FCSC – Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Center

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DATA FOR A BETTER FUTURE

Press Release
Mohammed bin Rashid approves National Programme for Developing Statistics System in UAE
Asset 11
23 Jul 2026

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.

Mohammed bin Rashid approves National Programme for Developing Statistics System in UAE
Asset 11
23 Jul 2026

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.

UAE Strengthens Position as a Global Aviation Hub as Passenger Traffic Reaches 156.8 Million
Asset 11
10 Jul 2026

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 Shapes Global Competitiveness Agenda at Inaugural IMD Summit on AI and Data
Asset 11
30 Jun 2026
  • 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.

Mohammed bin Rashid: UAE ranks 5th globally in overall competitiveness
Asset 11
18 Jun 2026

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.

UAE GDP Grows 6.2% in 2025, Reaching AED 1.9 Trillion
Asset 11
30 May 2026

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.

UAE Government Secures Leading Position in the World’s Top 10 in the Chandler Good Government Index 2026
Asset 11
17 May 2026

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.

Launching “Road to Sustainability” to enhance community awareness
Asset 11
18 Aug 2023

The National Committee for Sustainable Development Goals, in partnership with Emirates Transport, launched the "Road to Sustainability" campaign, which is organized as part of the UAE government’s efforts and projects in the Year of Sustainability, and within the framework of initiatives to enhance community awareness of the global sustainable development goals, and the importance of achieving them to ensure a better future for societies. A large number of government agencies and companies are participating in the campaign at the national level, and will continue until the end of 2024, and aims to spread awareness at the national level of the global goals for sustainable development.

H.E. Abdullah Lootah, Deputy Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Competitiveness and Knowledge Exchange, Deputy Chairman of the National Committee on Sustainable Development Goals, stressed that the campaign embodies the UAE government’s approach to motivating community members to adopt a sustainable lifestyle that contributes to building a better world for future generations.

Alex Rentier, CEO of Emirates Transport, expressed the company’s blessing for this purposeful national campaign.

The campaign was launched at the Head Office Building of the Emirates Transport in Dubai, in the presence of H.E. Abdullah Lootah and Shatha Al Hashimi, an advisor in the Government Experience Exchange Office. The event included a presentation that discussed the history of transportation in the UAE since its inception and gave a brief overview of its services. Following that, the "oad to Sustainability" started from its first station at the company’s headquarters, commencing its extended agenda until the end of the next year. The campaign utilizes an electric bus provided by the company to facilitate the team’s travels to various stations, destinations, and entities across different regions of the country.

​Khaled Shukr, the Director of Quality, Environment, Safety, and Occupational Health Department at Emirates Transport, explained that the electric bus has a capacity for 41 passengers in addition to the driver. It operates on a 315-kilowatt-hour battery that can be fast-charged in one hour and forty minutes (with a 180-kilowatt charger), allowing it to travel approximately 300 kilometers on a single charge.

Partnership agreements between the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Center and international institutions producing smart data
Asset 11
16 Feb 2023

​Dubai, Feb. 16 (WAM) — In a move to promote digital transformation in the UAE and to employ big data to support decision-making, the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Center (FCCC) announced on the sidelines of the World Government Summit, which concluded yesterday in Dubai, the signing of cooperation agreements and strategic partnerships with the aim of benefiting from the large inventory of big data produced by major international and national companies producing data, thus contributing to supporting decision-making and building development policies and strategic initiatives.

The cooperation and partnership agreements signed by the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Center included the signing of an agreement with Visa, a global leader in digital payments, as well as an agreement with Majid Al Futtaim, one of the oldest national brands with a regional reach, which owns a major chain of shopping malls, stores and entertainment establishments in the Middle East and North Africa.

– Visa and partnership in vital sectors.

Under the cooperation agreement with Visa, the UAE government, represented by the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Center, will be able to develop development initiatives. Based on the data provided by Visa to the health, education, tourism, consumption and other vital sectors data, which contributes to drawing an accurate perception of reality that is reflected on the community through innovative government initiatives, which contribute to improving the quality of life and promoting sustainable well-being.

– Majid Al Futtaim, mutual collaboration for knowledge partnerships. According to the agreement signed between the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre and Majid Al Futtaim, the two parties will work together to cooperate in the fields of statistical data and information, exchange experiences and information to enhance the country’s competitiveness in global reports and indicators, in addition to cooperation in the implementation of statistical surveys, training and holding seminars and workshops related to data science and statistics.

