Today's Edition
MUDHI ALOBTHANI (ABU DHABI)
The UAE’s top global ranking in public trust reflects the government’s consistent efforts, results-oriented policies, and a clear commitment to putting people first, a senior Emirati diplomat said.
The country ranked first in the 2026 Edelman Trust Barometer, up from fourth place in 2025. It shares the spot with China with a score of 80, well above the global average of 57.
Earning people’s trust and cementing that reputation on the global stage is an achievement that results not from a single policy or moment, according to Dr Mohammed Ibrahim Al Dhaheri, Deputy Director General of the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy (AGDA).
“It is the outcome of cumulative work and a consistent leadership approach built on credibility, transparency, and placing people at the heart of public policy,” he told Aletihad in an interview.
The annual Edelman report examines public confidence in key sectors worldwide, drawing insights from nearly 34,000 respondents across 28 countries for its 2026 edition.
Trust in the UAE Government reached 86%, a four-point increase from 2025. The country also saw some of the largest year-on-year gains in optimism and confidence across sectors, from businesses to employers, media, and NGOs.
The business sector maintained strong trust at 84%, up eight points and earning the top spot as the most trusted among the evaluated countries. Trust in the media surged 15 points to 74%, marking the highest year-on-year growth for the sector.
Employer confidence rose eight points to 88%, with respondents saying they trust their employers to do what’s right. NGOs also gained eight points, reaching 77% trust.
Dr Al Dhaheri emphasised that these figures are grounded in real-world experiences felt by both citizens and residents.
“When government services anticipate people’s needs and exceed their expectations, trust shifts from being a number in an international index to a genuine sense of reassurance,” he said.
Public services, he noted, are being transformed through digitalisation, proactive governance, and reduced bureaucracy. Initiatives such as the Zero Government Bureaucracy Programme have significantly streamlined procedures and shortened service timelines, reinforcing public confidence and improving everyday interactions with government entities.
Beyond efficiency, the UAE has increasingly focused on quality of life, mental well-being, and work-life balance through national strategies. Dr Al Dhaheri said this shift demonstrates how the UAE Government is moving its approach from simply delivering services to enhancing the lived experience of society.
“Trust in the UAE has been built through daily practices—efficient services, a strong rule of law, and policies that respect human dignity and diversity,” he said.
Openness and Optimism
The UAE’s openness and long-held principles of tolerance and coexistence stood out at a time when some countries face rising isolationism and social fragmentation. The report showed the country had one of the lowest rates of insular trust at 48%, compared with a global average of 70%.
“In the UAE, the relationship between leadership and society is built on mutual respect and genuine engagement,” Dr Al Dhaheri said. “This human connection has evolved into a strategic asset that reinforces trust in institutions and policies.”
The rise in trust was mirrored by strong public optimism about the country’s future. According to the survey, 63% of UAE respondents believe the next generation will be better off, placing the nation second globally in optimism — far above many advanced economies, where optimism levels are below 20%.
This confidence is underpinned by tangible economic indicators, including job security, sustained growth, and a stable investment environment, factors that further strengthen trust in leadership and institutions.
Dr Al Dhaheri emphasised that the UAE’s experience shows how trust can move from an abstract concept to a measurable and sustainable strategic asset.
“The UAE model of institutional trust is built on efficiency, transparency, proactiveness, and a strong human dimension,” he said. “What international indicators clearly show is that what has been achieved in the UAE is felt by citizens and residents in their daily lives—it is not merely reflected in reports, but lived on the ground.”
