business Report.
H.E. Lootah lauded the great turnout at the event’s activities, saying that it reflects the quality of the knowledge content it provides. “The workshops were referred to as ‘Technical Clinics’, seeing as their main objective was to remedy the challenges and obstacles facing policymakers in their plans to enhance the work environment in their countries,” he said. “The sessions are organised by World Bank experts in government policy, economics, investment, foreign trade, and mass communication.”
The event discussed the opportunities and challenges facing the drafting and improvement of laws, legislation, and procedures surrounding doing business, as well as the basic stages that all economic establishments go through, from launching operations, to securing construction permits, registering property, getting credit, protecting minority investors and legal rights, paying taxes, cross-border trade, enforcing contract, and handling cases of insolvency.
The organising committee sought to ensure international delegations have an authentic Emirati experience, where groups of Emirati children, dressed in traditional clothing, welcomed them with traditional rose water sprinklers to the tone of Emirati folk music during breaks between sessions. Visitors were also treated to traditional local dishes such as Batheeth, Rangeena, and Arabic coffee, served during authentic Yola and Ayala performances. Organisers presented their visitors with souvenirs inspired by the UAE’s heritage such as wicker baskets made especially for the occasion by members of the Productive Families Programme.
Prominent Visitors Applaud ‘Well Organised’ Event
The third High-Profile Doing Business Technical Deep Dive received extensive praise from renowned international visitors for being well organised, as well as for the warm welcome visitors received, which reflected Emirati values of hospitality and the UAE’s professionalism in organising global knowledge events.
The visiting dignitaries, including several ministers, convened in bilateral meetings with the FCSA team on the side lines of the Deep Dive, held in Dubai this week.
H.E. Pholile Shakantu, Minister of Justice -Eswatini, stated that the third High-Profile Doing Business Technical Deep Dive is particularly important for developing and facilitating business, offering a platform for dialogue and the exchange of creative ideas to utilise the Report and its indexes to improve laws and procedures.
Meanwhile, Senator Manqoba Khumalo, Minister of Commerce, Industry & Trade from Eswatini, applauded the event and the advanced level of communication and interaction among participants, saying that Dubai impressed him with its opulence and generosity.
For his part, HE. Oumarou Alma, Minister – Special Adviser to the President of the Niger Republic, said: “As the third High-Profile Doing Business Technical Deep Dive draws to a close, I cannot help but express my sincere gratitude to the United Arab Emirates, and to the World Bank delegation, for the warm reception and impeccable organisation. The event is a must-attend function and an unparalleled occasion for exchanging expertise, opinions, and best practices for the entities tasked with rolling out economic reforms in Africa and the Middle East.”
“I thank the UAE and the World Bank once again,” H.E. Oumarou added, “and a special thank you goes to H.E. Abdulla Lootah, Director General of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority, and his team for their constant support and their efforts to organise this event, which has made our stay in Dubai – the city of the future – all the more advantageous.”
The organising team presented visiting dignitaries with copies of ‘My Story’, the book authored by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai.
The UAE ranks among the world’s top 20 economies, and came in 16th place on the annual Ease of Doing Business Report, which tracks 190 countries around the world. The Emirates led the entire Arab region on the ranking for the seventh consecutive year. Furthermore, the UAE ranked among the international top 10 on four of the Report’s 10 categories, ranking first in the world in terms of ease of connecting to the electrical grid; third in terms of ease of securing construction permits; ninth in terms of enforcing contracts; and tenth in terms of ease of registering property.
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The emirate is hosting the event for 4 days, under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Minister of Finance.
- The event is organised by the World Bank Group, with the support of the UAE’s Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority (FCSA).
- H.E. Hessa Buhumaid, Minister of Community Development: The UAE welcomes the findings of the Doing Business Report with an open mind, implementing them to rank among the top countries in the world on the index.
- H.E. Abdulla Lootah, FCSA Director General: The UAE uses the Report’s findings to launch projects and update legislations and procedures to be in line with reality and pave the way for a better future.
- H.E. Matthew Hawkins, New Zealand’s Ambassador to the UAE: The ease of doing business in the UAE is one of the leading factors that have made it an important business and commercial hub for our country.
Dubai, December 10, 2019
The third high-profile Doing Business Technical Deep Dive kicked off in Dubai today, hosted by the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority (FCSA) in coordination with the Ministry of Finance.
Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, UAE Minister of Finance, the event addresses the World Bank’s Doing Business Report, bringing together a host of renowned policymakers and experts in economics and business to explore opportunities and exchange expertise.
The meeting is scheduled to take place over the course of four days, under the theme ‘Global Aspiration Towards Business Growth and Economic Prosperity”. It brings together more than 350 experts from 45 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), and Asia. The agenda includes several panel discussions, workshops, lectures, and field trips to explore best practices in government entities around the UAE that have earned high global rankings on the Doing Business Report.
In her opening speech, Her Excellency Hessa bint Essa Buhumaid, Minister of Community Development, said: “The UAE has established partnerships with the World Bank and the International Finance Corporation that have led to a host of successes and accomplishments across various sectors. Our cooperation to support competitiveness is one of our most successful; the UAE believes in the Doing Business Report, welcomes its findings with an open mind, and implements its recommendations to advance through the ranks and assume the top spots among the countries of the world on the index.”
