The UAE tops several digital transformation indices, says TDRA report 

The Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) has issued the Digital Transformation in the UAE Report 2020, which highlights the UAE’s leading global position in digital transformation. The UAE has topped several global and Arab indices in different fields including smart government, telecommunication, education, health, and digital solutions.

The report shares the story of digital transformation in the UAE, which started in the early 1980s with the establishment of the Public Information Authority. That authority was responsible for the automation of government processes and the introduction of computers in federal government work. The report highlighted some of the UAE's achievements in the digital world up till 2021, the year of the country's golden jubilee, and its preparation for the next fifty years.

The report states, in numbers and facts, the achievements of different sectors in terms of digital transformation in the UAE. In the health sector, the UAE has been ranked 1^st on the number of accredited medical facilities index. Accredited medical facilities which met required standards (including IT management and employment in healthcare services) reached 88.33%. The UAE has been ranked 12^th in health infrastructure.

In the economic sector, the UAE has been ranked 1^st on a number of indices, including public-private partnership and its impact on technology development, use of virtual professional networks, and government purchase of advanced technology products. The UAE was ranked 1^st regionally on the global innovation index, readiness for future index, IMD’s digital competitiveness index, and market value of information and media technology index.

Regarding capacity building, the UAE has been ranked 4^th globally in terms of the legal framework's adaptability to digital business models, 2^nd in ICT usage, big data usage and analysis, and government future orientation.

The report shed light on many achievements of federal and local government entities in the field of digital transformation. Achieved initiatives include orientation to a paperless government, digital service platforms, and digital connection among government entities through the Federal Network (FedNet), UAE Pass, and Government Service Bus (GSB). These initiatives also include the optimistic strategies approved by the government to enter the age of 4^th industrial revolution, artificial intelligence, and big data analysis.

Commenting on this report, H.E. Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, Director General of the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority, Head of Digital Government said: “In the UAE, we are determined to save no efforts to enhance the due position of the UAE since the start of the Union and under directions of our wise leadership. Today, we achieved many top ranks, particularly in digital transformation, under the direction of our leadership and with the help of our national cadres. We prepare for the next fifty years to make more achievements.”

According to the report, the UAE has been ranked 4^th globally in cybersecurity, and 1^st regionally in artificial intelligence infrastructure and access to information technology.

The UAE has been ranked first globally in mobile broadband internet subscriptions, mobile phone network coverage, mobile broadband subscriptions, and wireless broadband.

The report referred to a set of leading initiatives related to information society and digital economy, including the E-Health Information System 'Wareed”, robotic pharmacy, eService integration, and Human Resources Management Information System (Bayanati).

In the economic and security sectors, the UAE has made significant achievements, including the development of the e-service Basher (Doing business in 15 minutes), E-Police in your Mobile service, and the Hassantuk smart city initiative.

The report also highlighted the UAE's smart platform for big data and transition to the improved and high-potential Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6), with the UAE being the first country at the regional level to apply IPV6, the federal network "FedNet" and the digital identity and signature solution "UAE PASS".

Additionally, the report reviewed achievements made at the level of local governments of the seven emirates of the UAE, highlighting the large volume of work that has been achieved in terms of the digital transformation of public services. These achievements enhance the UAE’s orientation towards a new brighter future in the era of the 4^th industrial revolution, artificial intelligence, space, and the digital knowledge society.