Saudi Arabia Showcases Achievements In SDGs At UN Political Forum

The Quality of Life Program, part of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, hosted several events during the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) at the United Nations headquarters in New York City from July 8 to 18. These events showcased Saudi Arabia's efforts towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and enhancing life quality in alignment with Vision 2030.

The first session, titled "From Vision to Impact: Integrations for Achieving Sustainable Social and Environmental Change," aimed to raise awareness about Saudi Vision 2030. It highlighted the Quality of Life Program's initiatives and their role in attaining the SDGs. The session also addressed urban challenges, advanced data usage, innovative practices, and the significance of cooperation and experience exchange in meeting local, regional, and international objectives.

On the second day, an event focused on "Quality of Life and Its Link to Sustainable Development" featured panel discussions and interactive lectures. Experts and officials from Saudi Arabia and around the world attended. Khalid bin Abdullah Al-Baker, chief executive of the Quality of Life Program, delivered a speech emphasizing the program's role in achieving Saudi Vision 2030 goals. He stated that various initiatives aim to improve life quality in areas such as arts, culture, sports, tourism, urban development, entertainment, hobbies, security, and safety.

"We seek to find innovative solutions and create a knowledge system that redefines the concept of quality of life. Our cooperation with global partners such as the United Nations Human Settlements Program (UN-Habitat) strengthens our efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals," Al-Baker said.

The events saw participation from several government agencies including the Ministry of Economy and Planning, Ministry of Energy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture. Representatives from entities like the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification (NCVC), National Center for Environmental Compliance (NCEC), General Food Security Authority (GFSA), Royal Commission for Riyadh City, Royal Commission for AlUla Governorate were also present.

Academics and civil-society organization representatives attended too. This reflects the international community's significant interest in Quality of Life initiatives. The sessions covered topics such as urban data importance in planning and policymaking, modern city challenges, strategies for enhancing life quality through innovative urban interventions.

Achievements Highlighted

The program's achievements were presented during these sessions. These included increasing green spaces, improving municipal services, supporting security operations for safer communities. The participation at HLPF aligns with Vision 2030 goals to transform Saudi Arabia into a leading global model across various fields while committing to SDGs by improving citizens', residents', visitors' quality of life.

Al-Baker concluded his speech by urging attendees to cooperate actively in discussions aimed at sustainable development. He emphasized that exchanging ideas can lead to effective solutions implemented on ground contributing towards a sustainable prosperous future for all.

The involvement in HLPF underscores Saudi Arabia's dedication towards providing opportunities ensuring everyone lives securely with well-being infrastructure under Vision 2030 framework.

With inputs from SPA