Abu dhabi: Amid major achievements at home and abroad, the UAE is set to celebrate its 54th National Day tomorrow. Furthermore, the year 2025 has been a significant chapter for the UAE, marked by its ascent in global competitiveness rankings and advancements in security, economy, innovation, renewable energy, artificial intelligence, and quality of life, positioning it among the world's leading nations in soft power.
According to Qatar News Agency, the UAE has made notable progress in the 2025 World Competitiveness Ranking report, issued by the World Competitiveness Center of the Switzerland-based International Institute for Management Development (IMD). The nation ranked fifth globally, joining the world's top countries in economic competitiveness, government efficiency, legislative strength, and business environment. It also secured first place globally in the absence of bureaucracy, second in adaptability, and fourth in government efficiency.
The UAE further achieved ninth place worldwide among the top ten countries in digital performance. For the first time, it entered the list of the top ten countries in the 2025 World Talent Ranking issued by the IMD in Lausanne, ranking ninth among 69 global economies, a notable jump of eight places compared to the previous year.
Additionally, the country advanced seven places in the business efficiency pillar, ranking third globally, and maintained strong performances in economic performance and government efficiency pillars, ranking second and fourth globally, respectively. According to UNCTAD's World Investment Report 2025, the UAE ranked tenth globally as the largest destination for inward foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows, achieving a record AED 167.6 billion (USD 45.6 billion) in 2024.
In 2025, the UAE achieved significant strides in artificial intelligence (AI) and the digital economy, with AI tool adoption reaching 97 percent and the number of programmers exceeding 450,000. The year also saw the inauguration of the UAE-US AI Campus with a capacity of 5 gigawatts, the signing of a UAE-France cooperation framework, the launch of a global cybersecurity center of excellence in partnership with Google, and a USD 1 billion global initiative to support AI projects in Africa.
Infrastructure and urban development projects progressed, including the high-speed rail project between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, a AED 170 billion national road plan, and major projects in transportation, water, and energy, alongside large-scale housing expansions in various regions.
On this occasion, festivities are taking place across the UAE under the theme "United," with government buildings, streets, public squares, and shopping centers adorned with national flags, lights, and displays that reflect the spirit of the national occasion and highlight community activities and events.