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DATA FOR A BETTER FUTURE
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, has approved the National Programme for Developing the Statistics System in the UAE.
This strategic initiative embodies the UAE’s commitment to enhancing the quality of official economic statistics, keeping pace with rapid transformations of the economy, and consolidating the UAE’s standing among the world’s leading economies.
The programme includes setting 2024 as the unified base year for national accounts and reconstructing the time series for the GDP of the UAE for the period 2010–2026. This will provide a more accurate and comprehensive picture of the real size, diversity, and growth momentum of the UAE’s economy, enhance the reliability of official economic statistics, and strengthen their international comparability.
This will also support economic decision-making, public policy development, and future planning, while also boosting the confidence of investors and international financial and economic institutions, thus contributing to the UAE’s emergence as a global economic powerhouse.
The programme comes in response to the structural transformations in the national economy in recent years, most notably the rapid growth of non-oil economic activities, the expansion in services, digital economy, technology, and investment sectors, and the utilisation of modern administrative data sources. That includes data generated by the implementation of corporate tax and value-added tax.
This provides more comprehensive coverage of economic activities and contributes to increasing the accuracy of their measurement, thus reflecting the country’s economic reality.
The programme is based on an integrated national framework for updating and harmonising national accounts, in accordance with the UN System of National Accounts and the best international statistical standards and recommendations. This is achieved through updating the base year, expanding data sources, and enhancing the integration of administrative records, ensuring the production of more accurate, consistent, and transparent economic indicators in line with the latest international practices.
The programme also reflects an institutional commitment to regularly updating the base year, in line with the best international standards and practices of statistics.
In addition, the programme adopts a unified national methodology for reviewing GDP data at the national level. This ensures the sustainable development of the national statistics system and its ability to keep pace with economic transformations.
All future updates will be conducted in line with internationally recognised methodological frameworks and based on the readiness and availability of national data, ensuring the continued quality and international comparability of official statistics.
The National Programme for Developing the Statistics System comprises a comprehensive review of national accounts, a globally recognised statistical practice adopted periodically by advanced statistical systems as national economies develop and more comprehensive data sources become available.
This aims to bolster the quality of GDP measurement by reflecting the continuous evolution of statistical methodologies and data sources, and to keep pace with the country’s economic growth.
The programme is executed through a comprehensive national partnership led by the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre, the national entity responsible for unifying official statistics across the UAE. This is achieved in coordination with local statistics centres in the various emirates and federal data providers within the framework of the national statistics system.
This approach enhances the integration of roles and the unification of data sources. The partnership includes multiple key national entities, most notably the Central Bank of the UAE, the Ministry of Finance, the Federal Tax Authority, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, the Emirates Investment Authority, Etihad Water and Electricity Company, and others. This collaborative effort provides a comprehensive national economic database that supports the development of a more accurate and detailed time series of GDP.
The National Programme for Developing the Statistics System in the UAE serves as the strategic umbrella for modernising the UAE’s national statistics system.
This to be achieved through an integrated package of legislative, institutional and technical initiatives, including the comprehensive national review of GDP, the national strategy for the statistics system, a package of policies supporting statistical work, the national platform for statistical data, the statistical leadership development programme and the UAE Principles for Official Statistics document, which supports economic decision-making and consolidates the country’s competitiveness as a leading global model in developing and producing official economic statistics.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, has approved the National Programme for Developing the Statistics System in the UAE.
This strategic initiative embodies the UAE’s commitment to enhancing the quality of official economic statistics, keeping pace with rapid transformations of the economy, and consolidating the UAE’s standing among the world’s leading economies.
The programme includes setting 2024 as the unified base year for national accounts and reconstructing the time series for the GDP of the UAE for the period 2010–2026. This will provide a more accurate and comprehensive picture of the real size, diversity, and growth momentum of the UAE’s economy, enhance the reliability of official economic statistics, and strengthen their international comparability.
This will also support economic decision-making, public policy development, and future planning, while also boosting the confidence of investors and international financial and economic institutions, thus contributing to the UAE’s emergence as a global economic powerhouse.
The programme comes in response to the structural transformations in the national economy in recent years, most notably the rapid growth of non-oil economic activities, the expansion in services, digital economy, technology, and investment sectors, and the utilisation of modern administrative data sources. That includes data generated by the implementation of corporate tax and value-added tax.
This provides more comprehensive coverage of economic activities and contributes to increasing the accuracy of their measurement, thus reflecting the country’s economic reality.
The programme is based on an integrated national framework for updating and harmonising national accounts, in accordance with the UN System of National Accounts and the best international statistical standards and recommendations. This is achieved through updating the base year, expanding data sources, and enhancing the integration of administrative records, ensuring the production of more accurate, consistent, and transparent economic indicators in line with the latest international practices.
The programme also reflects an institutional commitment to regularly updating the base year, in line with the best international standards and practices of statistics.
In addition, the programme adopts a unified national methodology for reviewing GDP data at the national level. This ensures the sustainable development of the national statistics system and its ability to keep pace with economic transformations.
