Knowledge-based Partnership to Achieve Sustainable Development

The findings of the Global Knowledge Index (GKI) 2019, unveiled at the 6th Knowledge Summit 2019 in Dubai, serve as a roadmap for governments to fast track their countries to strong, information-driven knowledge-based economies, said experts.

The key findings of the GKI 2019, a joint initiative between the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation (MBRF), were discussed on the second day of the Summit during a session that also underlined the role of MBRF in spreading knowledge.

Addressing the audience, H.E. Jamal bin Huwaireb, CEO of MBRF, said the findings of the GKI, which follows a number of reports earlier prepared by UNDP and MBRF, are relevant for governments in boosting their economies. “It provides them the roadmap to identify areas of concern to be addressed and to scale up their processes to enhance economic competitiveness and, in turn, the happiness of the people.”

He said the GKI 2019 provides the ‘right diagnosis’ for countries, adding that the UAE has set a model in leveraging data on its knowledge economy to take positive action and thereby enhance its ranking globally.

“Without such an index, you cannot measure a knowledge based economy. We urge all nations to update their data so they can identify any shortcomings and address them in a timely manner,” he noted.

Khaled Abdel Shafi, the UNDP Director of the Regional Bureau for Arab States said that GKI 2019 has a central role to play in driving the global efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In particular, it highlights SDG 17, which aims to strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise global partnerships for sustainable development.

Jamal bin Huwaireb: “The UAE has set a model in leveraging data on
its knowledge economy to take positive action and thereby enhance its
ranking globally.”

“The SDGs cannot be achieved without the support of knowledgeable communities. One challenge that the region as well as developing countries faced is the lack of data. GKI presents informed insights that can be analysed, enabling decision makers to take timely and relevant action,” he added.

Hany Torky, Chief Technical Advisor of The Knowledge Project, said the GKI 2019 is based on evidence backed research. Its data is provided by governments adding to its credibility. He said the research team uses modern algorithms to ensure accurate analysis and emphasised the need for today’s youth to draw on technology to upskill themselves rather than use it for unproductive pursuits.

“Young people must be made part of the solution or they will become part of the problem, and it is important to engage them meaningfully to drive sustainable development,” he said.

The discussion also covered the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning in knowledge based economies, with H.E. Jamal bin Huwaireb explaining the success of MBRF’s ‘Knowledge4All’ app that uses AI and has been downloaded more than 600,000 times, underpinning its popularity among youth as a learning tool.

The Foundation’s partnership with UNDP that has been running for ten years now, and the joint work commitment has been extended by another ten years.