The General Secretariat of the National Commission for Sustainable Development Goals revealed yesterday that the UAE has achieved the goal of eradicating poverty by 100% within the framework of the strong performance of the State in achieving the sustainable development goals set by the United Nations.

In its first report on private sector initiatives for sustainability in the country, entitled “Private Sector Contributions to Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals”, the General Secretariat explained that the UAE does not face any challenges related to poverty, especially given the easy access to natural resources. The UAE has achieved the goal of 100% poverty eradication, stressing that no one in the UAE lives below the poverty line of $ 1.25 a day (4.6 dirhams) by the World Bank Group.

Relief organizations

The report, prepared by Oliver Wyman Consulting, in partnership with the private sector advisory board of the National Commission on Sustainable Development Goals, stated that the UAE supports the implementation of the goal of poverty eradication, especially as it is considered one of the most important sustainable development goals internationally. Humanitarian work through various relief organizations, such as the UAE Red Crescent Authority, has in recent years allocated a large proportion of the total assistance provided by the Authority in favor of achieving this goal.

The report revealed that the UAE has achieved a high percentage of more than 93% in relation to Goal No. 16 of the Sustainable Development Goals, which aims to increase the level of government efficiency.

Safety and security

The report stressed that the Ministry of Interior continues to work with public institutions to ensure that the UAE remains among the safest and safest countries to live in by 2021, noting that there is a broad consensus on the commitment of the Ministry of Interior to achieve this, as the UAE achieved more than 90% The key performance indicator for the Sustainable Development Goals, which relates to individuals feeling safe while roaming at night alone.

Income distribution

The UAE is in a very good position in terms of income distribution among different groups, surpassing countries such as the United Kingdom and the United States.

He stated that the UAE is making significant and continuous progress in reducing social inequalities as emphasized in Goal 10 of the Sustainable Development Goals, through the core of the policies of the UAE, which targets groups such as people of determination, senior citizens, widows and divorced women.

A global model

`` The UAE has become a global model in the governance of the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and harnessing innovative partnerships between the public and private sectors, '' said Abdullah Nasser Lootah, Director General of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority, Vice Chairman of the National Commission for Sustainable Development Goals and Chairman of the Private Sector Advisory Council.

He pointed out that the report reviews the most important initiatives of the National Commission for Sustainable Development Goals, the government team responsible for implementing the UAE's sustainability goals, which was formed in January 2017 under the chairmanship of the Minister of State for International Cooperation, Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashimi. A roadmap for 2030, focusing on four main phases: “raising awareness, building the foundations, setting policies, reporting, and monitoring performance”.

"Cooperation between the UAE government and the private sector plays a crucial role in strengthening the UAE's efforts to successfully implement the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations," said Greg Range, Oliver Wyman's partner.

Private companies

Private companies in the UAE have tremendous potential to drive progress in the sustainable development goals.It also operates across many sectors with thousands of employees and serves millions of customers, stressing that its impact on society is enormous and the potential for its contribution to sustainable development is growing.

The report presents an integrated study of a number of key initiatives launched by a group of national and international companies in the UAE to support the sustainability agenda in the UAE.

The report includes a study of programs and initiatives to support sustainability, launched by 12 institutions within the advisory board of the private sector, and these initiatives range from: renewable energy, real estate development, retail, aviation, land and sea transport services.

The UAE achieved 93% in terms of high level of government efficiency.

The state scores 90% in the performance index related to individuals feeling safe while roaming at night alone.