All future updates will be conducted in line with internationally recognised methodological frameworks and based on the readiness and availability of national data, ensuring the continued quality and international comparability of official statistics.
The National Programme for Developing the Statistics System comprises a comprehensive review of national accounts, a globally recognised statistical practice adopted periodically by advanced statistical systems as national economies develop and more comprehensive data sources become available.
This aims to bolster the quality of GDP measurement by reflecting the continuous evolution of statistical methodologies and data sources, and to keep pace with the country’s economic growth.
The programme is executed through a comprehensive national partnership led by the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre, the national entity responsible for unifying official statistics across the UAE. This is achieved in coordination with local statistics centres in the various emirates and federal data providers within the framework of the national statistics system.
This approach enhances the integration of roles and the unification of data sources. The partnership includes multiple key national entities, most notably the Central Bank of the UAE, the Ministry of Finance, the Federal Tax Authority, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, the Emirates Investment Authority, Etihad Water and Electricity Company, and others. This collaborative effort provides a comprehensive national economic database that supports the development of a more accurate and detailed time series of GDP.
The National Programme for Developing the Statistics System in the UAE serves as the strategic umbrella for modernising the UAE’s national statistics system.
This to be achieved through an integrated package of legislative, institutional and technical initiatives, including the comprehensive national review of GDP, the national strategy for the statistics system, a package of policies supporting statistical work, the national platform for statistical data, the statistical leadership development programme and the UAE Principles for Official Statistics document, which supports economic decision-making and consolidates the country’s competitiveness as a leading global model in developing and producing official economic statistics.
Bin Touq:
- Results reflect the success of the UAE leadership’s forward-looking vision in in developing an advanced and sustainable aviation ecosystem.
The aviation sector continues to support economic growth and enhance the UAE’s global competitiveness.
Hanan Ahli:
- Air transport sector data reflects the efficiency of the UAE ecosystem and its role in enabling the continued growth of this vital sector.
A Success Story Driven by Data and Numbers
Results highlight the UAE’s strong performance across global aviation competitiveness indicators.
- Aviation remains a key driver of economic growth, strengthening the UAE’s position as a global hub for trade, tourism, and logistics.
- Official data and statistics continue to serve as a strategic foundation for policymaking, decision-making, and enhancing national competitiveness.
- Continued investment in airports, airlines, and logistics infrastructure supports the objectives of the “We the UAE 2031” vision.
The UAE reinforced its position as one of the world’s leading aviation hubs in 2025, with passenger traffic through the country’s airports reaching a record 156.8 million, marking a 6.1% increase compared to 147.8 million passengers in 2024. Aircraft movements also grew by 6.8%, reaching 855,300 movements.
The figures, released by the FCSC highlight the continued success of the UAE’s long-term strategy to develop a world-class aviation ecosystem through sustained investment in infrastructure, airports, and logistics services. These efforts have strengthened the UAE’s role as a global air transport hub and a strategic gateway connecting East and West, while supporting economic growth and sustainable development.
Abdullah bin Touq: UAE Continues to Strengthen Its Global Aviation Position
H.E Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism and Chairman of the Board of the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), affirmed that the latest results reflect the success of the UAE leadership’s vision in building an advanced and sustainable aviation ecosystem supported by world-class airports, infrastructure, and regulatory frameworks aligned with international best practices.
H.E. highlighted that the aviation sector continues to enhance the competitiveness of the national economy and strengthen the UAE’s position as a leading global air transport hub connecting East and West, as well as North and South.
He added that national efforts will continue, in collaboration with local and international partners, to further develop world-class logistics infrastructure, enhance the passenger experience, invest in national talent, and expand international partnerships, in line with the objectives of the “We the UAE 2031” vision.
Hanan Ahli: Data as a Driver for Better Decisions and Sustainable Growth
H.E Hanan Mansour Ahli, Managing Director of the FCSC, stated that air transport data reflects the efficiency of the UAE’s national ecosystem and highlights the sector’s contribution to sustainable economic growth.
H.E. emphasized that official statistics play a key role in supporting policymaking, informed decision-making, and measuring national performance, while strengthening the UAE’s position across global competitiveness indicators.
“The FCSC continues to enhance the national statistical system by providing reliable, high-quality official data aligned with international best practices. This enables effective performance measurement, supports future planning, and provides a comprehensive knowledge base for decision-makers,” H.E. added.
Record Growth in Passenger Traffic Across UAE Airports
According to FCSC data, total passenger traffic through UAE airports, including arrivals, departures, and transit passengers, reached 156.8 million passengers in 2025, compared to 147.8 million in 2024, an increase of 9 million passengers and growth of 6.1%.
Arrivals increased to 44.2 million passengers, compared to 41.6 million in 2024, while departures reached 43 million passengers, compared to 41.7 million. Transit passenger traffic recorded the strongest growth, rising by 8% to 69.5 million passengers, compared to 64.3 million in 2024.
Passenger traffic by emirate reflected continued growth across the UAE’s airports. Dubai Airports recorded 104.5 million passengers in 2025, compared to 100.9 million in 2024, representing 3.5% growth. Abu Dhabi Airports welcomed 34.2 million passengers, achieving 10.7% growth compared to 2024.
