A United Nations partnership with a leading Dubai foundation has helped advance several key areas of society in the Arab world, a UN official has said.
The partnership between the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation (MBRF) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has also created dialogue in knowledge, technology, and innovation.
Mourad Wahba, associate administrator of UNDP's Arab states bureau, made the comments in an article published on Thursday, two weeks after the UN's 75th anniversary.
He shared examples of joint projects between the two entities which has helped produce results.
“The Knowledge Project started 12 years ago with the objective of supporting the countries of the Arab states region to become knowledge societies, and it has since grown to be a global platform for analysis and dialogue around advances in knowledge, technology, and innovation," said Mr Wahba.
He also highlighted the Global Knowledge Index and Future of Knowledge Foresight Report, which ranks countries on where they stand in terms of a knowledge-based society.
Last year’s index ranked the UAE 18th out of 136 countries. The report measured countries in different sectors, including pre-university education, higher education, research development and innovation, economy, general enabling environment, among others.
“Since 2017, the index and the report have together been a key resource informing policymakers about opportunities and risks in multiple areas of knowledge creation and consumption, turning insights into actionable recommendations for moving towards knowledge societies,” said Mr Wahba.
“Indeed, both the index and report, had warned of technological weaknesses and unpreparedness of many countries and the world at large in the event of major emergencies.
“The outbreak of Covid-19 and the world’s uneven response to its spread have confirmed the significance, indeed the danger, of such gaps.”
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The Grand Souq in Deira. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
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Kite surfers at a beach in Jumeriah, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Burj Al Arab. Courtesy Dubai Tourism -
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Flamingos feed at Ras Al Khor wildlife sanctuary. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Dubai Frame was built to be a window between old and new Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National/ -
People paddle boarding in the Burj Khalifa fountain. Karim Sahib / AFP
