The impact of good governance on sustainable development in the United Arab Emirates for the period (2004-2023)

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the impact of good governance on achieving sustainable development in the United Arab Emirates during the period 2004–2023, given the growing international interest in the role of institutions and the quality of governance in supporting comprehensive development paths. The study's significance stems from the fact that good governance represents a fundamental institutional framework that contributes to the efficient allocation of resources and achieving a balance between the economic, social, and environmental dimensions of sustainable development, particularly in light of the UAE's distinguished development experience. The study is based on the central question: To what extent does good governance, in its various dimensions, contribute to achieving sustainable development in the UAE? It posits a significant positive relationship between good governance indicators and the level of sustainable development during the study period. To achieve this objective, the study employs a descriptive approach in its theoretical framework, alongside standard methods in its applied framework. Specifically, it utilizes the ARDL model to measure the relationship between good governance indicators (political stability and absence of violence, rule of law, voting and accountability) and the overall Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) performance index (OSDGI), relying on data from international organizations. The study results demonstrated a statistically significant positive relationship between good governance indicators and sustainable development in both the short and long term. The findings also showed that political stability and the absence of violence are among the most influential indicators in enhancing sustainable development performance. Furthermore, the results revealed that the global financial crisis negatively impacted sustainable development in the short term, while having a positive effect in the long term. This reflects the UAE economy's ability to adapt to external shocks and efficiently resume its growth and development trajectory.