Sharjah International Airport recorded 16.9 million passengers, reflecting 10.7% growth, while Ras Al Khaimah International Airport surpassed one million passengers for the first time, recording an exceptional 56.8% increase compared to 2024. Fujairah International Airport achieved the highest growth rate, with passenger traffic increasing by 170% to reach 164.6 thousand passengers.
Growth in Aircraft Movements Reflects UAE’s Aviation Capacity
The growth of the UAE’s aviation sector extended beyond passenger traffic, with total aircraft movements reaching 855.3 thousand in 2025, compared to 801 thousand in 2024, representing 6.8% growth.
Aircraft arrivals increased by 7.3% to 414.3 thousand movements, while departures also grew by 7.3% to 414.1 thousand movements, reflecting the capacity, efficiency, and global connectivity of the UAE’s airport infrastructure.
Leading Global Performance in Aviation Competitiveness
The UAE continues to achieve strong global rankings across key aviation competitiveness indicators, ranking:
1st globally in the Air Transport Quality indicator in the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook 2026.
3rd globally in the Efficiency of Air Transport Services indicator.
3rd globally in Available Airline Seats per Week per Million Population.
8th globally in the Number of Operating Airlines indicator.
10th globally in the Air Services Agreements indicator, according to the World Economic Forum’s Travel & Tourism Development Report 2024.
6th globally in the Air Connectivity indicator in the Future Readiness Economic Index 2023.
These results reaffirm the UAE’s position as one of the world’s leading aviation hubs, supported by an integrated national aviation ecosystem, advanced infrastructure, and the strategic role of official data in measuring performance and strengthening global competitiveness
- UAE delegation participates in the inaugural Global Competitiveness Summit in Zurich.
- Hanan Mansour Ahli: The UAE’s participation reflects its position as a global model for shaping the future and redefining competitiveness pillars.
The UAE delegation participated in the inaugural Global Competitiveness Summit 2026, held in Zurich, Switzerland. The event was organised by the International Institute for Management Development (IMD), bringing together senior government officials, leading economists and competitiveness experts, global CEOs, and heads of international organisations. The summit featured the world’s largest high-level dialogue on shaping the future of global competitiveness in an era defined by AI, big data, and accelerating economic, geopolitical, and technological transformation.
Represented by the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre (FCSC), the UAE took part as an institutional partner of the summit’s inaugural edition, contributing to discussions on the future of competitiveness and economic policy. The participation builds on the UAE’s ranking among the world’s top five most competitive economies in IMD’s World Competitiveness Yearbook, underscoring its global leadership in government excellence, economic resilience, future readiness, and AI.
The UAE delegation was headed by Her Excellency Hanan Mansour Ahli, Managing Director of the FCSC, with the participation of Mariam Al Afridi, Executive Director of the Office of Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum – Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, alongside representatives from First Abu Dhabi Bank Group.
H.E. Hanan Mansour Ahli, Managing Director of the FCSC and Head of the UAE delegation, stated that, “The UAE’s participation as an institutional partner in the inaugural Global Competitiveness Summit launched by IMD, together with its ranking among the world’s top five economies in the World Competitiveness Yearbook, reflects its position as a global model for shaping the future and redefining competitiveness pillars. The world is moving beyond traditional KPIs towards AI- and data-driven models that will fundamentally transform how competitiveness is assessed, managed, and developed.”
“The summit reflects a fundamental shift in the global understanding of competitiveness; from measuring performance to continuously managing competitiveness in the age of AI. For the UAE, it provides an important platform to showcase its experience in leveraging data and AI to inform decision-making and shape public policy, thus enhancing future readiness, economic resilience, sustainable development and long-term prosperity,” H.E. added.
H.E. Ahli participated in the summit’s plenary session, which brought together representatives from the world’s five highest-ranked economies in the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook to exchange best practices and policy approaches that promote competitiveness and future readiness. She further joined a panel discussion titled ” From lean to resilient: How companies can readjust in a volatile world.,” which examined the shift from operational efficiency towards resilient and sustainable organisational models. The discussion highlighted the importance of institutional capacity-building and economic resilience as essential drivers of sustained competitiveness and long-term growth.
Dr. Mariam Al Afridi participated in a session titled “The role of middle powers and the Global South within a realigned global order.” Her remarks explored one of the emerging dimensions of competitiveness: the rise of the experience economy as a new source of competitive advantage. She noted that the future competitiveness of middle powers will increasingly depend not on their size, but rather on their ability to create compelling experiences that attract talent, investment, entrepreneurs, and institutions. In a world where attractiveness is becoming as important as productivity, experience economy has become one of the defining drivers of competitiveness in the decades ahead.
During the summit, the UAE presented a paper titled “Competitiveness in the Age of Artificial Intelligence,” examining how rapid advances in AI are reshaping the global economy, redefining competitiveness, and transforming the sources of competitive advantage. The paper highlighted the importance of developing integrated national AI ecosystems as the strategic infrastructure underpinning future competitiveness, encompassing advanced computing capabilities, data, national talent, governance frameworks, and digital infrastructure that enable sustainable growth and long-term prosperity.
