UAE Ranks Fifth Globally in 2024 Quality Infrastructure Index

The United Arab Emirates ranked fifth globally in the 2024 Quality Infrastructure for Sustainable Development Index (QI4SD), marking a six-spot rise from 2022. This recognition places the UAE among economic figureheads like Switzerland, Singapore and Finland in the ‘L’ category - nations with GDPs between USD 100 billion and USD 1 trillion.

The QI4SD Index, developed by the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), evaluates how national Quality Infrastructure systems support sustainable development goals (SDGs).

The rapid ascent reflects years of strategic advancements spearheaded by the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT), from refining standards and regulations to strengthening supply chains. Notable strides this year include the establishment of the National Committee for Quality Infrastructure, which oversees key initiatives to boost sustainability and innovation.

Additionally, the UAE has earned influential roles on international councils, including the Standards and Metrology Institute for the Islamic Countries (SMIIC) which develops and matches standards across Islamic nations in facilitation of trade, product quality and consumer safety, and the International Organisation for Standardization (ISO) which sets global benchmarks for quality, safety, and efficiency across industries.