“Our journey with competitiveness has had its fair share of challenges and successes that have propelled the UAE to the top ranks on numerous international competitiveness indexes,” H.E. added. “What the United Arab Emirates accomplished in the past few decades, and what it still plans to accomplish, will serve as a solid foundation upon which we can build a competitive knowledge economy driven by human skills, and capable of materialising the Fourth Industrial Revolution as on-the-ground projects and initiatives that serve to achieve the UAE Centennial 2071 Plan.”
“We are gathered here today to discuss the Doing Business Report, but there are other reports we need to focus on as well,” H.E. Hessa Buhumaid explained, citing the report titled ‘Women, Business, and the Law’ and the Human Capital Index. “With an abundance of reports available, governments now look to technical committees in the World Bank to listen to opinions and suggestions from relevant entities in their respective countries, and accept their feedback with an open mind.”
For his part, His Excellency Abdulla Nasser Lootah, Director General of the FCSA, said: “We take international reports very seriously here in the UAE; we use them to launch projects and update legislations and procedures to be in line with reality and pave the way for a better future. We all have a common goal: to develop a single, unified approach for analysing and understanding the Doing Business Report and its projections for the upcoming years. We are here to exchange expertise and connect with experts and specialists.”
“I have no doubt that the World Bank team will be taking this opportunity to have a closer look at the countries covered by the report, and exploring ways for countries to work together and make the study more credible and pertinent,” H.E. Lootah concluded.
Meanwhile, H.E. Matthew Hawkins, New Zealand’s Ambassador to the UAE, said: “The ease of doing business in the UAE is one of the leading factors that have made it an important business and commercial hub for our country. The UAE’s success is our success; we are delighted to see the momentous leaps it has taken in the past decades on the Ease of Doing Business Report.”
Participants at the Doing Business Technical Deep Dive will explore the opportunities and challenges facing efforts to draft and improve business legislations and procedures, highlighting the various stages economic establishments go through from beginning their operations, to securing construction permits and electricity services, registering trademarks, applying for credit, protecting minority investors, paying taxes, cross-border trade, enforcing contracts, and conflict resolution.
Dubai, UAE, December 8, 2019
The World Bank Group, with the support of the United Arab Emirates Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority (FCSA) will host, from December 10 to December 13, 2019 in Dubai, the third Doing Business Technical Deep Dive, a Masterclass and a knowledge sharing platform on the reforms counted by the World Bank Group’s Doing Business report. The event will welcome participants from over 30 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle-East and Oceania.
The Technical Deep Dive gathers reform experts and policy makers to discuss the methodology and indicators of the Doing Business report, share best practice on identifying bottlenecks to private sector development and enacting relevant reforms, participate in targeted capacity building and networking sessions and use those interactions to update their country reform action plans.
His Excellency Abdulla Nasser Lootah, Director General of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority (FCSA), said: “Holding the third Doing Business Technical Deep Dive here in the UAE is a testament to the country’s success in firmly establishing itself as a destination of choice for business and economic leaders, partners, and organizations. It reflects the great confidence our partners at the World Bank and IFC have come to place in the UAE to host meetings of this high caliber. With prominent delegations of decision-makers and accomplished economics and business experts slated to attend, the much-anticipated event marks yet another milestone on the UAE’s journey to achieve the UAE Vision 2021 and implement the Sustainable Development Goals 2030.”
The 2020 Doing Business report, which was launched on October 24, 2019, shows that reform expertise is growing in the Middle-East and Africa regions. Economies in the Middle East and North Africa implemented a record 57 business-friendly reforms and hosted four of the countries that improved the most world-wide in the ease of doing business – Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Bahrain, and Kuwait. Sub-Saharan African countries implemented a total of 73 reforms, with Nigeria and Togo making the list of the global top reforming countries while Mauritius ranked as 13th easiest place to do business in the world.
The UAE ranks 16th globally and is the highest-ranked economy in the Middle-East and North Africa region. The Technical Deep Dive will offer the opportunity to aspiring reformers from across the globe to learn from the UAE’s best practices and share their efforts aimed at narrowing the gap with top reforming economies in the world.
The Doing Business project provides objective measures of business regulations and their enforcement across 190 economies and selected cities at the subnational and regional level. Launched in 2002, it looks at domestic small and medium-size companies and measures the regulations applying to them through their life cycle.
The Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Amina Mohammed: The UAE has Demonstrated its Commitment to Adopting Innovation and Technology to Achieve Sustainable Development.
H.E. Abdullah Nasser Lootah: The UN Provides One of the Best Platforms in the World to Share Knowledge, Experiences, and Best Practices on Data and Statistics.
New York, Dubai, 16 March 2019:
As part of the UAE participation in the meetings of the fiftieth session of the International Statistical Committee at United Nations Headquarters in New York, H.E. Abdullah Nasser Lootah, the Director-General of the Federal Authority for Competitiveness and Statistics (FCSA) and the Head of the UAE Delegation held a meeting with HE Amina Mohammed, the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations to discuss the UN SDGs and the opportunities for enhancing cooperation efforts to achieve them.
