UAE ranked the first Arab Country, 30th globally in the Human Development Index

The UAE has been ranked the thirtieth among 187 countries, according to the index of human development world report 2011 released by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Under the auspices of H. H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime minister, Minister of Presidential Affairs, UNDP, in collaboration with Emirates Council for Competitiveness, has organised a ceremony at UAE Centre for Strategic Research and Studies, in Abu Dhabi, to launch the human development report 2011.

The ceremony was attended by Mohamed Al Shehhi, Undersecretary of Minister of Economy, Alisar Sarrouh, UNDP Coordinator, Mohammed Omar Abdulla, Undersecretary of the Economic Development Department, Abdullah Lootah, Secretary General of UAE Council for competitiveness as well as a number of high Government officials. Norway, Australia, Netherlands, USA, New Zealand, Canada, Ireland, Liechtenstein, Germany and Sweden came in the first ten places in the index of human development world report 2011. UAE came in the thirtieth place among 187 countries.

In her keynote speech, Sarrouh welcomed all participants. She said that UNDP Human Development Report 2011 is a continuation for the past years reports. However, the current one has focused on sustainable development and human equality; the two points that reflect the interest of the governments all over the world for achieving the highest rates of sustainable development according to equitable rights and responsibilities.

In his speech, Sultan bin Saeed Al-Mansoori, Minister of Economy, said that this exceptional ceremony confirmed the international place of the UAE place HD, assuring the continues progress in the state and achievements in HD conference report. He cited that it has been ranked in 33rd after it was in 32 in 2010. The UAE wise leadership adopted an ambitious vision established by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, God bless his soul, who said, "human is the base of any civilisation." The minister confirmed the resolve of the wise leadership to use the oil resources revenues to activate the HD and total development and focus on developing the state's infrastructure of schools, hospitals , ports and airports. He referred to the state's care for education, considering it as gate to innovation and preparation of generations to achieve the development goals.

- Emirates News Agency, WAM