By Tim Frazer
The UAE’s leadership recognized the importance of digital transformation early on, positioning the country as a pioneer in this field, not just regionally but globally. In this context, digital and intelligent transformation is one of the strategic goals of the state, where it has achieved global accomplishments that have placed it among the best countries in government digital transformation, making it the only Arab state in this group, thanks to the visionary leadership.
The UAE is advancing towards a sustainable digital future that encompasses both government and society, implementing the UAE Centennial 2071 Vision, set by its leadership. Its experience in digital transformation has made it one of the most mature countries in providing digital government services. From this perspective, Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government, specialized in policy research and government leadership development, signed a strategic cooperation memorandum with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), aiming to enhance cooperation in areas such as capacity building, digital transformation studies, AI governance, and developing innovative public policies in the Arab world. This memorandum reflects the UAE’s leading role in supporting government innovation and shaping data-driven policies, reinforcing its contribution to regional cooperation and capacity building in digital governance and advanced technology worldwide.
Experts believe this strategic partnership supports regional efforts to cement the UAE’s leading global position in digital transformation and digital government services. The country has succeeded in implementing innovative strategies that fundamentally changed public service delivery, enhancing digital governance through the use of data and advanced technology, foremost among them artificial intelligence, to improve government performance and elevate service quality.
The partnership also focuses on building strategic alliances with local and international entities to exchange expertise and best practices in digital transformation, investing in scientific research and development, and human capacity development. This aligns with the UAE’s ambitious vision, alongside the objectives of Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government to empower government cadres with digital knowledge and skills to keep pace with technological developments and face future challenges.
The agreement was signed on the sidelines of the World Government Summit 2025, by Dr. Abdallah Al Dardari, Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations and Assistant Administrator and Director of the Regional Bureau for Arab States for UNDP, on behalf of the international side, and Dr. Ali bin Sebaa Al Marri, Executive President of Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government, on behalf of the UAE.
The Memorandum of Understanding focuses on several key areas:
-Building capabilities and studies to enhance digital governance.
-Formulating AI policies and developing ethical assessment frameworks.
-Exploring AI’s impact on sustainability and enhancing governance frameworks to ensure responsible adoption.
-Promoting international cooperation in AI and digital transformation.
-Developing innovation policies in trade, finance, and technology, in line with the UAE’s digital vision and sustainable development strategies.
With this agreement, the UAE continues to strengthen its status as a leading force in digital transformation, not only in the Middle East but globally, affirming its pivotal role in shaping the contours of the global digital future.
