Media Center
DATA FOR A BETTER FUTURE
The U.A.E. will participate with a large government delegation in the work of the "High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development", organized by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs at its headquarters in New York from July 8 to 17. The forum, which is being held this year under the theme "Promoting the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Eradicating Poverty in Times of Multiple Crises: Effectively Implementing Sustainable, Resilient and Innovative Solutions", with the participation and attendance of more than 1,000 delegates and delegates from various governments of the world and international organizations, aims to promote sustainable development, follow up global efforts in this regard, anticipate current and emerging challenges and innovate solutions to them, by exchanging knowledge on the best experiences and expertise, coordinating and evaluating policies and supporting global efforts to accelerate the achievement of the goals Sustainable development for the good of societies. The UAE delegation will participate in key working sessions, multiple seminars and a series of bilateral meetings, during which it will present the UAE’s pioneering experiences and its distinguished model in achieving the path of sustainable development, which succeeded in bringing together Development initiatives, financing programs, development assistance and strategic partnerships with countries and governments of the world and international organizations and highlighting their distinguished efforts in supporting the transformation of the 17 basic goals set by the United Nations to reach an effective system for sustainable global development by the end of the current decade. The UAE delegation to the High-Level Political Forum includes a number of government officials, representatives of the National Committee for Sustainable Development Goals, the Government Knowledge Exchange Office, the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Center at the Ministry of Cabinet Affairs, the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, Masdar, the Emirates Red Crescent Authority, and the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, in coordination with the Permanent Mission of the UAE to the United Nations. The UAE government delegation will hold a series of bilateral meetings with leaders, political officials and experts from international organizations, institutions and global working groups that support societies and countries to achieve the sustainable development goals, and the delegation will also present a range of initiatives, programs and success stories implemented by UAE entities in various fields of sustainable development around the world. U.A.E A key supporter of the development goals Abdullah Nasser Lootah, Assistant Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Knowledge Exchange and Competitiveness, stressed that the UAE, under the directives of its wise leadership, has established its leading position on the world map as a key partner and key international supporter to achieve the 17 sustainable development goals set by the United Nations until 2030, and that its tireless participation in the forum in the forum reflects its keenness to exchange knowledge and share successful experiences and best practices with world governments and international organizations to improve the lives of peoples and societies. Lootah added that the UAE adopts the approach of achieving sustainable development as a humanitarian mission to improve its society and the societies of the world and enhance human life, and invests great efforts in this in cooperation with various countries of the world, international organizations, and institutions concerned with supporting development, and works to launch qualitative initiatives and programs and provide funding contributions and humanitarian assistance in order to reach the sustainable development goals by the end of the current decade, based on the values of cooperation, partnership, exchange of knowledge, sharing best practices and distinguished experiences, providing support and working on Laying the foundations for impactful institutional action, It achieves sustainable and inclusive development, improves education and health care, promotes equal opportunities, conserves natural resources and protects the environment for future generations." Abdullah Lootah said: "The participation of the UAE government delegation in the United Nations High-Level Political Forum on Sustainability this year aims to strengthen the UAE’s international partnerships in the field of sustainable development, which is in line with the seventeenth goal of the Sustainable Development Goals, which is to strengthen and activate global partnerships between governments, countries and communities to achieve sustainable development. Continuous regulatory frameworks, policies and legislation, as well as partnerships and the use of technology, especially the use of artificial intelligence, and the activation of data in the service of achieving inclusive global sustainable development that creates opportunities and protects the planet’s resources." United Nations High-level Political Forum The High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development is the main platform of the United Nations. On sustainable development issues. Since its inception in 2012, it has played a pivotal role in following up and reviewing what has been implemented at the country level in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This edition of the International Forum is held under the theme "Promoting the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Eradicating Poverty in Times of Multiple Crises: Effectively Implementing Sustainable, Resilient and Innovative Solutions". Throughout the 8-17 July 2024 edition, delegates participating in this year’s edition of the Forum will work on in-depth revisions of five of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Goal 1 to eradicate poverty in all its forms everywhere, Goal 2 to end hunger, achieve food security, improve nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture, Goal 13 to support climate action and call for urgent action to combat climate change and its repercussions, and Goal 16 to promote peaceful and inclusive societies to achieve development. Goal 17, which