The summit announced the results of the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook 2026, ranking the UAE among the world’s top five most competitive economies for the second consecutive year. The UAE outperformed major economies including the United States, Denmark, Sweden, and the Netherlands, while retaining its position as the leading economy in the region for the tenth consecutive year. It ranked first globally in 21 competitiveness indicators, among the top five in 67 indicators, and among the top ten in 118 indicators spanning labour markets, infrastructure, government partnership, innovation, AI, and education.
The UAE’s participation in the Global Competitiveness Summit reflects its long-standing institutional partnership with the IMD World Competitiveness Centre through the FCSC, which leads national efforts related to the World Competitiveness Yearbook and other IMD competitiveness reports. The summit serves as a global platform for dialogue on the future of competitiveness and the economic and technological trends shaping national performance, while the World Competitiveness Yearbook, published annually since 1989, continues to be one of the world’s leading benchmarks for assessing the competitiveness of economies.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, affirmed that the UAE continues, under the leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to advance its development journey and solidify its position as a global model of competitiveness and excellence across all sectors.
His Highness said, “Under the leadership of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, the UAE continues to affirm its place among the world’s most competitive nations. The IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook 2026 ranks us 5th globally, 1st in Economic Performance, 1st across 21 indicators, including Bureaucracy, Adaptability of Government Policy and in the top 5 globally across 67 indicators.”
His Highness added, “These results are the product of a national vision, capable institutions and teams across every sector who perform and deliver. Competitiveness for us is not a ranking to chase; it is a standard we set for ourselves every day. It is what raises the quality of life for our people, earns the confidence of the world, and confirms that the UAE is moving steadily towards a future of greater prosperity and leadership.”
His Highness affirmed that the UAE will continue to build on its position as a destination of choice for investors, a magnet for global talent and ambition, and a genuine partner for entrepreneurs and innovators, noting that the results are a testament to the strength and adaptability of the UAE’s development model.
The UAE’s performance in the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook 2026, published by the World Competitiveness Centre at the International Institute for Management Development in Lausanne, Switzerland, places the country in the top 10 globally across 118 indicators and within the top 5 globally in 67 key criteria and sub-factors.
The country ranked 1st globally in 21 indicators, most notably Bureaucracy, Adaptability of Government Policy, Employment, International Experience, National Culture, Value System, and Quality of Air Transportation.
The UAE ranked 2nd globally in Citizen Trust in AI, Creation of Firms, Females in Parliament, and Management of Cities. It ranked 3rd globally in Image Abroad or Branding, Society’s Access to AI, Tourism Receipts, Exports of Goods and Energy Infrastructure, and 4th globally in Government Efficiency, Companies Investment in AI, and Legal and Regulatory Framework.
The results reflect the progress the UAE has achieved across labour markets, innovation, digital transformation, infrastructure, education and government policy, reinforcing its competitive standing at both regional and global levels.
The IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook is one of the world’s most authoritative references for measuring national competitiveness. The 2026 edition covers 70 economies and draws on statistical data and executive opinion surveys from the global business community to assess how effectively countries manage their resources and deliver sustainable prosperity.
The Yearbook is structured around four main factors: Economic Performance, Government Efficiency, Business Efficiency and Infrastructure, and encompasses 20 sub-factors and 342 competitiveness criteria spanning economic, administrative and social dimensions.
The UAE’s GDP grew by 6.2% in 2025, compared to 2024 according to figures released by the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre, reaching AED 1.9 trillion, while Non-oil GDP recorded strong growth of 6.8% over the same period, reaching AED 1.5 trillion.
Commenting on the results, H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism, said: “The national economy continues to deliver exceptional performance under the leadership and guidance of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and with the support of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.” He noted that the positive indicators reflect the success of the UAE’s economic model in building one of the world’s most dynamic, competitive, and diversified economies. He added that the sustained expansion of non-oil sectors and the growing contribution of emerging industries reflect steady progress towards the objectives of the “We the UAE 2031” vision.
“The UAE’s agile economic policies, guided by our leadership’s future-oriented vision and proactive response to global developments, have accelerated the diversification of the national economy, strengthened its competitiveness and sustainable growth, and supported the transition towards a more diversified economic structure. This further enhances the UAE’s position as a global hub for the new economy, expands its appeal as a destination for investment and business, and promotes its resilience and ability to adapt to international shifts. These achievements have been supported by a flexible business environment, advanced legislation, and a broad network of global economic partnerships,” H.E. added.
For her part, H.E. Hanan Mansour Ahli, Managing Director of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre, stated that the strong economic performance recorded in 2025 reflects the success of the UAE’s development and economic policies in promoting economic stability and enhancing the competitiveness of key sectors. She highlighted the UAE’s continued efforts to develop its legislative framework, foster economic diversification, build a flexible and attractive business ecosystem, enhance infrastructure, and invest in key economic sectors.