Joe Abi Akl, Chief Corporate Development Officer and Chief Communications Officer, Majid Al Futtaim Holding, stressed the importance of strategic partnerships and understandings between the public and private sectors, which represent an added value in optimizing the use of data to support innovative initiatives and knowledge-based government policies.

It is worth noting that all data The resulting agreements of understanding concluded between the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Center and its strategic partners are guaranteed confidentiality and protected by the Federal Law on the Protection of Personal Data, which represents an integrated framework to ensure the confidentiality of information, and protect the privacy of community members by providing sound governance for data management and protection, as the law defines the general frameworks for dealing with data, how to collect, process and store it, means to ensure its protection, and the rights and duties of all concerned parties.

UAE Government Launches ‘Data Index’ to Enhance Data Governance
Asset 11
23 Dec 2024
The UAE Government has launched the “Data Index,” designed in alignment with the global best practices in statistics and data management, to enhance government performance efficiency and measure advancements in national data governance.
The Index, developed as part of an integrated plan in collaboration between the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre (FCSC) and the Prime Minister’s Office at the Ministry of Cabinet Affairs, serves as a key benchmark enabling federal entities to manage and provide high-quality data and statistics adhering to international standards under the Data and Digital Government pillar within the "Ada’a" performance framework.
The “Data Index” launched during an event organized by FCSC, the initiative witnessed the participation of 120 data specialists representing 35 federal entities tasked with providing high-quality data within the "Ada’a" digital government framework.
This launch coincides with the recently introduced “Unified UAE Numbers” project, aimed at advancing the national statistical system, supporting the UAE’s progress across various economic, demographic, social, and environmental fields, and fostering transparency and efficiency in government data management. It aligns with the UAE’s vision of global leadership in leveraging data and statistics to support decision-making across three key pillars: enabling a proactive economy, enhancing human and societal well-being, and promoting environmental sustainability and renewable energy.
The “Data Index” underscores the UAE Government’s commitment to advancing digital transformation, optimizing government operations, and adopting cutting-edge technologies and solutions for robust data governance and secure data exchange.
Mohammed Hassan: "Data Index" Measures Progress in National Data Governance
His Excellency Mohammed Hassan, Executive Director of the Statistics and Data Sciences Sector at FCSC, stated: “The launch of the ‘Data Index’ aligns with the government’s direction to enhance performance efficiency and measure progress in national data governance as a future-oriented language. Its effective utilization will catalyze transformative improvements in service efficiency, resource management, and addressing global future challenges to shape a more prosperous and sustainable future.”
He further added, “The ‘Data Index’ encompasses three main pillars: governance of the regulatory and operational framework for data, application of the best statistical practices to enhance quality of government data, and implementation of digital transformation projects to manage all data production processes within participating federal entities. It ensures the reliability, quality, and comprehensiveness of data to support decision-making processes at all levels.”
Khalifa Al Habsi: The Index Provides High-Quality Data to Enhance Government Performance Efficiency
Dr. Khalifa Al Habsi, Director of Sectoral Strategies Performance Department at the Prime Minister’s Office, remarked: “The ‘Data Index’ was developed by a team of national experts at the Prime Minister’s Office in a constructive partnership with FCSC to improve government performance efficiency through the UAE Government’s ‘Ada’a’ system, ensuring the provision of high-quality data.”
He added, “The ‘Index’ covers vital sectors under a regulatory framework consistent with global statistical methodologies. It supports the planning and development of national policies and legislation, strengthens the UAE’s global competitiveness, and serves as a pivotal tool enabling federal entities to manage their data repositories effectively.”
Specialized Session Showcasing Data Index
The launch included orientation sessions for participating entities to understand the requirements for measuring the government’s “Data Index,” its evaluation criteria, and the significance of data in supporting the achievement of the “We the UAE 2031” vision. These sessions highlighted the importance of enhancing the UAE’s position on the global competitiveness map.
The “Data Index” reinforces data governance as a critical component of the development of government performance and operational sustainability through standardised criteria. It ensures the availability of reliable official data as a foundation for effective strategic decision-making and public policy formulation. Moreover, it upholds compliance with national and international privacy legislation, while improving operational efficiency by streamlining data flow between entities to support sustainable development goals and national indicators.

