Emirates ranks first in the Arab world in the UN Global Knowledge Index 2021
The United Arab Emirates ranked first in the Arab world in the United Nations Global Knowledge Index (GKI) 2021, launched at the #UNHub at Expo 2020 Dubai by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum Knowledge Foundation (MBRF).
The GKI is the only index that measures knowledge on a global scale and has been produced annually since 2017 by UNDP in partnership with MBRF. Now in its edition, the index includes 155 variables carefully selected from more than 40 international sources and databases.
His Excellency Jamal bin Huwaireb, CEO of MBRF, said: "The world is not completely out of the clutches of COVID-19, but certainly what stands out in negotiating these challenging times is the relentless pursuit of knowledge that led us to develop vaccines, as well as corrective and precautionary measures against the virus. Clearly, it is this continued focus on knowledge and its triumph that has led us to regain a careful normality in our daily lives, and which has enabled this face-to-face meeting today.
The United Arab Emirates ranked 11th in the world, while Switzerland remained in first place globally for the fifth consecutive year, followed by Sweden, the United States, Finland and the Netherlands. Qatar (38th), Saudi Arabia (40th), Kuwait (48th), Oman (52nd), Egypt (53rd) and Bahrain (55th) also featured in the top 60.
Khaled Abdel-Shafi, regional manager of the UNDP Regional Bureau for Arab States Centre, said: "It is encouraging to see that in certain indices of key branches that drive knowledge, innovation and education, Arab countries have performed well and are firmly on the path of progress. Significantly, it shows the positive impact of the realisation that the new world is largely shaped and led by countries that have a knowledge advantage."
The GKI saw increased participation among countries in the region, as well as worldwide, said Jamal bin Huwaireb, highlighting the growing global commitment to placing knowledge as a cornerstone of economic and social growth.
A total of 154 countries participated in GKI 2021, up from 138 last year. For the first time, Iraq and Palestine joined the portfolio of participating countries from the region, bringing the total to 16.
Dena Assaf, United Nations Resident Coordinator for the United Arab Emirates and UN Deputy Commissioner-General at Expo 2020, said: "As the world stands at this challenging crossroads, the increased global participation in GKI is a strong indicator of how knowledge is the single most unique factor that will help the nations of the world to prosper and lead for the benefit of posterity with a sustainable approach. In this context, the GKI series has become a prudent and accepted benchmark in the assessment of knowledge-based societies and their growth".
The launch ceremony was followed by a panel discussion entitled 'Rethinking Policy Making in the Knowledge Era', with the participation of H.E. Hussain al-Hammadi, Minister of Education, UAE; H.E. Dr. Tarek Shawki, Minister of Education, Egypt; H.E. Ahmed Hanandeh, Minister of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship, Jordan; and H.E. Dr. Fadia Kiwan, Director General, Arab Women's Organisation.
Text, photos and video: Expo Dubai 2020.