“The UAE continues to promote its future economic readiness through investment in the digital economy, technology and innovation, while developing an integrated economic ecosystem that supports long-term growth and reinforces the country’s position as a global hub for business and investment,” H.E. added.
Key economic sectors demonstrated strong performance in 2025, with construction leading at 11.1%, followed by financial and insurance (10.4%), real estate (7.9%), and transport and storage (7.8%).
In terms of non-oil GDP contributions, trade accounted for the largest share at 16.9%, followed by financial and insurance activities (13.2%), construction (12.9%), and manufacturing (12.8%), reflecting the diversity of the national economy.
The results reflect the efficiency of the national statistical system in providing accurate and reliable economic data to support policymaking and informed decision-making.
National statistical entities continue to implement an integrated programme to modernise economic statistics, enhance data quality and integration, and align outputs with international standards and best practices. This supports the UAE’s ability to keep pace with economic transformation and strengthen future readiness.
Results reflect the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and the continued guidance and efforts of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in advancing government excellence.
- First globally in government innovation, strategic prioritisation, and adaptability in executing plans and strategies
- Second globally in leadership and foresight
- Second globally in government services satisfaction, employment indicators, and adaptability
- Third globally in long-term vision and institutional coordination
In a renewed affirmation of the success of its development model built on proactiveness, adaptability, and future readiness, the UAE Government has further strengthened its global standing by securing its position among the world’s top 10 in the 2026 Chandler Good Government Index (CGGI).
This achievement reflects the vision of the UAE’s leadership in building a future-focused government grounded in innovation, institutional excellence, and adaptability to global transformations. It further reinforces the country’s position as a global model for modern governance.
The UAE’s advanced performance highlights the success of its government approach in transforming national ambitions into tangible global achievements. This is driven by the development of an integrated government ecosystem that combines effective policymaking, economic competitiveness, wellbeing, and investment in people. The approach aligns with the objectives of the “We the UAE 2031” vision and strengthens the UAE’s global standing as a trusted partner and a hub for shaping the future.
The UAE’s progress in the Chandler Good Government Index – one of the world’s most comprehensive benchmarks for assessing government effectiveness across 133 countries, underscores the strength of its governance model. This model is built on proactiveness, speed of delivery, government agility, and readiness to navigate global changes, alongside the ability to create opportunities while consistently achieving leading global results.
His Excellency Mohammad Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs, stated:
“Guided by the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the UAE has succeeded in redefining the concept of government work globally through a model based on speed of achievement, operational excellence, and continuous readiness and agility in decision-making and development.
“The UAE leadership did not settle for building a traditional government that manages the present, but instead established a government that shapes the future, creates opportunities, anticipates change, and transforms global challenges into new pathways for growth and development. International indicators reflect the position the UAE has attained as one of the world’s most efficient, agile, and effective governments. This achievement embodies a leadership vision that places people at the centre of progress and recognises that shaping the future requires innovative thinking, proactive action, and a culture that knows no limits. What has been achieved is the result of national teams that have made excellence a daily approach and innovation a way of working, positioning the UAE as a global benchmark in building the governments of the future.”
The UAE achieved advanced results, ranking first regionally and across the Arab world in good governance. It also topped several global indicators, ranking first worldwide in government innovation, strategic prioritisation, and adaptability in executing plans and strategies, reflecting the efficiency of its governance model in anticipating the future and translating vision into tangible outcomes.
The UAE also ranked second globally in government services satisfaction, adaptability, and employment indicators, demonstrating the success of its policies in enhancing wellbeing, improving service efficiency, empowering national talent, and attracting global talent. Furthermore, it ranked third globally in long-term vision and institutional coordination indicators, reflecting the strength of its government model based on institutional integration, long-term strategic planning, and the ability to develop flexible policies that keep pace with global changes and accelerate government performance.
The Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Center (FCSC) has signed an memorandum of understanding with the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) to enhance national capabilities in data science and artificial intelligence. This came within the activities of the " Mobilising Big Data and Data Science for the Sustainable Development Goals" forum, which was organized at Expo 2020 Dubai in cooperation with the United Nations Expert Group on Big Data and Official Statistics. The partnership seeks to establish a foundation for mutual strategic cooperation between national institutions in supporting youth issues, developing artificial intelligence applications and data science, and building national capacities to accelerate the achievement of sustainable development goals.
The agreement aims to consolidate strategic cooperation between the two parties by providing specialized training programs in the field of artificial intelligence and data science.
Professor Eric Xing, President of MBZUAI, said: "The signing of this agreement with the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Center represents an important step towards building national capabilities in the field of data and artificial intelligence by aligning projects and training programs with national goals, both employees and students at the university will benefit from this cooperation.
Her Excellency Hanan Ahli, Acting Director of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Center, said that this memorandum represents a roadmap for joint cooperation and benefiting from artificial intelligence solutions and applications to be used by experts at the center to analyze and process data, as well as providing the opportunity to use data in the research and projects of university students as well as in the research of professors and researchers.
Data and technology experts applaud the launch of the global platform for big data for sustainable development goals in the United Arab Emirates.
