UAE ranks highly for tolerance and co-existence on global indexes

Classification makes the UAE more competitive when it comes to attracting talent

Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak, Minister of Tolerance unveils Tolerance Bridge that croses the Dubai Canal. All photos by WAM

The bridge was named on the annual International Day for Tolerance.

The ceremony was held after the Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, announced the bridge’s new name, which reflects the UAE’s regional and global model for tolerance, harmony and co-existence.

The UAE’s leadership has established a consistent approach to making tolerance an integral part of our society, Sheikh Nahyan said.

We have more than 200 nationalities living and working in the UAE. At a time when hate speech, discrimination and non-acceptance of the other are spreading, we find value in otherness, appreciating the contributions made by different cultures and experiences that enrich us., Sheikh Nahyan added.

The UAE has been ranked among the top 20 countries in the world for its tolerance levels.

The annual reports, on business competitiveness, were published by Insead and IMD Business School.

Governments around the world use these surveys to gauge whether they can attract professional people to work in their countries.

The UAE ranked fourth for tolerance of immigrants according to Insead's Global Talent Competitiveness Index for 2020, level with Australia and Portugal (fourth), and behind Canada (first), New Zealand (second), and Norway (third).

The report placed the UAE 11th for its tolerance of minorities, behind Iceland and Ireland in joint first, Finland, Sweden, Portugal, Singapore, Uruguay, Oman, and Korea and Luxembourg tied at ninth.

The IMD World Digital Competitiveness index ranked the UAE fifth globally in the 'attitudes towards globalisation' category  ranking - ahead of Denmark (first), Sweden (second), Hong Kong (third) and Singapore (fourth).

Meanwhile, in IMD's World Competitiveness Yearbook, the Emirates was placed seventh for social cohesion, 11th for resilience and adaptation and 12th for the state's social responsibility towards citizens and residents.

These high rankings mean that the country has succeeded in achieving 'global leadership levels in the field of competitiveness, and exceeded the targets set in the UAE Vision 2021' - according to the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre.

A move towards greater tolerance

In the past few years, the UAE has introduced several measures to encourage a culture of tolerance, and to confront discrimination and racism in both business and everyday life.

In 2016, the UAE Cabinet approved the National Tolerance Programme, which established a solid legal system for an environment of coexistence, acceptance and tolerance.

The country celebrated the Year Of Tolerance in 2019, which was marked in particular by visits from Pope Francis and Dr Ahmed Al Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al Azhar.

In 2020, a survey to measure the level of tolerance across the UAE was launched by the Minister of Tolerance Office, the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority and Dubai Statistics.

The research will measure eight main pillars: coexistence in society, tolerance towards women, tolerance towards children, education and cultural tolerance, media tolerance, religious tolerance, institutional tolerance and coexistence in society with people with disabilities.

The purpose is to help the ministry identify potential areas where tolerance is lacking and help officials to remedy the matter.

"The UAE’s prominent global stature in tolerance and coexistence indexes is a source of pride and proof that we live in a country with a long history and traditional culture supported by a community that is keen to promote the values of tolerance, co-existence and giving," said Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak, Minister of Tolerance and Co-existence, according to Wam.

"We are living in a country whose achievements are protected by a wise and aware leadership, which encourages enlightened ideas and ethical behaviour."