Inaugration Ceremony of the National Recommendations Tracking Database (NRTD)

Your Excellency Dr. Awwad bin Saleh Al-Awwad,



Distinguished Guests,

I am pleased to be here with you today to mark the launch of the National Recommendations Tracking Database in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

All Member States are now reviewed on a regular basis by the Human Rights Council as part of the Universal Periodic Review. Member States are increasingly engaging with international human rights mechanisms on their progress in implementing recommendations to fulfill their human rights commitments. The number and scope of recommendations have grown as new treaties have been created and ratified. Special Procedure mandate holders, on issues such as extreme poverty and human rights, have been created. 

We understand that the increasing number of recommendations has complicated follow up. Therefore, I am happy to see the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia adopting an advanced approach to track recommendations emanating from different international human rights mechanisms. This is certainly a step forward in advancing the link between the sustainable development goals and the promising Saudi vision 2030. 

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is one of the member states that, proudly, do not have overdue reports to the treaty bodies.  In addition, hosting the National Recommendations Tracking Database in the Kingdom will support the ongoing reform. This model will also accelerate the process and the work of the national standing committee for reporting.

The UN Resident Coordinator, along with the UN agencies working in  the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is willing to facilitate any needed technical support and will work to advance engagement and cooperation between Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Saudi Human Rights Commission.  I invite the Saudi Human Rights Commission to work towards a strong dialogue with UN agencies working in the Kingdom.