Several high-ranking officials and experts from government and private sectors, as well as those working in the information and communications technology sector in the country, have commended the importance of the launch of the United Nations platform for big data for sustainable development goals. This launch took place at Expo Dubai 2020 and was attended by more than 86 international experts in 16 sessions. It was witnessed by high-ranking government officials in the country, United Nations officials, and big data experts from more than 22 countries around the world, in addition to top executives from various international and national companies, as well as academics and students.
Regarding the importance of the forum, Dr. Saeed Saif Al Matrooshi, Secretary-General of the Ajman Executive Council, emphasized that the Government of Ajman, under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman and Chairman of the Executive Council, is eager to learn about distinguished practices and pioneering experiences to stay updated with developments and propose innovative solutions in the field of big data. Big data has revolutionized the world of statistics and its future globally.
His Excellency Ahmed Mahmoud Fikri, Director-General of SCAD, stressed the importance of participation and cooperation in global events and conferences related to big data and artificial intelligence technologies, especially those related to achieving sustainable development goals. He highlighted the global and regional significance of this forum, held in conjunction with Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week. The week serves as a platform bringing together experts, decision-makers, government officials, and business leaders from the region and around the world to exchange experiences and discuss best practices.
Eng. Mohammed Al Zarooni, Deputy Director-General of the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority for the Information and Digital Government Sector, stated that the launch of the United Nations Big Data Platform for Sustainable Development Goals in the UAE marks a significant qualitative leap in the country’s strategic role in all areas related to digital transformation, particularly in the big data sector. The Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) is pleased to participate in this forum due to its substantial value and impact in utilizing data to achieve sustainable development goals for the benefit of humanity.
His Excellency Younus Al Nasser, Assistant Director-General at Digital Dubai and CEO of Dubai Data Establishment, emphasized the effective contribution of public and private sector data to accelerate the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. By collaborating and analyzing available data from cities, use cases can be identified that not only stimulate economic growth but also have a positive impact on people and the environment.
Her Excellency Thuraya Al Hashimi, Executive Director of the Digital Data Enabling Sector at FCSC, attributed the success of the UAE in hosting the regional headquarters to the collective efforts of the center’s team and the support of its government and national statistical center partners in the country. They have worked closely with the scientific community, researchers, and statisticians, all of whom have commended the UAE’s efforts in keeping pace with global developments and advancing new methodologies and frameworks to link various big data systems while adapting to changes in the global statistical system. This effort also supports global initiatives aimed at achieving sustainable development goals.
Eng. Anwar Mohammed Al-Shammari, Executive Director of the Geospatial Information Governance Sector at the Federal Center for Geographical Information, stressed the importance of promoting and developing the big data sector and industry in the country. This sector plays a strategic role in the country’s journey toward digital transformation and enhances the role of data in supporting efforts to achieve sustainable development goals, particularly in the spatial data sector.
Dr. Hajar Al Hubaishi, Executive Director of Ajman Statistics and Competitiveness Center, underlined the significance of building strategic partnerships and exchanging experiences to promote access to a knowledge-based economy, aligning with the strategic goal of the country.
Dina Fares, Acting Director General of Ajman Digital Government, emphasized that the launch of the platform represents a significant qualitative leap in the strategic role played by the UAE in the big data sector and in achieving sustainable development goals.
Among private sector participants, Samer Assem, General Manager of Al Mazrouei & Partners, highlighted that big data has become an essential tool for the success of businesses in various industries, especially those relying on digital infrastructure for manufacturing, sales, or distribution.
Eng. Waleed Al-Nokrashy, CEO of UAE Digital Lab, specializing in digital transformation, emphasized that the advanced infrastructure of the UAE makes it a focal point for international companies specialized in data, creating an inspiring environment for smart societies.
The forum witnessed the development of strategic partnerships and received substantial support from local and international entities in the public and private sectors, both locally and globally.
Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimy: The UAE has placed sustainable development at the heart of its strategies since its establishment to ensure prosperity and development
Minister of State for International Cooperation and Chair of the National Committee for Sustainable Development Goals, Her Excellency Reem Bint Ibrahim Al Hashimy, affirmed that the government of the United Arab Emirates adopts the Sustainable Development Goals and supports the United Nations’ vision in accelerating the achievement of these goals for the betterment of societies and people.
This came on the occasion of holding the first meetings of the Committee for the year 2022 within the agenda Global Sustainable Development Goals Week, held from From 15 to 19 January, at Expo 2020 Dubai.
Her Excellency said that under the directions of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan president of the United Arab Emirates, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Nahyan Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander for the armed forces, the UAE is keen to maintain its advanced position and to Remains the global leader in launching the most important programs and initiatives that support communities humanity around the world, and playing a leading and active role in achieving development goals sustainable, based on an innovative scientific methodology based on Visions & Plans A knowledge-based strategy based on factual and accurate data and statistics reflects the reality of the world."
The Chairperson of the Committee stressed that the UAE has put sustainable development in the core of its plans and strategies since its establishment, to ensure the prosperity and development of the country and its citizens. Noting the importance of joint work between all federal and local government entities, and effective coordination between the government and private sectors and strengthening partnership with the community to achieve the objectives of the agenda in the country.
