Knowledge Summit 2019: Realising Sustainable Development Goals will Boost UAE’s Global Competitiveness

Working towards the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will enable the UAE to become more competitive on a global scale, asserted H.E. Hanan Ahli, Executive Director of Competitiveness, Research and Studies Department, Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority (FCSA), in a ‘Know Talk’ session on day one of the Knowledge Summit 2019.

The SDGs help pave the way for achieving the UAE Vision 2021 and UAE Centennial 2071, H.E. Ahli added, as she discussed how the UAE has embraced the SDGs at the core of its vision for the future. In her speech, H.E. Hanan Ahli emphasised how working towards the SDGs on a country-wide scale, as promoted by the National Committee on Sustainable Development Goals, will promote national development and growth. It will also contribute towards increasing global competitiveness, which will enhance the UAE’s position on the world stage, she said.

Government initiatives to incorporate the SDGs into national plans have involved representatives from both the public and private sector, ensuring that everyone has a say in the future of the country. 

“We have taken realistic steps to enhance relationships between public and private sectors, so that we can work together towards supporting humanity and the Sustainable Development Goals on a national and global scale,” said H.E. Hanan Ahli. “The Government of the UAE is pushing hard towards implementing the SDGs, turning visions into actions. Just as the SDGs are all linked, we as a society must work together towards achieving them. We are all building the future that our Founding Father the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan planned for us.”

H.E. Ahli concluded by encouraging the people of the UAE to pursue their passions and contribute towards the UAE realising its ambitions for sustainable development.

Organised by the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation (MBRF) under directives from MBRF Chairman His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the 2019 Knowledge Summit – held at the Dubai World Trade Centre from November 19-20 – bears the theme ‘Knowledge for Sustainable Development’, and is set to showcase relevant experiences and best practices that have helped countries on their development journey in various sectors.