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The Sustainable Development Goals in Saudi Arabia
The Sustainable Development Goals are a global call to action to end poverty, protect the earth’s environment and climate, and ensure that people everywhere can enjoy peace and prosperity. These are the goals the UN is working on in Saudi Arabia:
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20 March 2023
"Founding Day" Virtual Gallery
The United Nations in Saudi Arabia celebrated 'Founding Day' by launching a campaign focused on highlighting the role of culture and heritage as enablers to sustainable development and Agenda 2030.
Saudi Founding Day marks three centuries since the first Saudi state was established, highlighting its historical and civilizational depth, celebrating its diverse cultural heritage.
The first Saudi state was established by Imam Muhammed bin Saud in 1727 in the city of Diriyah, to the northwest of Riyadh. The historic capital was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2010 and has been revitalized with a series of restoration projects giving visitors a glimpse of the old palaces and mosques.
The purpose of 'Founding Day' Campaign is to raise awareness on the role of culture, through heritage and creativity as an enabler of sustainable development across the Sustainable Development Goals, and to highlight how heritage supports environmental quality, education, inclusive economic development, social cohesion, equity, community well-being and resilience.
The campaign themes focused on the strategic priorities ‘People’ and ‘Prosperity’ and concentrated on mutual influences shared by people across all regions in Saudi Arabia.
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16 March 2023
Saudi Arabia submits its 2022 Report to the United Nations Conventions to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)
Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MoEWA) and National Center for Vegetation Development and Combating Desertification (NCVC) approved the submission of strategic objective 1 (SO1) of the 2022 Fourth Generation Performance Review and Assessment of Implementation System (PRAIS4) report to the United Nations Conventions to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) on Sunday, 5 February 2023. PRAIS4 report is a new approach in the UNCCD to building the capacity needs of the countries and combines cutting-edge geospatial information, technology, and services to maximize the value of reporting data, for better decisions and to deliver stronger evidence-based messages.
With the collaboration and support of FAO Sustainable Rural Agricultural Development Programme (SRAD), a suitable platform for assessing land degradation in Saudi Arabia has been identified and implemented. Following the reporting framework developed by UNCCD, the platform mainstreams the three sub-indicators for Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 15.3.1 “Proportion of land that is degraded over total land area” corresponding to monitoring and understanding the status of land cover, vegetation productivity, and soil organic carbon.
Saudi 2022 UNCCD PRAIS4 report preparation process
The report has been prepared through close collaboration of FAO, NCVC, and MEWA and was supported by five field missions to Eastern, Aseer, Makkah, Al Jouf, and Northern Borders regions of Saudi Arabia data set (Trend.Earth) and field observation covering seven land types (tree land, grass land, crop land, wet land, artificial surface, bare land, and wetland).
By applying the data to the framework developed by UNCCD, the assessment identifies land areas that is degrading, not changing, or improving. It has also considered the unique ecological and environmental condition of Saudi Arabia that requires adaptation of standard methods most of which work better in a wetter environment. From the analysis, 14 sites were identified as the most degraded, documented, and strategic actions to address degradation identified and committed in the Saudi Arabia UNCCD PRAIS4 report for 2022. Additionally, as part of the reporting, FAO has organized a capacity development session for the Land Desertification department of NCVC, to ensure that there is adequate capacity within the Kingdom for updates and future monitoring for land degradation.
Prioritization and commitment to address land degradation in Saudi Arabia
Dr. Khalid Al Abdalqadir CEO of the NCVC promote the engagement and participation in UNCCD. Speaking prior, the submission of Saudi Arabia report, Abdallah Alburaiki, NCVC Land Desertification Director General, said that, the center plays significant role in fulfilling the commitment of the UNCCD at this stage, and therefore Saudi Arabia looks forward to participating and collaborating with other entities for better management of natural resources in the drylands. FAO Technical Adviser for Land Desertification Control in KSA, Mona Dawelbait noted that PRAIS4 provides Saudi Arabia smarter and data-driven system for innovation in land degradation reporting. She further observed that according tp the global platforms and field visits, Saudi Arabia now has a comprehensive assessment of the state of land degradation within key ecosystems, has identified priority actions, and has committed to action to address the pressing land degradation issues. With the comprehensive reporting system put in place and the capacity built, Saudi Arabia is in a good position to move towards a net positive situation where improved land exceeds the degraded land.
