A high-level Saudi Arabian delegation comprising top ministers, government officials, and business leaders is set to participate in the upcoming UN High-level Political Forum. The forum, which will convene in New York from July 10 to 19, will bring representatives from more than 100 countries to evaluate the progress of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
With a focus on accelerating the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and fully implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the forum aims to address poverty eradication and explore effective and inclusive recovery measures. Its agenda includes discussions on the impacts of the pandemic on the SDGs and the formulation of actionable policy guidance for the comprehensive implementation of the 2030 agenda at all levels.
Leading the Saudi delegation will be Faisal Alibrahim, Minister of Economy and Planning. The delegation comprises representatives from 22 government entities, private sector companies, and nonprofit organizations. During the forum, Saudi Arabia will submit its second Voluntary National Review (VNR) report, which highlights the country’s progress in achieving the SDGs. The VNR is a voluntary reporting mechanism established by the UN to monitor countries’ implementation of the SDGs.
The VNR offers an opportunity for countries to share their experiences, including successes, challenges, and lessons learned, in order to accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. The Saudi delegation includes prominent figures such as Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, Minister of Energy; Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Abdulrahman Al-Fadley, Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture; and Ahmed Al-Khateeb, Minister of Tourism.
In addition to participating in panel discussions, Saudi entities such as the Public Investment Fund, Saudi Arabian Oil Co., Saudi Basic Industries Corp., and NEOM will showcase their achievements and initiatives related to sustainable development. The Kingdom has been actively involved in the UN High-level Political Forum since 2018, sharing its experiences and efforts towards achieving sustainability goals. These include the commitment to reach net-zero emissions by 2060 and increase domestic renewable energy generation capacity to 50 percent by the end of the decade.
The Saudi Arabian Vision 2030 emphasizes the importance of sustainability, making it a key agenda for the country. The participation in the UN forum reflects Saudi Arabia’s commitment to global cooperation and its dedication to achieving the SDGs for a more prosperous and sustainable future.
