Coin Open Days → more info

Date of event: Thursday, June 19, 2025

Where: Online

Description: 

Initiated in 2017, through an ongoing partnership between the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Mohamed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation (MBRF), the Global Knowledge Index (GKI) provides a reliable, practical and scientific tool to chart cognitive and developmental realities, and support effective policymaking.

The index comprises six composite sub-indices highlighting the performance of sectors such as education, ICT, research, development, and economy. It also features a composite enabling environment sub-index that captures the social, political, economic, health and environmental context across these sectors.

The structure of the index features a hierarchy comprising sectoral indices, pillars, sub-pillars and variables. With 155 variables sourced from over 40 international sources and databases, the GKI provides a detailed and reliable assessment of knowledge ecosystems. 

Societal impact:

The GKI monitors the knowledge status of countries and serves as a valuable resource and guide to policymakers, researchers, civil society, and the private sector.

By fostering the development of knowledge-based societies and identifying critical knowledge gaps between different countries, the GKI exemplifies UNDP’s steadfast commitment to advancing knowledge-driven development throughout the world.

The index emphasizes the strategic importance of leveraging knowledge infrastructure to create new opportunities, including job creation, improve livelihoods and foster long-term resilience all of which are essential for advancing sustainable development. 

The GKI inspires initiatives such as the knowledge weeks, which aim to foster dialogue, build capacity, and promote knowledge-based development at the national and regional levels.