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13 March 2023
“DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality” Roundtable Discussions for International Women’s Day
On the occasion of International Women’s Day the United Nations in Saudi Arabia organized round table discussions under the theme of “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality” celebrating the women and girls who are championing the advancement of transformative technology and digital education.
IWD 2023 explored the impact of the narrowing down of digital gender gap on widening economic and social inequalities. According to the Gender Digital Divide Index Report 2022, Saudi Arabia was among the top 10 countries in the ranking, based on indicators such as Internet coverage and affordability, programs to support women’s STEM education, and little-to-no gender gaps in use of digital payments systems.
The event aims to raise awareness on the challenges and opportunities Saudi women are facing with specific gender digital divide and to contribute to a better understanding of the necessary steps to tackle these specific digital divides.
Due to the significant investment made by UN, the UN Country Team hopes to leverage the commitment of the leadership to foster strategic partnerships with key national counterparts, so as to advance Vision 2030 and UN Agenda 2030 in line with a gender-responsive approach to innovation, technology and digital education can increase the awareness of women and girls regarding their rights and opportunities and challenges.
The events brought bring together economists, technologists, innovators, entrepreneurs, and gender equality advocates from government, CSOs, Youth organizations to provide an opportunity to highlight the role of all stakeholders in improving access to digital space.
To that end the objective of IWD event is two-folds:
Overall inclusive access and transformative technology and digital education for Gender Equality.
Accessible and inclusive digital solutions for persons with disabilities, with focus on women and girls.
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Story
01 March 2023
New opportunities for rose and aromatic plant smallholders for better production and livelihoods in Saudi Arabia
Cultivation of roses has been practised in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for centuries, largely in Taif governorate of Makkah region and it is recognized for high-quality rose oil and perfumery products. Although Rose farming is a small sector that has long-term established practices and traditions, its recognition and strong reputation throughout the country have a relatively high potential contribution to employment and livelihood.
There are about 480 rose farms with nearly one million rose plants spread over an estimated 270 hectares of field area in the Kingdom. Nevertheless, the yield is low and small-scale growers and producers need support to increase production and farm management to meet the market demand. Strengthening the supply chain, improving infrastructure, access to markets and innovative opportunities are critical for better livelihoods of small-scale rose farmers and producers.
Within the ongoing project on “Strengthening Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MoEWA)’s Capacity to implement the Sustainable Rural Agricultural Development Programme” (SRAD), FAO Saudi Arabia together with the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture and REEF is introducing a contract farming programme for rose farmers from Taif. The agreement will accelerate adoption of good practices and strengthen supply chain for Taif rose which can motivate other producers to adopt it for their farms.
In simple terms, contract farming forms a mutual agreement between producers and buyers made in advance to establish conditions in which producers are committed to the future delivery of farm products to a buyer under agreed specifications that can include prices, quality, and production technologies, among other mutually agreed conditions
The first contract farming between the rose farmers of the Agriculture Cooperative Association of Al Taif and Al Sakhri, an essential oil processing company, has been signed recently and establishing new linkages between aromatic plants producers and agribusinesses in the Kingdom. Under the agreement, Agriculture Cooperative Association will provide assured rose and other aromatic plants to the buyer who will also provide farming inputs, logistics and secure market access in return. ‘’Contract farming is one of the proven mechanisms and it can improve efficiency and inclusiveness for rose farming and marketing in Saudi Arabia”, explained Mr. Shukrullah Sherzad, Technical Advisor-Agriculture Marketing.
FAO is providing technical assistance for capacity building for sustainable rural agricultural development through increasing productivity, diversification and value addition for rural producers, agribusiness firms and other key stakeholders. Dr. Kakoli Ghosh, Chief Technical Advisor, congratulated and said, ‘’The ongoing Sustainable Rural Agriculture Development (SRAD) project will support innovative mechanisms to increase income and strengthen livelihoods of rural producers and smallholders of Saudi Arabia’’.
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01 March 2023
Princess Lamia Al Saud amplifies the voice of UN-Habitat in the Arab region
On her second term as the UN-Habitat Goodwill Ambassador in the Arab region, Her Royal Highness Princess Lamia Bint Majed Al Saud, the Secretary General of Alwaleed Philanthropies, pledges to “continue building bridges for a more compassionate, tolerant and accepting future.”
As the first ever Goodwill Ambassador for UN-Habitat in the Arab region, appointed in 2020, Princess Lamia has lent her voice to UN-Habitat with the aim of highlighting key urban issues, promoting more sustainable and resilient cities in the region and mobilising resources to address key urban challenges.