Her Excellency said: "There is not much time left for the deadline, international communities must focus on action and implementation by 2030. The challenges facing the world are growing in magnitude and complexity, it has therefore become vital to adopt immediate solutions that mitigate obstacles relatively smaller, enabling individuals and organizations to operate efficiently and effectively with the biggest and most complex challenges in the medium and long term."
Her Excellency commended the committee members for their dedicated efforts in advancing diverse social, economic, and environmental initiatives both within the country and internationally. She emphasized that the Sustainable Development Goals are more than just a global approach or an international agenda; they are a humanitarian mission aimed at enhancing societies and the well-being of individuals, who are the foundation of developmental endeavors in communities. The Sustainable Development Goals play a significant and pivotal role within Expo 2020, offering an unprecedented opportunity to spearhead global efforts towards ensuring a sustainable future, fostering positive transformations, and envisioning new horizons in the field of sustainability, not only within the UAE but also on a global scale.
His Excellency Abdullah Lootah: "The year 2022 is very important in the UAE’s journey to achieve sustainability goals, as it coincides with the beginning of the country’s march towards the next fifty years"
The meeting was chaired by H.E. Abdullah Nasser Lootah, Vice Chairman of the National Committee on Sustainable Development Goals, chaired the first meeting in 2022, which witnessed the attendance of Dr. Hussein Abdul Rahman Al Rand, Assistant Under-Secretary for Centres and Health Clinics in the Ministry of Health and Prevention; Hanan Mansour Ahli, Acting Director of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre, and members of the National Committee on SDGs. A number of sessions, presentations and discussions were held, reviewing various initiatives and steps taken by the Committee during the past year, and discussed strategies and priorities for the next stage, including efforts and plans to promote the achievement of development goals in the nation.
Abdullah Lootah stated that 2022 marks a significant milestone in the UAE’s journey towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. This coincides with the commencement of the nation’s journey towards the next fifty years, during which various initiatives and programs will be launched to support the vision of the wise leadership in realizing the pillars of the UAE Centennial 2071. This effort aligns with global sustainability priorities and has been recognized by the United Nations as a "decade of work" dedicated to achieving these goals.
Hanan Ahli: New plans, ideas and initiatives reflect positively on the process of achieving Sustainable Development Goals.
H.E. Hanan Mansour Ahli, Acting Director of the Federal Competitiveness Statistics Centre, remarked that the committee members and their dedicated teams demonstrated remarkable resilience and adaptability. Despite the challenges posed by the global landscape, be it the lingering impacts of the "Covid-19" pandemic or the fluctuations in climate and geopolitical dynamics, they successfully developed plans, ideas, initiatives, and proposals for the year 2022. These discussions and deliberations exemplified a shared spirit of integration, consensus, and unwavering determination to propel the UAE forward.
Hanan Ahli further emphasized, "The UAE has made significant strides in the realm of sustainable development, receiving accolades from major international institutions that meticulously assess the country’s performance across a wide array of competitive indicators tied to sustainable development. The UAE proudly claimed the top global ranking in 97 of these indicators linked to Sustainable Development Goals and secured a position among the top ten on a global scale in 268 other indicators. To reinforce our leadership position both regionally and internationally, it becomes imperative to redouble government efforts in the pursuit of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Additionally, fostering collaborations between the public and private sectors is vital to advance these objectives, making sustainable development an overarching societal priority in the UAE."
She noted, "The comprehensive data supplied by government agencies plays a pivotal role in advancing the UAE’s endeavors to realize the Sustainable Development Goals. It aids in the development of innovative initiatives and informed decision-making based on precise and accurate data." Hanan Ahli emphasized the significance of harnessing the global platform provided by Expo 2020 and the array of international events and activities it hosts. These events offer a unique opportunity to showcase the UAE’s successful experiences in achieving these goals on a global stage.
Projects Fast and high-impact companies.
During the meeting, committee members reached a consensus on the paramount importance of prioritizing planning and executing projects and initiatives that are characterized by their swiftness and ease of implementation, while also ensuring they yield substantial and clearly visible impacts. They underscored the significance of collaborative efforts among the government agencies involved in the Committee to reinforce the nation’s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals.
Furthermore, the meeting highlighted the most prominent efforts and initiatives undertaken at both national and international levels. It was noted that the global partnerships established by the UAE have played a crucial role in assisting countries and communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. This support included providing medical and food assistance to various parts of the world, aligning with the objectives of Sustainable Development, such as eradicating hunger, combating poverty, and ensuring access to sound healthcare, among other vital goals.
The National Committee for Sustainable Development Goals, established in 2017, is dedicated to the implementation of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. This committee plays a pivotal role in aligning the UAE’s national development priorities with the UN’s developmental goals, facilitating information-sharing among stakeholders, and supporting the integrated implementation of these developmental objectives. Comprising of 17 members, its mission is to provide essential support for goal implementation, monitor progress, and engage stakeholders in the collective efforts to achieve these objectives. Additionally, the committee collaborates in aligning sustainable development goals with the UAE’s national agenda, including the National Wellbeing Strategy, and works in coordination with the youth, the private sector, and knowledge institutions to ensure the effective implementation of these vital development goals.
