Madinah City Honoured With Gold Level Certification In SDG Cities Program

In a significant stride towards sustainable urban development, Madinah has been awarded the Gold Level of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Cities Program, a prestigious recognition accredited by the United Nations Human Settlement Program (UN-Habitat). This certification ceremony, sponsored by Prince Salman bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, Governor of the Madinah Region and Chairman of the Board of Madinah Region Development Authority, marks a milestone for Madinah as it becomes the first city in Saudi Arabia and the Arab world to achieve this status. Furthermore, Madinah stands as the third city globally to fulfill the second of three phases required by UN-Habitat’s SDG Cities Program.

The ceremony saw the attendance of notable figures including Prince Saud bin Khaled bin Faisal, Deputy Governor of the Madinah Region and Deputy Chairman of the Board, alongside Fahad Al-Buliheshi, Mayor of Al-Madinah Region and CEO of its development authority. This achievement underscores Madinah’s dedication to sustainable urban development, showcasing a comprehensive assessment of the city’s progress and its commitment to an inclusive strategic vision aimed at achieving the SDGs by 2030.

Building on its previous success, having obtained the Silver Certificate a year prior, Madinah’s advancement to the Gold Level exemplifies its leading role in localizing SDGs. This progression aligns with Madinah’s human-centered smart city strategy, which emphasizes creating a vibrant community to enhance the quality of life for its residents and enriching experiences for visitors in a sustainable framework.

The collaborative efforts among government entities, private sector participants, and not-for-profit organizations reflect the high level of attention and care provided by the government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince towards the Madinah Region. This initiative is part of the broader objectives outlined in Saudi Vision 2030, aiming to foster a sustainable and prosperous future for all.

This recognition by UN-Habitat not only highlights Madinah’s pioneering efforts in sustainable urban development but also sets a benchmark for other cities aiming to integrate SDGs into their strategic planning and development processes. The Gold Level certification is a testament to Madinah’s unwavering commitment to achieving a sustainable future, in line with global standards and objectives.

With inputs from SPA