The UAE Gender Balance Council and the Human Development Report Office (HDRO) of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have jointly launched Bridging Gender Gaps in Human Development: A Landmark UNDP and UAE Gender Indices Case Study for Global Knowledge Exchange. It is the first publication jointly developed by UNDP and a Member State to connect Human Development Report indicators with the national policies and reforms behind measurable development outcomes.
Beyond international rankings, the publication examines the policy architecture underpinning the UAE’s progress in human development and gender balance. The publication combines the analytical expertise of HDRO and the UAE Gender Balance Council’s national policy perspective. It demonstrates how leadership, legislation, institutional reform and evidence-informed policymaking have translated national priorities into measurable results, while establishing a practical framework for international policy dialogue and mutual learning.
The publication traces the UAE’s development journey over more than three decades, illustrating how reforms across education, women’s leadership, political participation, institutional governance and legislative development have contributed to measurable progress. Among the milestones highlighted is the achievement of equal representation of women and men in the Federal National Council, alongside sustained investment in education, healthcare and policies that support women’s participation in public life and the economy.
These reforms have helped position the UAE 15th globally and first in the Arab region on the Human Development Index. The country also ranks 13th globally and is the first among Arab countries on the Gender Inequality Index, offering practical lessons that may inform policy development in other national contexts.
H.H. Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE Gender Balance Council, said: “This pioneering collaboration reflects the UAE's belief that sustainable progress is strengthened through evidence, partnership and open knowledge exchange. We are pleased to share the UAE's experience and the lessons gained throughout our development journey while continuing to learn from the experiences, innovations and good practices of other countries. We are confident this publication will provide a platform for practical, two-way exchange that supports countries in advancing inclusive and sustainable development in ways that respond to their own national contexts.”
H.E. Mona Ghanem Al Marri, Vice President of the UAE Gender Balance Council, said: “The value of this case study lies in making the policy architecture behind the indicators visible. It explains how the UAE translated national priorities into measurable progress and shares practical insights that can support policy dialogue, mutual learning and future cooperation.”
Pedro Conceição, Director of HDRO, said: “This collaboration reflects a shared commitment by the Human Development Report Office of UNDP and the UAE to advancing human development through evidence, policy innovation and international knowledge exchange. By bringing together global expertise and national experience, it strengthens understanding of how gender equality can be embedded within broader development strategies and translated into measurable progress. Partnerships of this kind enable countries to learn from one another, adapt successful approaches to their own contexts and accelerate lasting improvements in people’s lives.”
The collaboration reflects a shared commitment to practical policy exchange and international cooperation. It enables the UAE to share its development experience and lessons learned, while also reinforcing the country’s commitment to learning from the experiences, innovations and best practices of other nations. This two-way knowledge exchange supports evidence-informed policymaking and contributes to more effective development solutions across diverse national contexts.
The publication establishes a platform for continued international policy dialogue, mutual learning and practical knowledge exchange. Through this collaboration, the UAE Gender Balance Council and UNDP aim to deepen cooperation, share policy experience and learn from successful practices around the world. The report also seeks to support countries in developing context-specific approaches to human development and gender equality.
