UAE’s Covid response best in region, among top 15 worldwide

Dubai - The index also measured the Covid-19 response of governments in a newly launched category.

The UAE’s Covid-19 response has been ranked the highest in the Middle East and in the top 15 globally, in the Global Soft Power Index 2021. The UAE’s efforts in facilitating international aid during the pandemic and its mass vaccination drive were widely praised in the index.

The 2021 index was launched during the virtual Global Soft Power Summit that brought together policymakers, diplomats and experts including Hilary Clinton, former US Secretary of State, Professor Joseph Nye, soft power expert at Harvard University, Carl Bildt, former prime minister of Sweden, and George Yeo, foreign minister of Singapore.

It evaluated the familiarity and influence and global reputation of nations on the main pillars of international relations, business and trade, education and science, people and values, governance, and media and communication. The index also measured the Covid-19 response of governments in a newly launched category.

The public reported growing positive perceptions of the UAE in the fields of education and science, governance, and people and values. According to the index, the widespread positive media coverage on the success of the Emirates Mars Mission helped boost perceptions of the UAE on ‘leading-edge technology’.

reporters@khaleejtimes.com