A Philanthropist herself, Princess Lamia has succeeded to support resource mobilisation for a number of projects, including adequate housing for the most vulnerable groups, COVID-19 response and climate action, spanning Iraq, Palestine, Sudan, Yemen and Tunisia.
Over 4,000 people are set to benefit from the Adequate Housing project in Aden, Yemen, after the rehabilitation of a targeted number of 600 low-income housing units. In Sudan, 300 shelter units were provided for vulnerable families, 35% of them women-headed households.
“I am greatly honoured to have been appointed for the second time as the UN-Habitat Regional Goodwill Ambassador for the Arab world. Our partnership with UN-Habitat will support our efforts to address issues around urbanisation and its implications on societies, economies and environments,” Princess Lamia commented during a meeting in the UN-Habitat premises in Riyadh on 20 February to reappoint her for a second term.
Princess Lamia also spoke in support of UN-Habitat at critical events, such as the World Urban Forum in Abu Dhabi in 2020 and Global Observance of World Habitat Day in 2020. In addition, she supported the promotion of the World Urban Forum in Katowice in June 2022 and the UN-Habitat Urban October 2022 initiatives in the Arab region.
“In the past three years during UN-Habitat’s cooperation with HRH Princess Lamia bint Majid Al Saud as UN-Habitat’s regional Goodwill Ambassador, Her Royal Highness has shown the utmost commitment to the advocacy for the UN-Habitat mandate to realise more sustainable, resilient and inclusive cities,” Maimunah Mohd Sharif, UN-Habitat Executive Director, stated.
Passionate about gender-inclusive cities, Princess Lamia, through opinion pieces, advocated cities free from violence against women and more economic empowerment and involvement in decision-making for women.
In 2018, Princess Lamia was awarded the “Woman Leader in Community Development Excellence Award”, delivered by the Middle East Excellence Awards Institute to honor women leaders and executives in Dubai, UAE. The Princess was also appointed as the first Saudi to join the UN Women as a “Global Champion” for gender data equality.
Goodwill Ambassadors give their voice and time to help UN organisations raise awareness around key topics and mobilise support.UN-Habitat is one of the specialised agencies within the United Nations system. Hence, the support of Goodwill Ambassadors helps the agency achieve scale and impact.
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Press Release
25 October 2022
United Nations Global Compact Network Saudi Arabia forms a strategic partnership with Prince Sultan University to advance the UN’s 2030 Agenda
The United Nations Global Compact Network - Saudi Arabia, and Saudi Arabia’s Prince Sultan University (PSU), signed a memorandum of understanding to form a strategic partnership to advance the UN’s 2030 Agenda.
The partnership aims to strengthen efforts towards advancing the UN's 2030 Agenda by engaging higher education institutions. The UNGC through various efforts seeks to enable sustainability in the private sector. Additionally, UNGC by partnering and collaborating with academic institutions such as PSU, it reinforces its belief in the power of education, which is also in line with Vision 2030, to narrow the knowledge gap among Saudi youth as well as strive to educate them on responsible business behavior and promote a concrete understanding of diligent corporate management and how a business can be part of the solution to the challenges of globalization and its impact on the ethical, social, environmental, cultural, and economic dimensions of doing business. Fundamentally, this partnership intends to not only expose students to corporate sustainability but also develop their business acumen and intuition to become stand up corporate citizens that consider sustainability part and parcel of a successful business enterprise. In essence, such partnerships, allows for the opportunity to prepare the younger generation to become future business leaders that are part of the innovative solutions to the challenges we face, and that corporate sustainability attempts to address.
Ms. Maryam Telmesani, Chair- UN Global Compact Network - Saudi Arabia, commented, “The strategic partnership with Prince Sultan University will definitely curate an experiential learning journey for students focus on sustainability. Through the partnership, we are confident about translating our sustainability ambition into tangible action in Saudi Arabia, inspiring the youth to lead as ambassadors of sustainable living.”
Dr. Ahmed Yamani, President of Prince Sultan University said, “PSU is committed to applying the UN SDG 2030 in line with Saudi Vision 2030. Our strategic partnership with United Nations Global Compact demonstrates our continued SDG commitment to work closely with international stakeholders and positively impact the community. PSU is truly proud to be directly linked to one of the milestone changes in the Higher Education System in this country, and that is the future of private higher education.”
