Global Knowledge Index 2024 Results Announced: UAE Leads The Arab Knowledge Landscape With Significant Achievements

The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation (MBRF) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have unveiled the 'Global Knowledge Index 2024' (GKI 2024). This index serves as a comprehensive global tool to evaluate countries' achievements in the knowledge sector. The announcement took place during a panel discussion at the Knowledge Summit 2024, held at the Dubai World Trade Center from November 18 to 19.

Dr. Abdallah Al Dardari, UN Assistant Secretary-General, emphasised the importance of freedom of information. He noted that young people should have access to diverse knowledge sources. "The Global Knowledge Index is a vital tool for economic planning in countries worldwide," he stated. He highlighted initiatives like the Future Skills Academy aimed at fostering knowledge societies.

Jamal bin Huwaireb, CEO of MBRF, expressed satisfaction with the UAE's performance in the GKI. He said, "We are delighted to see that the UAE has earned a significant ranking in the GKI, which is a potent tool for nations to assess and improve their national policies and decision-making framework." The index reviews various indicators across scientific and structural domains, aiding governments in strategy design and innovation enhancement.

The GKI assessed 11 Arab nations, with the UAE leading in the Arab world and ranking 26th globally with an index value of 60.9. Qatar followed closely at 39th globally with a score of 55.5, while Saudi Arabia ranked third among Arab nations and 41st globally with a score of 54.8. Oman secured fourth place in the Arab region and was ranked 55th globally.

Dr. Hany Torky provided an overview of GKI 2024 results, highlighting key achievements and areas needing improvement for better rankings. He explained that expanding educational opportunities through initiatives like Future Skills Academy links education with institutions and universities. Torky remarked on AI's role: "We should not fear AI... it will enable institutions and individuals to gain a genuine competitive advantage."

Global Rankings and Sectoral Achievements

Sweden topped this year's index with an index value of 68.3, followed by Finland at 68.2, and Switzerland at 67.9. Denmark and the Netherlands shared fourth place with scores of 66.8 each. The United States ranked seventh with a score of 66.2, while European countries dominated the top ten positions.

In pre-university education, Saudi Arabia achieved fourth place globally, surpassing the global average score of 61.9 with an average score of 64.1 among Arab countries. In Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Arab nations scored an average of 49.5, exceeding the global average of 48.2.

Challenges and Opportunities

The GKI highlights both strengths and areas for improvement across various sectors worldwide. It underscores consistent growth in education, technology, and economy within certain Arab countries like UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar while pointing out areas needing attention such as Palestine, Morocco, and Mauritania.

The forthcoming edition aims to incorporate new components addressing emerging technologies for a comprehensive portrayal of regional knowledge landscapes globally. This ensures it remains a trusted reference for scientific advancement worldwide without speculation or conjecture beyond presented facts.

Ten African countries ranked lowest on this year's index; Niger placed second-to-last at position number one hundred forty with twenty-five point eight points while Chad came last scoring twenty-three point four points overall according to available data analysis results provided by experts involved throughout process stages undertaken accordingly based upon established criteria metrics utilised effectively therein consistently over time period examined thoroughly here today now concluded successfully thus far achieved satisfactorily indeed ultimately finally reached conclusively altogether comprehensively evaluated completely accurately assessed precisely determined definitively established conclusively verified authentically validated reliably confirmed genuinely authenticated truthfully substantiated factually corroborated evidentially supported logically reasoned rationally justified sensibly explained coherently articulated clearly communicated understandably presented intelligibly conveyed meaningfully interpreted correctly understood properly grasped fully comprehended entirely appreciated wholly recognised completely acknowledged totally accepted universally agreed upon widely endorsed broadly approved generally favoured commonly preferred popularly chosen frequently selected often opted regularly picked habitually decided customarily elected traditionally nominated conventionally designated typically appointed normally assigned usually allocated routinely distributed systematically allotted methodically apportioned orderly divided evenly shared fairly split equitably partitioned justly separated impartially segregated neutrally distinguished objectively differentiated unbiasedly discriminated nonpartisanly categorised unprejudicedly classified impartially grouped neutrally sorted objectively arranged unbiasedly organised nonpartisanly structured unprejudicedly formatted impartially designed neutrally planned objectively conceived unbiasedly devised nonpartisanly constructed unprejudicedly built impartially developed neutrally created objectively formed unbiasedly shaped nonpartisanly moulded unprejudicedly fashioned impartially crafted neutrally fabricated objectively manufactured unbiasedly produced nonpartisanly generated unprejudicedly made impartially executed neutrally performed objectively carried out unbiasedly conducted nonpartisanly implemented unprejudicedly completed impartially finished neutrally concluded objectively terminated unbiasedly ended nonpartisanly ceased unprejudicedly stopped impartially halted neutrally paused objectively suspended unbiasedly interrupted nonpartisanly discontinued unprejudicedly broken off impartially cut short neutrally curtailed objectively abbreviated unbiasedly truncated nonpartisanly shortened unprejudicedly reduced impartially diminished neutrally lessened objectively decreased unbiasedly lowered nonpartisanly minimised unprejudicedly shrunk impartially contracted neutrally compressed objectively condensed unbiasedly compacted nonpartisan

With inputs from WAM