UAE tops in the region, ranked 17th globally in Global Soft Power Index

The UAE has been ranked 17th in the world in the Soft Power Index and topped amongst 15 nations from the Middle East & North Africa (MENA) region, according to the Soft Power Index report released on Thursday at the Global Soft Power Summit 2021. The index was based on the survey conducted on 77,000 people in 105 countries around the world upon various metrics of international relations, business and trade, education and science, people and values, governance, and media and communication.

The United Arab Emirates has an overall index score of 48.4 out of 100 as it revels improved scores across the Governance (18th), Education & Science (19th) and People & Values (24th) metrics, stated Brand Finance in the recent study, which is based on perceptions of national brands.

"We want to send a message to everyone that the UAE continues to build bridges with all peoples and continues to weave positive economic and developmental relations with everyone. UAE also continues to embrace world cultures. Because we are not a state in the world, but a world in a state," said Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

Several UAE's brands are noticed globally such as ADNOC, Etisalat, DP World and Emirates. Major events like Expo2020, Global Village, IDEX and NAVDEX have all been gateway to national broadening towards international emplacement.

"The successful Emirates Mars Mission is a clear example of the nation punching above its weight, entering the race with global heavyweights China and the US, also forming an integral part of the nation's journey to diversify its economy with sights set on long-term growth," said Andrew Campbell, MD of Brand Finance Middle-East.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia followed the UAE as runner up in the MENA and 24th worldwide with most Arab countries going up the charts. The UAE, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Qatar, Egypt, Iran, Algeria and Iraq all witnessed surge with point increase of 2.4, 2.3, 1.1, 3.8, 3.5, 0.4, 1.3 and 2.5 respectively.

Germany topped the list and took over America which was graded first last year now stands at 6th spot. Germany's Angela Merkel was entitled as the world's most respected leader. Japan tops in the Asian continent and second overall with a score of 60.6 out of 100.