.png "Interview With Expat Saanika Gandhi, Author of Children's Book 'The Yellow Kite'")
UAE ranked in the top 10 most influential countries worldwide, with Dubai joining as the ninth most influential city globally
12 November 2020
| Last updated on 12 November 2020
The Emirates made a major leap from 16th place in 2019, to ninth place in 2020.
The UAE ranked in the top 10 most influential countries in the world for the year 2020, beating world superpowers such as the US and UK.
Placing ninth on FutureBrand's Country Index for 2020, reflecting the nation's continuous strive towards excellence on the global stage.
Dubai also came in as the ninth most influential city in the world, after being recently named as the 12th best destination at TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards, and one of Lonely Planet's top 10 cities to visit in 2020.
FutureBrand's Country Index rankings is based on how people perceive nations across the globe and includes insights from the people living in each country.
According to the report, the UAE was labelled as one of the most important economic centres in the Middle East region, referring to the nation as a "regional powerhouse" and that "this small but ambitious nation is most definitely one to watch".
Key findings from the report saw 55 per cent of respondents want to visit the UAE in the next five years, and 71 per cent were positive about the country’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
"Although traditionally conservative, it is nevertheless one of the most liberal Gulf nations and, this year, became the first Gulf State to forge diplomatic relations with Israel", added the report.
Earlier in November, the UAE introduced several major reforms to their private and family laws, which include allowing unmarried couples to share a home together, decriminalising drinking alcohol, amendment to the Good Samaritan legislation, and more.
Top 10 of the world's most influential countries in 2020
- 1. Japan
- 2. Switzerland
- 3. Norway
- 4. Germany
- 5. Canada
- 6. Denmark
- 7. Finland
- 8. Sweden
- 9. United Arab Emirates
- 10. New Zealand
Top 10 of the world's most influential cities in 2020
- 1. New York
- 2. Beijing
- 3. Washington
- 4. London
- 5. Tokyo
- 6. Paris
- 7. Moscow
- 8. Shanghai
- 9. Dubai
- 10. Berlin
Source: FutureBrand
.png?itok=EH_x0Pha "Experience Extended Stays and Special Savings at Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort UAE")