focuses on global partnerships to promote the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. Proactive meeting of the National Committee for Sustainable Development Goals The National Committee for Sustainable Development Goals preceded the participation of the UAE government delegation in the work of the United Nations High-Level Political Forum, with a preparatory meeting for the members of the Committee, before the delegation’s departure to New York, during which it discussed the agenda and agenda of the UAE’s participation in the forum, reviewed the UAE’s performance in the reports of indicators of sustainable development goals, and the data that has been provided and improved, as well as a number of files related to the work of the Committee. The meeting reviewed the report of the Sustainable Development Goals Index issued by the Sustainable Development Solutions Network for the year 2024, pointing to the performance of the UAE, which ranked 70th globally, 3rd regionally and Arably, and first in the Gulf, reflecting the country’s commitment to achieving the goals and strengthening its position globally. The meeting discussed plans, workshops and initiatives that are being implemented to enhance the quality of data and achieve progress in goals, and challenges in data collection, including the need to review data with international organizations, remove some indicators that do not apply to the UAE, and formulate indicators in line with the laws of the country. Coordination and cooperation between government and private entities to ensure the collection of consistent and analyzable data in a uniform manner. The meeting was attended by Abdul Allah Lootah, Assistant Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Competitiveness and Knowledge Exchange and Chairman of the National Committee for Sustainable Development Goals, Rashid Mohamed Al Hemeiri, Director of the Development and International Cooperation Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Hussein Abdul Rahman Al Rand, Assistant Undersecretary for the Public Health Sector at the Ministry of Health and Prevention, Hassan Obaid Al Muhairi, Assistant Undersecretary for the Policies and Economic Studies Sector at the Ministry of Education, Nasser Ismail, Assistant Undersecretary for Social Welfare Affairs at the Ministry of Community Development, Maria Hanif Al Qassim. Assistant Undersecretary for Economic Policies and Studies Sector at the Ministry of Economy, Eng. Alia Abdul Rahim Al Harmoodi, Assistant Undersecretary for Sustainable Communities Sector at the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, Eng. Nawal Yusuf Al Hinai, Director of the Future Energy Department at the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, Hanan Ahli, Director of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Center at the Ministry of Cabinet Affairs, and Mohammed Ahli, Executive Director of the Statistics and Data Science Sector At the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Center.
The Government Experience Exchange Programme (GEEP), under the UAE Ministry of Cabinet Affairs, launched a Global Ideation Lab in collaboration with New York University (NYU). The Ideation Lab was held alongside the UAE delegation’s participation at the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development 2025, organized by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs at the UN Headquarters in New York City. It brought together leading experts, academics, UN officials, diplomats, policymakers, and university students to explore new prospects in government sector innovation and global cooperation.
The session drew participation from 26 ministers, experts, academics, and UN officials, including Annemarie Hou, Executive Director of the UN Office of Partnerships, and Patrick Paul Walsh, Vice President of Education and Director of the SDG Academy at the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN). Attendees also included sustainability officials and diplomats from countries such as Switzerland, Portugal, Ireland, Serbia, Paraguay, Bahrain, Uzbekistan, Qatar, Kingdom of Eswatini, and others. Members of the UAE delegation to the HLPF, officials from NYU’s administrative and academic bodies, and 30 students from NYU, Stanford, and the University of Pennsylvania also participated.
Global Ideas Sandbox
The Ideation Lab helps build a global ideas sandbox and provides a creative open space. It highlighted the developmental role of comprehensive initiatives supporting global partnerships, particularly the UAE’s GEEP, which serves as an incubator for scalable cross-border partnerships and an effective knowledge sharing platform.
UAE Commitment to Expanding Partnerships
His Excellency Abdulla Nasser Lootah, Assistant Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Competitiveness and Experience Exchange and Chair of the National Committee on Sustainable Development Goals, stated that the UAE’s knowledge-sharing approach is comprehensive, leveraging contributions across sectors locally and globally. This approach provides an environment for creating innovative ideas and impactful development solutions.
“In the UAE, we have successfully built a pioneering model for international cooperation based on knowledge exchange with countries and governments, and GEEP is a crucial part of this endeavor,” Lootah said. “We are committed to involving various sectors, particularly academia, and cooperating with everyone in developing solutions to urgent global challenges, including developmental challenges, and expanding frameworks for sharing, transferring, and exchanging best government practices to help achieve sustainable development.”
He added: “The joint Global Ideation Lab between GEEP and NYU exemplifies the collaborative approach we adopt in the UAE to develop best practices that enhance readiness for present and future opportunities.”
Challenge and Solution Model
The Global Ideation Lab adopted a collaborative approach between GEEP and NYU, centered on posing challenges, linking academic insights with practical governance, and involving various stakeholders in designing partnership-based and scalable solutions.
The session outcomes contributed to aligning knowledge inputs with policy, empowering stakeholders to participate in developing innovative solutions to urgent governance challenges and accelerating progress towards the 2030 SDGs.
