According to the Telecommunications & Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA), the United Arab Emirates has achieved outstanding results in a number of indicators related to government and digital services from the United Nations E-Government Survey 2024. The survey focuses on the role of governments in accelerating digital transformation and artificial intelligence for sustainable development, as well as providing services that improve the quality of life of community members.
According to a study published by UN-DESA (United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs), the United Arab Emirates tops the globe in the Telecommunication Infrastructure Index (TII), scoring a flawless 100%. The United Arab Emirates ranked first in both Asia and the Arab world, rising from 44th to 10th place in the Human Capital Index (HCI) after gaining 34 points, according to the report. This result demonstrates the amount of effort that has gone into creating national competencies in the UAE and equips its citizens with the skills they need to prosper in the quickly evolving digital and technological environment.
The report states that the E-Government Development Index (EGDI), which provides the general framework for several criteria, places the United Arab Emirates among the top countries. With a score of 95%, the United Arab Emirates maintained its top position among the world’s most developed countries and rose two places from the 2022 assessment.
Among other outcomes of the study, the United Arab Emirates obtained the highest full score in the e-government literacy (EGL) index and the first full score globally in the institutional framework and content provisioning sub-indices of the Online Service Index (OSI).
Talal Belhoul Al Falasi, Chairman of TDRA, praised the results achieved by the UAE in the UN E-Government Survey 2024, which reflects the efforts of various federal and local government entities, saying, “With these results, the UAE has established a new milestone in its journey towards a brighter future, led by President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, along with the government. Today, we reap the rewards of a track record of efforts and achievements by the minds of the people of this generous country, in order to solidify the foundations of a digital knowledge society and economy, leveraging cutting-edge technologies, particularly AI and other transformative technologies”.
He affirmed, “The UAE’s progress in digital government is an outstanding model in integrating human creativity with technology to facilitate people’s lives. The UAE government has been proactive in investing in the telecommunications sector as part of a forward-looking vision in line with the directives of the wise leadership. For over more than two decades, major investments have been made in telecommunications infrastructure. This, accompanied by the upskilling of government cadres has reflected on our country’s progress in this vital sector, which represents the basis of sustainability and creating the future.”
For his part, TDRA Director-General Eng. Majed Sultan Al Mesmar stressed that the UAE’s aim to expand its ICT sector stems from the wise leadership’s conviction that this sector is the engine of growth and the cornerstone of all other industries.
He said, “When it comes to global competitiveness and sustainable development strategies, the Telecommunication infrastructure Index stands out as one of the most important pillars as it reflects the level of progress of countries in employing future technologies to create the desired future. We are proud that the results of this index placed the UAE at the forefront of the global scene, and we are reaping the fruits of a long journey of pioneership, effective strategies, insightful vision and joint efforts. Today, the UAE has become an inspiring story in the systematic digital transformation, which supports the digital economy and smart cities based on the principles of inclusive government, customer centricity, business continuity and proactivity. If these results have put us on the top globally, we see this as an important incentive for us to continue to implement the strategic motto of Vision 2031, which is to move from one milestone to another.”
He added “Of course, I cannot fail to point out that this index is not the only one in which we have achieved full leadership, as we are today in the first place in Asia and the Arab region in the Human Capital Index, and we have achieved a full score in the e-government literacy sub-index, first in content provisioning and first in institutional framework in the OSI. I would like to point out that these achievements would not have been possible without the spirit of partnership that we shared with federal and local government entities, and especially with telecom service providers in the country (e& and du). I extend my thanks and appreciation to them all.”
On her part, Hanan Mansoor Ahli, Director of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre (FCSC), said, “The results of the UN E-Government Survey 2024, are considered as a reflection of the effectiveness of digital government enablers, and the efficient telecommunications infrastructure that supports Intergovernmental Integration projects and initiatives. It is also a reflection on the integration of data and statistics, which enhance the implementation of future technologies to ensure government readiness for a sustainable future.”
The UN report emphasizes the efforts of TDRA to strengthen capabilities in digital transformation, in addition to highlighting the focus on enhancing governance and public services through the adoption of multiple initiatives. One such initiative that makes use of generative artificial intelligence to ensure seamless access to e-government services is the “U-Ask” unified automated chat platform for government services. Additionally, efforts are being made in support of the Federal Network (FedNet) initiative, which uses artificial intelligence (AI) to improve digital efficiency, and the UAE PASS digital national identity initiative, which is the first of its kind for all citizens, residents, and visitors and grants users access to services offered by other service providers as well as local and federal government agencies. Additionally, the UAE uses international best practices and standards to guarantee uniformity and accessibility across all federal government websites.
The UN-DESA first introduced the “e-Government Survey” report in 2003 to monitor the state of development in digital governments and evaluate the advancements made in each of their various tracks. Every two years is when it is supposed to be released.
The principal objective of the survey is to support digital transformation leaders and decision-makers in implementing their plans based on reliable analytics and benchmarks, such as local and regional government portals, services, content, e-participation, data, etc. The UN-DESA has been updating its standards in this field in accordance with new developments and technologies to make sure that they are compatible with the SDGs as they stand at this time.
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