In a significant milestone for the UAE, the United Nations (UN) has bestowed upon the UAE government a distinguished accolade in acknowledgment of its pivotal role in modernizing governance. This commendation was conferred during the United Nations Public Service Awards ceremony, recognized as the preeminent global accolade in the realm of public service.
The honor was bestowed in recognition of the UAE’s strides in government modernization, its endeavors in crafting innovative models for future administrations, and its global initiatives in sharing knowledge regarding government modernization with nations both regionally and worldwide. Among the distinguished attendees at the ceremony were Mohammad bin Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs, and Catherine Pollard, Under-Secretary-General for Management Strategy, Policy, and Compliance at the UN.
Al Gergawi seized the occasion to underscore that the UN award epitomizes the UAE government’s esteemed position, a testament to the visionary leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the foresight of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, and the guidance of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.
He emphasized, “The award epitomizes the UAE’s remarkable achievements in shaping an agile government model founded on proactive service design, efficiency promotion, and competitiveness enhancement.” Al Gergawi further articulated, “This recognition serves as a fresh international endorsement of the UAE’s development trajectory, steered by a forward-thinking, pioneering, and innovative government, showcasing the leadership’s vision aimed at fostering proactive future services. It underscores global recognition of its role in modernizing governmental operations through continuous development, fortifying future preparedness, and embracing digital transformation.”
Expressing gratitude, Al Gergawi extended his appreciation to the United Nations for honoring the UAE government and celebrating its narrative of success, highlighting the pivotal role of the organization in the advancement of nations, governments, and societies worldwide. He emphasized the UAE government’s keenness to foster fruitful collaboration with the UN, underlining its steadfast belief in the importance of international cooperation to ensure a brighter future for humanity.
Catherine Pollard: Acknowledgment of Exceptional Government Model
Commending the UAE government’s initiatives, Catherine Pollard lauded the advanced frameworks it has pioneered in public service. She observed that the special accolade conferred by the UN reflects appreciation for the efforts and initiatives of the UAE government, its distinctive governmental model, and its effective partnerships with nations and international organizations in knowledge exchange and experience sharing.
“As we convene at the inaugural UNPSA ceremony since the onset of the pandemic, we take the opportunity to extend gratitude to public servants worldwide for their unwavering dedication, and celebrate inspiring initiatives in public service resulting from their ingenuity and commitment to enhancing public service delivery for sustainable development,” she added.
Top Rankings on Global Competitiveness Indices
In recent years, the UAE government has initiated strategic collaborations in government modernization through the government knowledge exchange program, engaging with 9 countries globally. These partnerships have yielded 241 successful initiatives spanning over 55 sectors, benefiting 290,000 employees and trainees through 3 million training hours and 565 workshops.
The UAE has clinched the top regional spot and ranked 21st globally in the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs’ E-Government Survey 2020. Additionally, according to the World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Report, it secured the third position globally in the Government’s Responsiveness to Change indicator and the fourth position in the Government Long-term Vision indicator.
Moreover, the UAE ranked third globally as the most trusted government as per the 2021 Edelman Trust Barometer. The UAE Government Accelerators, pioneering acceleration and innovation to devise proactive solutions, have emerged as a hub for global knowledge partnerships. Furthermore, the World Government Summit, initiated by the UAE government, serves as the largest global platform convening government officials and experts to shape the future. Since its inception, the Summit has hosted over 1,000 sessions, welcoming more than 25,000 participants and 40 international organizations, signing over 80 agreements, and publishing over 100 reports.