UN High-Level Political Forum
The HLPF on Sustainable Development is the UN’s central platform for reviewing and advancing SDGs. Established in 2012, the forum plays a pivotal role in monitoring national and international progress on the 2030 Agenda.
Participating delegations assess progress toward the SDGs, with this year’s forum featuring in-depth reviews of five priority goals: SDG3 (ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages); SDG5 (achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls); SDG8 (promoting sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all); SDG14 (conserving and sustainably using the oceans, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development); and SDG17 (strengthening and revitalizing the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development).
The Government Experience Exchange Programme (GEEP), under the UAE Ministry of Cabinet Affairs, convened its first international retreat as part of the 2025 UN High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development, organised by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) at its headquarters in New York City.
The first-of-its kind gathering reinforced the UAE’s commitment to international partnerships, bringing together global stakeholders to expand strategic collaboration and share government best practices that drive progress on the 2030 Agenda.
Held at the Permanent Mission of the United Arab Emirates to United Nations, the session showcased the UAE's advanced model in government knowledge sharing and its effectiveness in promoting institutional excellence globally.
It brought together senior representatives from governments, international organisations, and research institutions to explore multilateral and shared experiences that support the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Participants exchanged ideas on expanding partnerships across sectors to achieve measurable development outcomes, aligned with this year’s HLPF theme: “Advancing sustainable, inclusive, science- and evidence-based solutions for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals for including everyone.”
The session reflected the UAE’s ongoing commitment to fostering government modernisation and using knowledge exchange to build more effective, sustainable, and resilient institutions.
Abdulla Lootah: UAE Strengthens Global Partnerships for a Sustainable Future
His Excellency Abdulla Nasser Lootah, Assistant Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Competitiveness and Experience Exchange and Chair of the National Committee on Sustainable Development Goals, emphasised the UAE’s expanding international partnerships to accelerate SDG implementation worldwide. He noted that GEEP represents one of the nation’s key platforms for sharing best practices, driven by proactivity, innovation, and future-readiness.
H.E. Lootah highlighted that GEEP includes more than 100 work streams across key areas, including government excellence, services, accelerators, public policies, and competitiveness. He affirmed that hosting this inaugural international session reinforces the UAE's role in enabling international collaboration and directing knowledge exchange toward real impact on the 2030 UN Agenda, building a more sustainable future for all.
Global Partnerships for Sustainable Development
The session facilitated a robust dialogue between government representatives, international organisations, the private sector, and civil society, reinforcing collaboration to accelerate the implementation of the 2030 SDGs and deliver tangible contributions to the outcomes of the 2025 HLPF.
Three roundtable discussions were conducted centred on: Global Partnerships (SDG17), Safety and Security (SDG16), and Sustainable Environment (SDG14). Topics included the role of knowledge exchange in accelerating sustainable development, the importance of international cooperation for crisis resilience, and approaches to environmental protection and green transition.
The UAE delegation included leading experts, including Lt. Col. Dr. Ahmed Al Zarouni, Director of International Police Representation Department from the Ministry of Interior, and Her Excellency Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary General from the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi.
UN High-Level Political Forum
The HLPF on Sustainable Development is the UN’s central platform for reviewing and advancing SDGs. Established in 2012, the forum plays a pivotal role in monitoring national and international progress on the 2030 Agenda.
Participating delegations at HLPF conduct assessments of progress toward the SDGs, with this year's forum featuring in-depth reviews of five priority goals: SDG3 (ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages); SDG5 (achieving equality and empowering all women and girls); SDG8 (promoting sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all); SDG14 (conserving and sustainably using the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development); and SDG17 (strengthening and revitalizing the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development).
HE Abdullah Nasser Lootah:
- The UAE views youth not just as beneficiaries of development, but as essential partners in shaping and leading efforts towards a sustainable future.
- The nation is committed to building a more inclusive and sustainable world by 2045, guided by proactive, forward-thinking strategies.
Voices for 2045: Youth Shaping the Future session aimed to:
- Engage young participants of the 2025 High-Level Political Forum in envisioning the world beyond 2030;
- Gather youth aspirations and ideas for the 2045 XDGs Vision, a new global approach to comprehensive and sustainable development;
- Encourage youth change-makers to reflect, connect, and draw inspiration from innovative ideas for a more sustainable and inclusive future.
August 04, 2025 — As part of the UAE delegation’s participation in the United Nations Sustainable Development Forum 2025, organized by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, the General Secretariat of the National Committee for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) hosted a dedicated youth session titled Voices for 2045: Youth Shaping the Future. Held at the Permanent Mission of the United Arab Emirates to the United Nations, the session brought together youth leaders and global change-makers, including members of the UN General Assembly’s Major Group for Children and Youth.
