The UAE is the number one country in the MENA region and the tenth in the world in terms of global influence

The GSPI -Global Soft Power Index-, a list compiled by the British company Brand Finance, has just issued its latest report in which it ranks the United Arab Emirates in good standing worldwide, and classifies it as the first country in the MENA region -North Africa and the Middle East- in terms of global influence. Internationally, the nation is ranked tenth in this new ranking of 120 countries worldwide.

The ranking is compiled using surveys of people from around the world, specifically 101 countries. This year, more than 100,000 respondents have chosen the Gulf country as one of the most influential in the world and one that is leading to changes in the population of other countries.

The news has been welcomed by the Emirati public, with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, Dubai's vice-president, prime minister and ruler himself commenting on the matter via the social networking site Twitter. "The GSPI 2022, ranked the UAE 10th globally and 1st regionally in its global soft power influence. This reflects our leadership position and good reputation globally," it conveyed to its citizens in the tweet.

It is worth remembering that soft power is an economic term derived from its English form (soft power), which tries to explain the ability of a country to persuade others to take its model of state as a way to follow. It is an operation that is executed through values and means, such as the culture, the way of life of its society or the political values that are transmitted both locally and beyond its borders.

Last year, the UAE was ranked 15th in the world for global influence, according to the 2021 GSPI rankings. Moreover, its leadership in the MENA region as a whole continues to be maintained due to its political, economic and social achievements and progress.

The sheikh followed up his Twitter commentary by explaining the reasons why the UAE is enjoying so much success. "The UAE's soft power lies in its development model, which brings together the best ideas and minds from around the world and brings people of all races together to build the best development experience in the world," the Dubai governor explained.

As such, the states that make up the emirate have just gained a very prestigious reputation, as well as a positive impact on attracting business and continuing to influence other nations with its model, as it is a territory that possesses a stable economic environment. The ranking endows the Emirates as one of the "most helpful countries internationally".

This is not the only feat the nation has achieved. Brand Finance claims that the UAE is the eleventh country in the world to have the "best international relations", the eighth to have a "strong and stable economy". It has also been praised for its management of the aftermath of COVID-19, ranking it ninth for "best support for economic recovery", as well as holding tenth place globally for "most influential business and trade".

Added to this is the achievement of being the eleventh country in the world with "future growth potential" and the twelfth in "helping other countries manage and recover from the pandemic". As a result of this, for its work in inoculation against the virus, it is ranked 13th in "health and well-being of its population, including vaccination".

This is promising and very good news for the UAE, which is making an increasing global footprint and impact. It is the only country of Arab origin to achieve such a high ranking, both globally and regionally, which means that it will soon become a benchmark for nations with a common culture and many other social aspects.