The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has achieved tremendous strides in sustainable development and economic growth, developing clean energy and efficiently managing its resources. Now, the country scored a top position in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) for having high-quality infrastructure that supports national Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), according to a survey from the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).

Ahead of Portugal, Singapore, Finland, Denmark, and Belgium, the country came in at 11 on the worldwide index. UNIDO uses a list of 36 metrics to measure the quality of infrastructure for sustainable development in 137 different nations.

Government data revealed that 156 development indicators—up from 121 before the Covid-19 pandemic—have given the UAE a top global position. Emirates’ top-five rankings increased from 189 to 288 for that same period.

The index is based on five primary factors: standards, policy, conformity assessment, metrology, and accreditation. It sketches out metrics for each and then connects them to the earth, people, and prosperity, three of the SDGs’ five pillars.

“The UAE has an advanced framework that supports quality infrastructure, which excels in the five main indicators of the index. UNIDO’s report reflects the UAE’s capabilities and efforts to create a supportive, efficient, innovative, and safe legislative environment,” said Omar Al Suwaidi, Undersecretary at the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology.

UN’s SDGs are designed to eradicate poverty, safeguard the environment, and promote equality, peace, and prosperity. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development includes the 17 SDGs, which also comprise the objectives of economic growth, decent employment, and high-quality education.

The ranking is “an international acknowledgment of the efforts made by MoIAT and its key partners to achieve sustainable development and strengthen the UAE’s position in global competitiveness surveys,” according to Hanan Ahli, head of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Center.

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