The session engaged young participants in envisioning the world beyond 2030 and empowered them to shape the future of sustainable development. It fostered dialogue on youth aspirations and ideas for the Extended Sustainable Development Goals (XDGs 2045), a global vision for inclusive growth introduced by the Secretariate of the National Committee on SDGs at the 2023 World Governments Summit. The platform enabled youth change-makers to share experiences, connect with peers, and exchange ideas for a more inclusive and resilient future.
Youth Empowerment
His Excellency Abdullah Nasser Lootah, Assistant Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Competitiveness and Experience Exchange and Chair of the National Committee for Sustainable Development Goals, stated: “The UAE firmly believes that youth are not merely beneficiaries of development pathways but essential partners in shaping and leading them towards the future
He emphasized that the session reflects this philosophy by giving youth a transparent and effective platform to express their visions and challenges. HE Lootah added, “Shaping the vision of the post-2030 sustainable development agenda requires open dialogue, collective participation, and bold ideas that keep pace with global changes. It is not enough to listen to youth as inspirational voices; their visions must be treated as essential inputs in policy-making and prioritization.”
Three Main Themes
40 participants from the UN Major Group for Children and Youth contributed diverse perspectives on the ambitious XDGs 2045 vision. Discussions focused on three core themes – empathy, passion, and action – underscoring the role of youth in building a better future.
Participants responded to three key questions via an online survey, offering insights on their motivations, desired transformative changes, challenges faced, and proposed solutions to enhance youth contributions to sustainable development. Their responses underscored key priorities including empowering youth and ensuring their active involvement in policy and strategy development; strengthening international cooperation and promoting innovation; guaranteeing universal access to quality education and healthcare; and safeguarding the environment and natural resources for future generations.
The session Voices for 2045: Youth Shaping the Future reflects the UAE’s commitment to supporting global efforts to achieve the SDGs and to enhancing the role of youth as key partners in the development of a more inclusive and sustainable world by 2045.
The United Nations High-Level Political Forum
The United Nations High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) is the UN’s main platform for sustainable development matters. Since its establishment in 2012, it has played a central role in tracking and reviewing countries’ progress toward implementing the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.
Delegations participating in the Forum conduct assessments of achievements made so far toward the SDGs, with in-depth reviews of five key goals: SDG 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages; SDG 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls; SDG 8: Promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all; SDG 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources; and SDG 17: Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development.
The UAE’s trade in telecommunications services saw continuous growth in 2024, achieving a 4.3% increase to reach AED 10.2 billion, compared to AED 9.8 billion in 2023. This is according to data from the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre (FCSC). This positive performance is attributed to the strong growth recorded in the fourth quarter of 2024, which reached 12.95%.
International competitiveness reports highlight the UAE’s leading position in telecommunications services trade, which is a key driver for the growth of the digital economy and a vital component in enabling e-commerce and enhancing technological integration among nations. The UAE ranked first globally in 17 competitive indicators related to the transition towards a digital economy, innovation, and digital infrastructure during 2024 and 2025.
The latest data from the FCSC shows a 6.49% increase in telecommunications services exports in 2024, reaching AED 4.9 billion, compared to AED 4.6 billion in 2023. Total imports of telecommunications services also rose by 2.38% in 2024, reaching AED 5.3 billion, compared to AED 5.2 billion in 2023.
Quarterly Performance
At the quarterly level, the fourth quarter of 2024 made a significant contribution to the total trade in telecommunications services, accounting for 26.45%, the highest contribution among all quarters. The fourth quarter also achieved strong growth of 12.95%, reaching AED 2.70 billion, compared to AED 2.39 billion for the same quarter in 2023, representing the largest growth among the quarters during the year.
The third quarter’s contribution to the total services trade during the year was about 25.34%, with a value of AED 2.59 billion, compared to AED 2.46 billion in the same quarter of 2023. The second quarter’s contribution was about 25.05%, with a value of AED 2.56 billion, compared to AED 2.49 billion in the same quarter of 2023. The first quarter’s contribution was about 23.17%, with a value of AED 2.37 billion, compared to AED 2.46 billion in the same quarter of 2023.
Global Competitive Leadership
The thriving trade in telecommunications services has bolstered the UAE’s position in global competitiveness indicators in digital economy and digital infrastructure fields. The UAE ranked first globally in 17 competitive indicators and among the top five globally in 21 indicators.
