Page 244 - MBRF ENGLISH PR REPORT - November 2024

11/20/24, 9:09 AM Latest News
Project – UNDP, participated in the session moderated by Mayssoun Noueihed, Senior News Anchor, Al
Arabiya.

H.E. Dr. Abdallah Al Dardari UN Assistant Secretary-General, and UNDP Assistant Administrator and Director
of the Regional Bureau for Arab, highlighted the necessity for governments to recognize the importance of

freedom of information and the need to provide it while also offering young people the opportunity to access
knowledge from diverse sources. He pointed out that our future depends on young people’s capability to

express themselves creatively and become the cornerstone of a knowledge economy.
H.E. Dr. Al Dardari said: "The Global Knowledge Index is a vital tool for economic planning in countries

worldwide. Through the Future Skills initiative, the Future Skills Academy, and the Global Alliance for Skills,
we aim to create genuine hope for the countries in the region as they strive to establish knowledge societies
by bridging gaps in the realm of skills and education. Learning and acquiring knowledge must serve as a

constant motivation for young people, as it is an inexhaustible source and a pivotal tool for developing our
communities and improving living conditions.”

His Excellency Jamal bin Huwaireb, CEO of MBRF, 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 GKI meticulously reviews diverse indicators across scientific, research,

and structural domains, leveraging rigorous analysis methods and scientifically validated data. It empowers
government bodies by providing the right tools to identify opportunities, design robust strategies, enhance

innovation, and drive comprehensive development. This year’s GKI shows that many nations, particularly
those in the Arab region, have achieved several key knowledge milestones while underscoring the need for

advancing education, research, and innovation strategies in many other parts of the world.”
Dr. Hani Torky, Chief Technical Adviser and Project Manager, Knowledge Project – UNDP, presented a

comprehensive overview of the results of the Global Knowledge Index 2024. He discussed the key
achievements of certain countries and the knowledge areas that require further attention in order to enhance
their ranking on the index.

Dr. Torky explained that the Future Skills Academy is a developmental step for the Future Skills initiative. As
the educational and training opportunities expand, the initiative takes on new dimensions through which it is

linked with educational institutions and universities. He pointed out that we should not fear AI, as it will not
replace humans; rather, it will enable institutions and individuals to gain a genuine competitive advantage,

emphasizing the need to harness AI for the benefit of humanity.
This year’s index covers 141 countries, which is nearly three-quarters of the globe, with eight new additions.

The GKI offers a panoptic perspective of the global knowledge landscape and serves as a powerful
benchmarking tool in the domains of education, technology, research, and development. It also sheds light
on each nation’s strengths, enabling them to address both local and international challenges in these fields.

Sweden secured the leading position with an index value of 68.3, narrowly surpassing Finland, ranking
second with a score of 68.2, and Switzerland ranking third at 67.9. The fourth position was shared by

Denmark and the Netherlands, each scoring 66.8. Apart from the United States, which came in seventh with

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