Saudi Economy Minister Advocates For Bold Action On SDGs At UN Forum

Minister of Economy and Planning, Faisal bin Fadel Alibrahim, addressed the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) in New York. He highlighted the urgent need for decisive action to tackle global challenges and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). "Accelerating the pace of progress requires policymaking that is ambitious and bold, but also clear, collaborative and solutions-oriented," he stated.

Alibrahim discussed Saudi Arabia's comprehensive strategy under Saudi Vision 2030. This strategy focuses on sustainable practices at the local level. He mentioned, "In Saudi Arabia, we understand that sustainable progress hinges on creating and capturing opportunities to improve the overall standard of living to enhance the quality of life." The Kingdom is taking a whole-of-economy, human-centric approach to unlock its potential.

The Minister emphasised that cities in Saudi Arabia are publishing their Voluntary Local Reviews. These reviews integrate sustainable practices to reach all communities. This localisation of sustainable action is a key part of Saudi Vision 2030.

Alibrahim highlighted Saudi Arabia's role in energy security and climate action through the Saudi Green Initiative. "Under the Saudi Green Initiative, the Kingdom is playing a key role in achieving global climate targets," he said. The initiative includes over 80 projects with an investment exceeding $180 billion to grow the green economy and establish Saudi Arabia as a renewable energy leader.

He stressed that prioritising immediate challenges can unlock more capabilities, energy, and hope. "As we look ahead, let us take a smarter, more pragmatic approach to deliver more tangible progress," he added. This approach aims to address pressing issues quickly while fostering long-term development.

The Minister concluded by reiterating the importance of collaboration and clear policymaking. He believes these elements are crucial for accelerating progress towards achieving SDGs. His address underscored Saudi Arabia's commitment to sustainable development and its proactive role in global climate efforts.

With inputs from SPA