Madinah Emphasises Commitment To SDGs Localization At Local And Regional Governments Forum In New York

Fahad Albulihshi, Mayor of Madinah Region and CEO of Al Madinah Region Development Authority, has reiterated Saudi Arabia's dedication to the United Nations Pact for the Future. This pact underscores the necessity of multilateral collaboration to achieve sustainable development goals (SDGs). Albulihshi delivered this message at the Local and Regional Governments Forum, part of the 2025 High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development at the UN headquarters in New York.

The forum highlighted the importance of aligning local policies, partnerships, governance, investment, and financing to advance SDGs. It stressed that collaboration among various stakeholders is crucial for achieving sustainable development objectives. The event included a high-level dialogue on how local and regional authorities can support the 2030 Agenda by localizing SDGs.

Albulihshi emphasized Saudi development authorities' significant role in translating SDGs into real-world outcomes. This effort is driven by Saudi Vision 2030 and supported by national leadership. He mentioned that these authorities strive to balance economic, social, and environmental development across regions and cities through initiatives like the Quality of Life Program.

Madinah has taken a leading role in localizing SDGs. The region has issued the 2023 Voluntary Local Review for Madinah and plans to release the 2024 Sustainable Development Status Report. These efforts demonstrate Madinah’s commitment to sustainable development practices.

The launch of the Atlas of Sustainable Development in Al Madinah Neighbourhoods was also highlighted. This tool provides a unique analysis of residential development using urban indicators, marking a first-of-its-kind initiative in the region. Such tools are essential for understanding and improving urban sustainability.

The forum also reviewed specific goals under scrutiny, such as Cities Countdown to 2030. Discussions focused on accelerating efforts to implement SDGs for a sustainable future. Participants engaged in a foresight exercise aimed at providing local public services sustainably and inclusively for future generations.

The discussions underscored how local high-impact policies can be aligned with broader goals. By fostering partnerships and multi-level governance, regions can effectively contribute to achieving global sustainability targets.

In summary, Saudi Arabia remains committed to its role in global sustainable development efforts. Through strategic initiatives and regional leadership, it aims to make significant progress towards achieving SDGs by 2030.

With inputs from SPA