UAE Government launches ‘Unified UAE Numbers’ Project
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17 Dec 2024
The UAE government has launched the "Unified UAE Numbers" project, a landmark national initiative to advance and strengthen the country’s statistical system to support its ongoing development across various economic, demographic, social, environmental, and other fields.
The announcement was made during an event attended by His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, alongside heads and officials of the country’s statistical centres.
The project, which involves all local governments through respective statistical centres, aims to position the UAE as a global leader in utilising data and statistics to support effective decision-making. It focuses on three key areas: driving a proactive economy, supporting people and society, and promoting sustainable environments and renewable energy.
On this occasion, His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan emphasised that the project reflects the UAE government’s commitment to adopting cutting-edge technology and solutions for utilising data and statistics in decision-making, in collaboration with the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre, local statistical centres, executive councils nationwide, and private sector partners.
His Highness Sheikh Mansour added, “The achievements in statistics and data in the UAE serve as a cornerstone for ongoing development efforts, uniting us as a cohesive national team.”
During his meeting with statistical centres officials, Sheikh Mansour praised the collaboration between federal and local authorities, including the National Statistics Committee, chaired by the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre, and the involvement of ministries and government agencies.
He highlighted the importance of data in helping the UAE government make well-informed decisions and policies backed by accurate and comprehensive statistics, enhancing the nation’s competitiveness in key development sectors.
The project aims to streamline the national statistical release calendar and ensure accurate production of indicators at the national level. It also seeks to improve global competitiveness and foster international cooperation by providing detailed and accurate data on the UAE’s performance in global rankings, including GDP, inflation, foreign investment, infrastructure, the environment, and tourism.
Moreover, the project envisions a complete shift towards integrated digital surveys, promoting digital and data integration efforts, and building accurate records based on intelligent data collection and analysis. By leveraging modern technologies and digital platforms, the initiative aspires to create a unified data environment that facilitates strategic decision-making for national development.

The Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre Participates in the GCC Economic Competitiveness Forum to Establish a Unified Framework
Asset 11
08 Dec 2024
The Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre (FCSC) participated in the first Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Economic Competitiveness Forum, organised by Qatar’s Ministry of Finance in collaboration with the World Economic Forum.
The forum brought together representatives from GCC member states with the aim of establishing a unified framework to enhance economic competitiveness, expand areas of cooperation, and build future partnerships. The goal was to improve the GCC’s standings in global competitiveness reports and indices. During the event, the FCSC shared insights into the UAE’s institutionalised approach to managing global competitiveness, through an operational framework overseen by the National Competitiveness Committee.
The forum featured two key sessions: "The Future of GCC Competitiveness" and "Methodologies of Global Reports." These sessions highlighted the role of GCC competitiveness centres in shaping strategies and policies to bolster the region’s competitive capabilities.
Participants also discussed the Global Competitiveness Report issued by the World Economic Forum, which assesses the performance of 141 countries across 103 indicators, grouped into 12 main pillars. These include macroeconomic stability, infrastructure, innovation capacity, and business dynamism.
Hanan Ahli: Achieving GCC Aspirations for global Leadership in Competitiveness Indices
Her Excellency Hanan Mansour Ahli, Managing Director of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre, stated that the UAE’s participation in the forum reflects the depth of partnerships among GCC member states and the UAE leadership’s commitment to advancing collaborative efforts. These endeavours aim to achieve shared ambitions and position the GCC as a leader in global competitiveness indices.
She noted that the FCSC, operating within an organisational framework led by the National Competitiveness Committee, has developed an innovative and modern model. This approach enables the professional management of the competitiveness portfolio, fostering transformative change and realising future aspirations.
It is worth noting that the FCSC monitors more than 22 competitiveness reports issued by international organisations and tracks over 1,350 global competitiveness indicators across critical sectors such as the economy, health, education, and gender balance. The Centre aligns its efforts with global trends that enhance the UAE’s competitiveness, ensuring its appeal regionally and internationally.

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“RASMI” Initiative

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

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

The “RASMI” accreditation mark aims to:

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

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

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

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Enhance community trust in published national data and statistics.

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

مبــــــادرة "رســـــــمي"

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

تهـــدف علامــــة اعتمــــاد "رســــمي" لـ:

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

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ضمــــــان أعــلى درجــــــات الشـــــفـــــافيــــة والــــــدقــــة في إنتــــــاج لبيــــانــــــات الـــــــوطنيــــــة.

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

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تعـــــزيـــــــز ثقـــــــة المجتمــــــع فـــــي البيـــــــانــــــات والإحصــــــاءات الــــــوطنيـــــــة المنشـــــــورة.

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نشـــــــر الـــــــوعي الإحصـــــــائي بيـــــــن أفــــــراد المـــــــجتمع عبـــــــر محتــــــوى مـــــــرئي تفــــــــاعلي.