In the "outlook index" of the Global Cities Report, published on Tuesday by management consulting firm Kearney states, Abu Dhabi jumped 13 positions from 20th to 7th place, improving its position from 20th to 7th place.

Dubai remained in 27th position in the overall 2020 Global Cities Index, which was topped by New York, and is the only city in Middle East to make the top 30.

Cities that saw significant changes in their outlook results, such as Abu Dhabi, did so largely in the areas of innovation and economics. Long-term investments were beginning to bear fruit. Due to its openness to the private sector and robust participation in public–private partnerships, Dubai, along with the capital city, topped the economics metric in infrastructure.

The most significant shift in the GCI was Beijing's ascension into the top five global cities, indicating the benefit of balancing stability and development with ambitious human capital investments, according to the study. Despite these unexpected results, the top four cities—New York, London, Paris, and Tokyo—retained their positions. This enduring strength exemplifies the wide range of benefits needed to climb to the top of the Index and retain it, as well as the self-reinforcing force of global city status.

Although Middle Eastern cities made significant gains due to the Gulf countries' heavy focus on national development and economic diversification. Chinese cities made significant gains in personal well-being, creativity, and governance. Despite this, New York, London, Paris, and Tokyo continue to hold the top four spots, demonstrating the wide range of advantages needed to achieve and sustain global status.

“While the full effect of the pandemic will not be known for months or years, it has upended the status quo, creating new threats and opportunities for city leaders,” said Rudolph Lohmeyer, partner, National Transformations Institute, Kearney Middle East.

“What is now painfully evident in the new reality is that previous position would not be adequate to guarantee global prominence in the future. If cities are to emerge stronger and more sustainable, they will need to make strategic decisions and investments that will look very different than past years,” said Lohmeyer.

“As cities brace for life after Covid-19, the study gives a snapshot of where they were it all started. “City leaders should use this year's performance as a benchmark to determine where they've come from as they plan for an uncertain future,” said Antoine Nasr, partner and Government Practice Chief at Kearney Middle East.