Dubai (Union) – The Higher Committee for Coordinating Statistical Work at the national level had its fourth meeting at the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre in Dubai; where they discussed the National Statistics Strategy plan, as part of its efforts to enhance continuous assessments of new emerging needs and improve the efficiency of the statistical system to serve development programs at both the national and international levels. The meeting was attended by H.E. Sheikh Sultan bin Abdullah Al Qasimi, Director of the Department of Statistics and Community Development, H.E. Hanan Ahli, Managing Director of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre and Chairman of the Committee, H.E. Abdullah Gharib AlQemzi, Acting Director General of the Statistics Centre – Abu Dhabi, H.E. Younus Al Nasser, Assistant Director General, Digital Dubai & CEO, Dubai Data Establishment, Dr. Hajar Al Hubaishi, Executive Director of Ajman Statistics Center, Najwa Yaqoub, Executive Director of the Ras Al Khaimah Center for Statistics and Studies, and H.E. Dr. Ibrahim Saad, Director of Fujairah Statistics Center. H.E. Hanan Ahli, emphasized the importance of enhancing cooperation between the statistical entities in the country through the exchange of knowledge and experiences and unifying standards of statistical processes. She pointed out that the upcoming action plan will prioritize designing the future statistical system and ways to improve the competitiveness of the UAE in global reports and indicators. She highlighted the importance of focusing on technical areas with a high impact on the national statistical strategy. The Committee stressed the importance of the participation of the UAE delegation in the fifty-fifth session of the United Nations Statistical Commission, in coordination with the Office of the Permanent Mission of the UAE to the United Nations, as the meetings of the Committee represent an ideal opportunity to build channels of communication and fruitful cooperation with international statistical authorities. It is worth mentioning that the Higher Committee for Coordinating Statistical Work was established at the national level in 2016 as a national initiative aimed at enhancing partnership opportunities, developing mechanisms for joint work, intensifying coordination among statistical entities in areas of statistical work development, and designing policies and implementing strategies based on data supporting decision-making processes.
Dubai, the United Arab Emirates- 16th February 2020
The Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority (FCSA) participates in the Global Women’s Forum Dubai 2020 (GWFD 2020) scheduled to be held today under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, during 16-17 February 2020 under the theme “The Power of Influence”.
As per the forum agenda, FCSA is participating in several main sessions, in addition to introducing an innovative digital interactive screen designed to display the most recent facts and figures on the UAE journey in empowering women, and its achievements in the most important global competitiveness reports and indicators on women empowerment and gender balance.
FCSA would also introduce a special report on the role of women in development in partnership with the Dubai Women Establishment, National Committee on Sustainable Development Goals, and the Arab Youth Center.
On its participation in GWFD 2020, H.E. Abdullah Nasser Lootah, FCSA Director-General stated: “FCSA is proud to actively participate in GWFD 2020 by contributing to the main agenda and providing the essential support to this important global event. GWFD 2020 is a platform to document the UAE sustained achievements in realizing gender balance and women empowerment in all areas.”
“FCSA would make sure to shed light on the UAE notable achievements in areas of laws, procedural improvements and the results achieved due to accurate and updated data, and their repercussions on the most important global competitiveness reports and indicators,” H.E. Lootah added.
Plenary Sessions
H.E. Hanan Ahli, Executive Director of the Competitiveness and SDGs Sector at FCSA, said: “FCSA would showcase its experience in several dossiers on women’s empowerment and their relationship to achieving SDGs 2030 through supporting decision-makers. Such support is realized by providing and making the accurate and up-to-date data accessible to them, and introducing legislative and procedural improvements to laws on women and their role in society, as well as the economic and knowledge development processes.”
H.E. Ahli stated: “FCSA aims through its participation in GWFD 2020 to showcase the adopted best practices in UAE which in total designed to achieve sustainable development. We would also present UAE’s success stories in harnessing the competitiveness strategy to achieve humanitarian goals, in addition to the most important lessons learned in producing and making data on women’s empowerment accessible to the public.”
An Interactive and Figure-Based Screen Highlighting Emirati Women Leadership
As part of the its input to the forum, FCSA plans to reveal an interactive display screen to all visitors and guests to view the recent data, statistics, and indicators of global competitiveness achieved by UAE in addition to all that related to supporting and enhancing women’s leadership, pioneering and social role in UAE. This data is displayed in a unique interactive visual style which facilitate displaying and explaining the data and indicators smoothly and simply.”
Noteworthy, the second edition of GWFD2020 would tackle several thematic subjects that present diverse insights and international experiences from around the world. Part of the prominent dossiers that would be addressed is the role of women in the Fourth Industrial Revolution and their contribution to achieving SDGs and the innovation industry. GWFD 2020 agenda would also address other several topics, namely peace and prosperity, the role of governments in developing strategies to ensure gender balance, and harnessing modern technology to achieve this balance and the most effective empowerment in all areas.
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