During the meeting, the officials tackled many related topics, while focusing on the latest technology trends, strategic partnerships, the centrality of the role of youth and the importance of supporting the implementation of data-based sustainable development initiatives around the world.
H.E. Lootah showcased the UAE’s experience and experiments in this field and shed a spotlight on the State’s efforts at the local and international levels to achieve the SDGs, including hosting the second session of the United Nations Global Data Forum in October 2018. The international event was considered as an additional opportunity to meet with stakeholders and focus on how to harness the power of data to serve humanity.
On this occasion, HE Amina Mohammed said: “I am delighted to meet again with the UAE delegation and members of the FCSA. The UAE has always been a committed member of supporting global efforts to achieve sustainable development goals, and the presence of a large team of officials at the meeting of the Fiftieth Session of the International Statistical Committee highlights the deep faith of UAE leadership in the vital role that data can do to achieve a prosperous future.”
On his side, Lootah pointed out: “The United Nations World Data Forum has established a strong and long-term relationship between statistics and data workers in the United Arab Emirates and the United Nations, specifically the International Statistical Committee. Communication and active participation among experts, private sector bodies, private sector companies, and social organizations around the world are the only way through which we can share experiences and innovations that support countries in their quest to achieve or exceed the goals of sustainable development.”
He added: “Today, we are here in New York to promote the commitment that everyone in this world, regardless where they live, can live a life free of poverty, hunger, and disease.”
It is worth mentioning that the International Committee of Statistics (ICS) comprises leading statistical experts from UN member states, and it is the highest decision-making body on international statistical activities.
General Secretariat of the National Committee on SDGs Launches First Report on Private Sector Sustainability Initiatives in UAE
Dubai, UAE- 18 August 2019
The Secretariat of the National Committee on Sustainable Development Goals launched the first report on private sector initiatives for sustainability in UAE titled "Achieving Sustainable Development Goals in the UAE: Private Sector Contributions." Global Strategy Consulting firm, Oliver Wyman developed the report in partnership with the Private Sector Advisory Council on SDGs (PSAC) founded by the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority (FCSA).
The report sheds a spotlight on the efforts exerted by the National Committee on SDGs to serve as a platform for coordination and partnerships through PSAC. It also focuses on the role of private companies in achieving SDGs by means of sharing ideas and practices on the key opportunities and challenges that companies face in their efforts to implement the UAE Agenda 2030.
The initiatives cover various sectors, including renewable energy, real estate, retail, aviation and land, and sea transport services. These initiatives have contributed to the UAE’s efforts to promote sustainability within the private sector and make progress towards achieving the 2030 global agenda of sustainability.
H.E. Abdullah Lootah, Director General of FCSA and Vice-Chair of the National Committee on SDGs and Chair of the PSAC on SDGs, stated: "At a time of multiple drastic and relentless economic, social and technological changes experienced by the world, the public and private sectors partnerships and the achievement of sustainable progress and prosperity for the society of UAE become essential. Based on the initiatives and experiences presented by the report, the UAE has turned out to be a global role model in the governance of SDGs and harnessing the innovative partnerships between the public and private sectors to achieve them."
The report also reviews notable initiatives adopted by the National Committee on SDGs in UAE. The committee is the government team in charge of implementing the 17 SDGs in the UAE and was formed in January 2017 and chaired by Her Excellency Reem Bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation. The committee’s members include 17 federal level government authorities who agreed on a road map for the year 2030. The road map focuses on four key stages, including raising awareness, establishing the foundations, developing policies, reporting the progress achieved, and monitoring the performance.
Greg Rung, Partner at Oliver Wyman, stated: "The ongoing cooperation between the UAE government and the private sector is crucial in boosting the country’s efforts to implement the United Nation’s 17 SDGs successfully."
"Oliver Wyman is proud to collaborate with PSAC for producing this report and partner with the entity to support the UAE government in its commitment to successfully achieving a prosperous and sustainable future for all," added Rung.
Members of PSAC have also drafted a consultative framework used as a formal mechanism to engage the private sector in UAE and move forward in achieving UAE Agenda 2030. Additionally, PSAC developed a strategy to engage the youth, to ensure that development is not only for the youth but also for and through them to further promote and increase their positive contributions as agents of change.
H.E. Abdullah Lootah concluded his statement by stating: "Recognizing that the implementation of SDGs could only get ahead by involving all relevant stakeholders from different government and private sectors, we have pooled resources with the Oliver Wyman team to prepare this important report with sights set to shed light on the efforts of the private sector as a strategic partner of the UAE government. I am proud of the commitment of the members of PSAC and their contributions to supporting the sustainability process in UAE, and the dissemination of such UAE experiences to the global community."
The report showcases the most important sustainability initiatives developed by 12 national and international companies operating in UAE, namely: Dubai Holding Company, Careem, Majid Al Futtaim Group, DP World, EMAAR Group, Al Serkal Group, First Abu Dhabi Bank, Emirates Airline, Multinational Companies Business Group, Dubai Free Zones Council and MASDAR Group.
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