The United Nations E-Government Survey 2024, which 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, has revealed that the United Arab Emirates has achieved outstanding results in several indicators related to government and digital services, according to the Telecommunications & Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA).
The UAE leads the world in the Telecommunication Infrastructure Index (TII), scoring a perfect 100%, according to a report released by the UN-DESA (United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs). According to the report, the United Arab Emirates gained 34 points in the Human Capital Index (HCI) and jumped from 44th to 10th place, ranking first in both Asia and the Arab world. This outcome shows how much work has gone into developing national competencies in the UAE and gives people there the tools they need to succeed in the rapidly changing digital and technological landscape.
According to the report, the United Arab Emirates is ranked among the top nations in the E-Government Development Index (EGDI), which serves as the overall framework for several criteria. With a score of 95%, the United Arab Emirates moved up two spots from the previous evaluation in 2022 and kept its top spot on the list of world’s most developed nations.
The UAE achieved the highest full score in the e-government literacy (EGL) index and the world’s first full score in the institutional framework and content provisioning sub-indices of the Online Service Index (OSI) among other results of the report.
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.”
The Director-General of TDRA, Eng. Majed Sultan Al Mesmar, for his part, emphasized that the UAE’s desire to grow the ICT sector is a result of the astute leadership’s belief that this industry is the engine of growth and the foundation for 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 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.”
In addition to emphasizing the focus on improving governance and public services through the adoption of multiple initiatives, the UN report highlights TDRA’s efforts to strengthen capabilities in digital transformation. The “U-Ask” unified automated chat platform for government services is one such effort that uses generative artificial intelligence to guarantee seamless access to e-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.
To track the level of development in digital governments and assess the progress made in each of their different tracks, the UN-DESA introduced the “e-Government Survey” report in 2003. It is intended to be released every two years.
The primary goal of the survey is to assist decision-makers and those in charge of digital transformation in carrying out their plans based on trustworthy analytics and benchmarks, which include regional and local government portals, services, content, e-participation, data, etc. To ensure that these standards are compatible with the SDGs as they currently stand, the UN-DESA has been updating its standards in this area by new advancements and technologies.
