Abu Dhabi tops Middle East in global cities index

The Abu Dhabi Systems and Information Centre (ADSIC) announced that the emirate of Abu Dhabi had topped the Middle East region, in terms of the indicators outlined by the 2017 Cities in Motion Index.

The index was published by the Spain-based University of Navarra’s IESE Business School.

Now in its fourth edition, the Cities in Motion Index serves as an effective source for assessing key areas across global cities, including technology, through a broad range of expert perspectives from the private and public sectors.

The 2017 edition included 180 cities (73 capitals), representing 80 countries, and aimed to provide an innovative approach to governing smart cities and urbanisation in the 21st century. The conceptual model of the index assesses cities in relation to 10 key dimensions, namely economy, human capital, technology, environment, international outreach, social cohesion, mobility and transportation, governance, urban planning, and public management.

According to the Cities in Motion Index, the development of technology was highlighted as an "integral dimension," as it was an aspect of society that improved the quality of life. The index also cites that "technological development was a dimension that allowed cities to be sustainable over time, and to maintain or extend the competitive advantages of their production system, as well as the quality of employment. A technologically backward city has comparative disadvantages with respect to other cities, both from the point of view of security, education, and health, all fundamental to the sustainability of society."

"Abu Dhabi has been honoured with this distinguished first place in the Middle East ranking, thanks to the wise leadership and guidance of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and the sustained support of His Highness Sheikh Mohamad bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces and Chairman of the Executive Council," Rashed Lahej Al Manouri, Director-General of ADSIC, said.

"We are also honoured by Abu Dhabi’s global ranking of 13 in the field of technology, as we consider it a direct testament of Abu Dhabi’s various key achievements in the ICT sector, which have positioned the capital as a role model for innovation, fresh ideas and advanced digital solutions."

Al Mansouri concluded by thanking ADSIC’s strategic partners from the government entities in Abu Dhabi for their support and role in fulfilling the objectives of Abu Dhabi’s digital government. Al Mansouri also thanked the representatives of the private sector.