The UAE has made a significant leap on the world stage, securing fifth place in the 2025 IMD World Competitiveness Ranking, ahead of countries like the United States, Sweden, and Germany.
The announcement came during a UAE Cabinet meeting chaired by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai. The session, held at Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi, highlighted the country’s performance across multiple pillars including economic strength, infrastructure, and government efficiency.
“Fourteen years ago, we established a competitiveness centre, uniting the efforts of key national entities. These efforts have elevated the UAE’s ranking from 28th globally in 2009 to being among the top five globally in competitiveness,” Sheikh Mohammed said. “This achievement is a testament to years of consistent effort.”
The UAE took top global honors for absence of bureaucracy, ranked second in policy adaptability, and placed fourth for overall government efficiency.
In addition to this achievement, the Cabinet also approved Dh1.25 billion in housing support for 1,838 Emirati citizens in the first half of 2025. The funds, distributed under the Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme, are part of efforts to ensure stable living conditions for families.
The meeting also spotlighted the UAE’s growing role in global trade. Eight Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (CEPAs) are now active, out of 27 signed in total. These partnerships helped boost the UAE’s total trade volume to Dh5.23 trillion in 2024. Non-oil exports hit Dh440 billion, while foreign direct investments reached Dh113 billion.
To support maritime operations, the Cabinet approved the creation of a National Maritime Navigation Center. The facility, to be overseen by the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, will focus on vessel monitoring, navigational safety, and environmental protections.
Digital innovation also took center stage. The UAE’s digital identity system has now exceeded 11 million users, enabling more than 2.6 billion digital transactions across 130 government and private entities.
Further actions included restructuring the High Committee on Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Terrorism Financing, now under the leadership of Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
The Cabinet also endorsed a series of environmental and cultural initiatives, such as adding nine biodiversity hotspots, expanding protected land and marine areas, and launching a national plan to plant 100 million mangrove trees by 2030. A new federal law to safeguard the UAE’s cultural heritage was also approved.
On the industrial front, the “Make it in the Emirates” initiative drew over 122,000 visitors, facilitated AED 168 billion in procurement opportunities, and led to Dh11 billion worth of industrial agreements. Traditional crafts were also given renewed attention through a newly introduced recognition category.
The Cabinet concluded by approving 13 new international agreements and reviewing 36 others under negotiation. New diplomatic missions will soon open in Togo, Gabon, Cameroon, and Tajikistan, as well as a consulate in Miami, USA.