NEW YORK: Saudi Arabia is participating in the United Nations High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development running from July 7-15 in New York, where the Kingdom will present its Voluntary National Review report detailing national progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals under the 2030 Agenda.

This year’s VNR is Saudi Arabia’s third national review, following previous submissions at the HLPF in 2018 and 2023. The report draws on contributions from more than 140 entities spanning government, the private sector, academia, civil society and international partners, and highlights the integration of Saudi Vision 2030 with the global SDG framework.

The SDGs are a set of 17 interconnected global objectives adopted by the UN in 2015 to create a fairer, more peaceful, and sustainable world by 2030. They provide a shared blueprint to end poverty and protect the planet by balancing social, economic, and environmental sustainability.

The Saudi delegation is headed by Minister of Economy and Planning Faisal F. Alibrahim and includes representatives from 14 public, private and third-sector entities, among them the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Energy, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing, the Al Madinah Region Development Authority, the General Authority for Awqaf, the Saudi Fund for Development, Expo 2030 Riyadh Company, the Saudi Green Building Forum, the Saudi Sports for All Federation, Majmaah University and the CIFAL Saudi Arabia Center.

This year’s forum is being held under the theme “Transformative, equitable, innovative and coordinated actions for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals for a sustainable future for all,” with a focus on five goals: clean water and sanitation; affordable and clean energy, industry, innovation and infrastructure; sustainable cities and communities; and partnerships for the goals.

The Saudi delegation is taking part in thematic reviews of the forum’s focus goals, general debates, town hall meetings and ministerial segments.

The Kingdom is also holding a side event, “Rethinking SDG Delivery Through Prioritization and Implementation Approaches,” alongside an exhibition titled “Advancing Sustainability in Saudi Arabia,” showcasing national initiatives and achievements.

HLPF is held annually under the auspices of the UN Economic and Social Council.