Abu Dhabi was followed by Singapore, Seoul, Tel Aviv and Dubai.

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

Abu Dhabi has once again topped and Dubai bagged fifth position in the list of the world’s leading cities for their quick response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The UAE capital also maintained its position as a pioneer in scientific research, digital initiatives and technology, and a leading destination for medical tourism.

The report released by the London-based analytics consortium, Deep Knowledge Group (DKG). The report was based on 114 parameters covering key aspects of the COVID-19 response. Abu Dhabi was followed by Singapore, Seoul, Tel Aviv and Dubai.

The ranking focused on five main categories, including government efficiency, economic resilience, the efficiency of the quarantine system, healthcare management and vaccination rates.

The categories were applied to 72 cities and municipalities around the world, where 50 cities with the highest ranks among them were selected and analysed to identify the best practices and the challenges they encounter.

The first version of the report was published in April 2021 and ranked Abu Dhabi as the safest city in the world during the pandemic.

This achievement was the result of the Abu Dhabi leadership guidance and continuous support, that is continuing to follow the footsteps of the late Founding Father, Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, in making the UAE a safe and prosperous country to live in. The ranking was also made possible through the efforts of senior management and staff in various public and private institutions, along with the dedication of field teams and healthcare professionals.

Abu Dhabi’s robust response to the pandemic ensured that the Emirate maintained a low rate of positive cases and one of the lowest mortality rates per capita in the world, while adapting and scaling up healthcare provision to protect every member of society.

Abu Dhabi has played a key role in the UAE’s vaccination campaign, leading to more than 88 percent of the UAE’s population has already received a free vaccine.

Abu Dhabi continues to work and develop to maintain the effectiveness of its strategies in dealing with the pandemic and to share its inspiring experience globally to help in eliminating the effects of the COVID-19 virus in various parts of the world.