Professor Mohammad Nurunnabi, the Director of Center for Sustainability and Climate (CSC), Aide to the President on Ranking and Internationalization, commented, “We are proud to partner with United Nations Global Compact, given their significant commitments on sustainability. This partnership aligns with our vision to provide the Middle East with quality education of the highest international standard, and our commitment to Saudi Vision 2030. We’re delighted to come together to provide tangible solutions to combat sustainability challenges and accomplish SDG 2030.”
The partnership aims to strengthen efforts towards advancing the UN's 2030 Agenda by engaging higher education institutions. The UNGC through various efforts seeks to enable sustainability in the private sector. Additionally, UNGC by partnering and collaborating with academic institutions such as PSU, it reinforces its belief in the power of education, which is also in line with Vision 2030, to narrow the knowledge gap among Saudi youth as well as strive to educate them on responsible business behavior and promote a concrete understanding of diligent corporate management and how a business can be part of the solution to the challenges of globalization and its impact on the ethical, social, environmental, cultural, and economic dimensions of doing business. Fundamentally, this partnership intends to not only expose students to corporate sustainability but also develop their business acumen and intuition to become stand up corporate citizens that consider sustainability part and parcel of a successful business enterprise. In essence, such partnerships, allows for the opportunity to prepare the younger generation to become future business leaders that are part of the innovative solutions to the challenges we face, and that corporate sustainability attempts to address.
Ms. Maryam Telmesani, Chair- UN Global Compact Network - Saudi Arabia, commented, “The strategic partnership with Prince Sultan University will definitely curate an experiential learning journey for students focus on sustainability. Through the partnership, we are confident about translating our sustainability ambition into tangible action in Saudi Arabia, inspiring the youth to lead as ambassadors of sustainable living.”
Dr. Ahmed Yamani, President of Prince Sultan University said, “PSU is committed to applying the UN SDG 2030 in line with Saudi Vision 2030. Our strategic partnership with United Nations Global Compact demonstrates our continued SDG commitment to work closely with international stakeholders and positively impact the community. PSU is truly proud to be directly linked to one of the milestone changes in the Higher Education System in this country, and that is the future of private higher education.”
Professor Mohammad Nurunnabi, the Director of Center for Sustainability and Climate (CSC), Aide to the President on Ranking and Internationalization, commented, “We are proud to partner with United Nations Global Compact, given their significant commitments on sustainability. This partnership aligns with our vision to provide the Middle East with quality education of the highest international standard, and our commitment to Saudi Vision 2030. We’re delighted to come together to provide tangible solutions to combat sustainability challenges and accomplish SDG 2030.”
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Press Release
24 April 2022
United Nations Development Programme Signs the 3rd Phase of the Project with General Authority for Survey and Geospatial Information (GASGI)
Thursday, 21st of April marked the signing of the third phase of the “Advisory Services to the General Authority for Survey and Geospatial Information” project between the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), in Saudi Arabia, and the General Authority for Survey and Geospatial Information (GASGI) to support GASGI in delivering its new mandate that focuses on promoting surveying and geospatial capabilities.
The completion of the previous phase was instrumental in nurturing the idea of developing the foundation of financial sustainability whereby the General Authority for Survey and Geospatial Information will achieve a high level of efficiency in all its geospatial products.
GASGI hopes to expand the availability and marketing of its products and to broaden public awareness. The core areas of the project include:
Geodesy
Geospatial Services
Hydrography
Map Production
Institutional Excellence
Establishment of GASGI Academy
UNDP Resident Representative, Dr. Adam Bouloukos, was pleased to continue this partnership , “The key objective of this intervention is to strengthen national capacities for effective geo-spatial surveys, generating national geo-spatial data infrastructure, and generating multi-purpose knowledge from such surveys to boost efforts in achieving the Saudi Vision 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).”
GASGI President, Dr. Eng. Mohammed Yahya Alsayel, also expressed his satisfaction with UNDP support, in particular the latest training arranged by UNDP and delivered by the Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea which received significant positive feedback.
GASGI Head of Human resources and National Project Manager of the project, Eng. Bader Althiyabi, “This project will contribute to achieving the objectives of the organization’s regulation Resolution No. (90) in the field of surveying and geospatial information; It will contribute to developing and building national capacities in the surveying sector.”
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Press Release
13 January 2022
Joint Statement by UNICEF Representative Eltayeb Adam and UN Resident Coordinator Nathalie Fustier welcoming The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s decision to resume in-person school attendance
"We congratulate children, parents and teachers on the reopening of schools for the first time since March 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic started.
“We commend the Government of Saudi Arabia on the wise decision and call for the reopening of all schools for all children.