According to the results of global competitiveness indices and reports, the UAE ranked first in the Digital Transformation in Businesses index and the Internet Users per Thousand People index, and the Digital and Technological Skills index in the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook 2025 published by the IMD World Competitiveness Center in Switzerland. In the same report, the UAE also ranked third globally in the Development and Application of Tech Index and the Use of Digital Tools and Technology index, as well as fifth globally in the Financing Technological Development index.
The UAE also ranked first globally in the Number of Internet Users as a Percentage of the Population index and the Mobile Telephone Users (Subscriptions/100 inhabitants) index in the Social Progress Index 2025. Furthermore, the UAE ranked first globally in the Mobile broadband subscriptions (per 100 population) index and the Population using the internet (per 100 population) index in the Sustainable Development Goals Index 2025.
In the IMD World Digital Competitiveness Ranking 2024, the UAE ranked first globally in the Internet Users index and the Wireless Broadband index. It also ranked second globally in the Tablet Possession index. In the United Nations E-Government Survey 2024, the UAE ranked first globally in Percentage of active mobile broadband Subscription, Percentage of Fixed- broadband Internet basket price, Percentage of individuals using internet, and Percentage of Mobile Cellular Subscriptions. The UAE also ranked first globally in the Individuals using the internet as a Percentage of Total Population in the Future of Growth Report published by the World Economic Forum.
In the Travel & Tourism Development Index 2024, published by the World Economic Forum, the UAE ranked first globally in the 3G mobile network coverage rate (% of population) index, the Active mobile broadband internet subscriptions (per 100 people) index, and Individuals using internet (% of population).
Telecommunications Services
Telecommunications services include the broadcasting or transmission of voice, images, data, and other information via telephone, telex, telegrams, wired and satellite broadcasting and television networks, email, and fax. It also includes business network services, remote meetings via computer networks, and support services, but excludes the value of the information transmitted. This category also covers mobile phone communication services, network maintenance services, and network access services, including internet connection services. The installation of telephone network equipment is excluded from this category.
The United Arab Emirates has achieved a historic milestone, with non-oil activities contributing 77.3% to the real GDP in Q1 2025. According to preliminary estimates released by the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre (FCSC), the UAE’s real GDP grew by 3.9%, year-on-year to reach AED 455 billion, while non-oil GDP surged by 5.3% to AED 352 billion, marking the highest level ever recorded in the history of the UAE. On the other hand, oil-related activities contributed 22.7% during the same period.
H.E. Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism, stated that the initial figures released by FCSC reflect the robustness, resilience, and exceptional growth trajectory of the UAE’s economy, its ability to sustain extraordinary growth, and the success of the country’s holistic development model. H.E. emphasized that these results reflect investors’ confidence and the global recognition of the UAE’s business and investment ecosystem, which has become a global benchmark for advanced economic policies and pro-growth legislative frameworks.
“Guided by the vision of our wise leadership, the contribution of non-oil activities to real GDP has reached an all-time high of 77.3%; a key milestone in the history of the UAE. This reflects the momentum gained by the UAE’s economic diversification and demonstrates the effectiveness of national strategies to build a knowledge- and innovation-driven economy, fully aligned with the objectives of the “We the UAE 2031” vision, which aims to raise the UAE’s GDP to AED 3 trillion by the next decade,” H.E. added.
Meanwhile, H.E. Hanan Mansour Ahli, Managing Director of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre, emphasised that these results showcase the efficiency of the UAE’s economic model and the government’s success in implementing the leadership directives to drive sustainable sectoral development. “Our relentless efforts towards economic diversification continue to drive the expansion and resilience of the national economy,” H.E. noted. “Non-oil GDP growth exceeding 5% showcases our commitment to building an advanced, technology- and innovation-enabled economy that empowers businesses and entrepreneurs to transform their ideas into thriving ventures, adding momentum to the UAE’s dynamic economic landscape,” she added.
Leading other sectors in growth during Q1 2025, the manufacturing sector has expanded by 7.7% compared to the same period in 2024. It is followed by finance, insurance, and construction at 7.0% growth each, while real estate activities rose by 6.6% and trade by 3.0%.
In terms of contribution to the UAE’s GDP, the trade sector topped the list with 15.6% of non-oil GDP, followed by finance & insurance at 14.6%, manufacturing at 13.4%, construction at 12.0%, and real estate at 7.4%.
50 Years of Unified UAE Numbers
The UAE … A Leading Competitive Model in Excellence, Innovation, and Future-Making
H. H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Visits UAE Statistics Mural
The UAE National Data and Statistics Platform
Non-Oil GDP Grows by 6.1% in the First Nine Months of 2025
Emirati Women’s Day… From Numbers to Achievements, Driven by Your Vision
Close X
Date will get updated
test