“A safe transition for children back to their schools will inspire everyone. Children deserve to live moments of joy inside their schools, and they deserve to learn and dream for a better future through quality education.
“Evidence has shown that prolonged school closures, combined with inequitable access to remote learning for some children, including the most vulnerable, has had a devastating impact on students' learning, health and well-being.
“School closures should be avoided even as the new Omicron variant spreads. Schools must be the last places to close and the first to reopen.”
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Press Release
27 October 2021
United Nations, Sports for All and Fitness Time Centers Launch #Active4SDGs Health and Wellness Challenge
This year, we celebrate UN Day 2021 despite the continued challenges around the world caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has been not only a health crisis but has had economic and social impacts. While this global crisis has challenged every government in every country it has also been an opportunity for positive change and transformation.
The UN in Saudi Arabia joins forces with Sports for All and Fitness Time Centers across the Kingdom to recognize the opportunity for change by facilitating a health and wellness campaign #Active4SDGs to advocate for the Sustainable Development Goals through social mobilization of a country wide sport and physical activity through competitive health to motivate behavioral change towards Sustainable Development Goal #3, Health and Well-being.
The aim of the UN Day #ActiveSDGs campaign is to highlight the contribution of sports and physical activity to well-being particularly post the pandemic. It also aims to recognize physical activity and sport’s contribution to the realization of development, and to raise awareness on how simple everyday choices such as physical activity can support the transformation towards sustainability.
“Sport and physical activity are important enablers of sustainable development and Vision 2030 in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Sports and physical activity contribute to the realization of development through promotion of tolerance and respect and the contributions it makes to the empowerment of women and of young people, individuals and communities as well as to health, education and social inclusion objectives.” – United Nations Resident Coordinator Nathalie Fustier
Together the United Nations, Sports for All and Fitness Time Centers under the umbrella of health and well-being launch #Active4SDGs campaign engaging community to join UN Day challenge and demonstrate how people are powerful and active agents for change, and to meet the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, it is imperative that organizations engage youth, providing tools and resources that support them in their actions to create behavioral change towards health and well-being.
For more information on the UN Day challenge #Active4SDGs Click Here
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Press Release
04 July 2021
IFAD and KSrelief Agree to Jointly Tackle Hunger and Malnutrition in World’s Most Vulnerable Countries
Escalating hunger and malnutrition as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic is particularly dire for people living in the world’s most fragile countries. In response, the UN’s International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) today agreed to join forces to help ensure sustainable access to nutritious food.
The Joint Cooperation Agreement was signed by His Excellency Dr. Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Al Rabeeah, the Advisor at the Saudi Royal Court and Supervisor General at KSrelief, and Gilbert F. Houngbo, President of IFAD.
"COVID-19 has amplified the hardships faced by the world’s most vulnerable people, many of whom are now experiencing an increase in hunger and poverty. It is vital for like-minded organisations to join forces to combat this,” said Houngbo. "I welcome this opportunity to collaborate with KSrelief to ensure that people living in the most dire situations can sustainably grow, market and consume enough nutritious food.”
“This agreement is a further step to expand the partnership between Saudi Arabia, represented by KSrelief, and IFAD aiming to help many people in need and expand the humanitarian scope of Saudi Arabia globally,” said Al Rabeeah. “KSrelief is a leading humanitarian organization that has managed to build a wide network of partnerships aiming to alleviate the suffering of those in need. We look forward to building a solid partnership with IFAD, aiming to widen our scope of work.”
The two organisations share a vision of alleviating poverty and hunger. As part of the agreement, they will draw on their respective expertise and reach, and share knowledge and experience to jointly address malnutrition and hunger. This includes collaborating on the strategy, design and implementation of projects in fragile countries, such as Somalia, Syria and Yemen.
IFAD is an international financial institution and UN agency which has provided more than US$23 billion in grants and low interest loans to help vulnerable countries to reduce poverty, hunger and malnutrition and increase rural peoples’ resilience to shocks. In 2019, IFAD opened its Liaison Office with the States of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf in Riyadh to strengthen partnerships within the region.
KSrelief was founded in 2015 by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, to be the humanitarian arm of Saudi Arabia. To date, it has spent $5.26 billion, supporting over 1,600 projects in 68 countries with a focus on women and children, food security and nutrition, health, education, shelter, water, sanitation, and humanitarian and emergency relief coordination.
For Media Inquiries:
Mouhab Alawar
Arabic Communications Specialist, Communications Division
m.alawar@ifad.org
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